Ugly win bumps us up the table

Last updated : 27 February 2008 By Kev Robinson
Chris McCann
Chris McCann - Man of the Match
It's been a strange one, this season, for a Burnley fan. We've made ourselves accustomed to impressive home form but very poor away form over the past few years - certainly since I began watching us. But it's the other way round this year. Despite picking up our third home win in four games, we have still won only 5 games at the Turf all season. And one of those came on the opening day against West Brom, which meant we had to go through 12 league games with just one win. Thankfully, our games on the road have been much more fruitful and it is that away form that has lifted us up into a position that sees us sitting just two points below the magic top six.

Prior to kick-off I believe the big chequered 'We Are Burnley' flag was held upside down in the middle of the pitch. Now, this may seem like a mistake but I am reliably informed that it was a ploy to confuse the players into thinking that they were not actually in Burnley. Then we had the fireworks, which seemingly are there to provide the same response. With the talk of playing Premiership games abroad, this Americanisation of the ground is surely to make the players believe they are playing over in the States.

Whether they were conscious it was Turf Moor they were at or not, Owen Coyle's men began the game the brighter of the two teams. With Ade as a focal point, with McCann and Jimmy streaming forward in support, we were camped in the Coventry City half for the first ten minutes, although we never really managed to create anything where it counts. The visitors had a few roams forward but we were generally comfortable and it was no surprise when we took the lead about 20 minutes in.

With regular set-piece specialist Robbie Blake sat on the bench, the role over corner-taker was passed onto easily our best crosser of the ball at the club - Wade Elliott. In fairness, it wasn't the best corner - it looked as though it was hit too hard and went flying over everyone's heads. It came back in, though and after two of three players had efforts blocked the ball fell absolutely perfect for Chris McCann to volley into the net from just a few yards out.

And it could have been two soon after. Jimmy struck a shot from distance but never really got it just where he would have liked and the ball was cleared away from danger. We were, though, still comfortable if unspectacular. The few times Coventry did come forward their attackers seemed oblivious to the offside rule. Never was this more clear then when they put the ball past Brian Jensen enthusiastically around 5 or 6 seconds after being called off.

Half time was when I really began to feel the cold. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Whenever it is as cold as it was last night, the team never seem to do anything to get us fans off our seats. Instead, we're sat still getting even colder.

The first half was hardly the most exciting 45 minutes of football you will see all year, but we had the lead and the visitors didn't look like coming close to threatening that. And after my stone cold pie the players were soon returning to the field for the second half. I presume Owen Coyle had asked his players for more of the same. The conditions were hardly perfect. The wind was quite strong and the pitch is at Turf Moor and it is February. The players were coping well considering, we could hardly expect a classic.

Chris Coleman is the new manager at Coventry after a short stint in Spain and he would have been expecting more from his team. You always have to be wary of teams with new managers. Newcastle apart, they always seem to string together a good run as the players attempt to impress their new boss. Even when they haven't played particularly well, it is not unknown for them to snatch the points with strikers being given a new lease of life in front of goal. I'm led to believe this was the case in Coleman's first game in charge of the Sky Blues.

And it appeared as though he had spoken to his team at the interval, although it could never be said they were impressive, they began coming forward more often and once or twice did look like getting back into the game. Steven Caldwell and Clarke Carlisle - two players who have only recently returned to the side - were superb at the back and Brian Jensen must have been feeling the cold as much as we were up in the stand he had so little to do.

Our first real shot of the second half came from substitute Mark Randall although it flew just wide. Soon after, Jensen finally found himself with something to do and he did it in the form of a decent save from a powerful Coventry shot, probably their only decent effort of the night.

By this point Mark Randall was starting to show his class. Every time a Burnley player had the ball, he was making space and asking for it. And when he got it he ran at the defenders with such enthusiasm, confidence and comfort that it was easy to forget he is just 18 years of age. It's clear to see that he is a product of the Arsenal youth system. He was unlucky again not to score when he made space for himself just inside the penalty area. He attempted to bend the ball into the top corner of the goal and it went only just over the crossbar.

Our second goal would again come from a corner. I remember not long since complaining how poor we were at set pieces but now we can't stop scoring from them. This was another corner, although it was taken by Blake now as he had come on to replace Kyle Lafferty. He swung it in and all I saw was a big head in front of me as somebody stood up and blocked my view. Everyone else round me cheered and stood up in delight so I decided to join them. It was Steven Caldwell celebrating the goal and the replay showed a good clear header to give him his first goal since joining the club.

With just a few minutes remaining and Coventry never looking like scoring the points were in the bag and we could relax. Brian Jensen had a smart save to make but that was it really from the visitors and victory was secured.

It certainly wasn't the best game I've ever seen but we'll take the odd 'ugly' win if it bumps us up the table. In reality, we won with little competition. Clarke Carlisle was brilliant at the back in his first start in what seems like ages. Caldwell was another top performer. Chris McCann was man-of-the-match for me, though. In a game that required steel and guts he provided just that. He remained composed on the ball and even managed to bag a goal too. Special mention also goes to Mark Randall, surely he has to start a game for us soon.