At least Laws knows his Turf
SO it is Brian Laws who will face a baptism of fire when Burnley face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday.
It emerged on Tuesday that the manager's job was to be filled by either out-of-work Laws, recently fired by Sheffield Wednesday, or Doncaster's Sean O' Driscoll and by yesterday's announcement it was fairly clear that one of the deciding factors was Burnley's unwillingness to pay the amount of compensation Championship side Donny were looking for.
Chairman Barry Kilby and operations director Brendan Flood were also undoubtedly impressed by a survey by Deloitte and Touche, the accountancy firm, which showed Laws to be the Championship's top performer in the results to budget ratio.
So far, the fans reaction has been unenthusiastic and although it hasn't filled me with excitement either (although it would have done when we were looking to replace Adrian Heath in the mid 90s), I think all Burnley fans realise we have to stand behind him.
There would be no point trying to treat the former Clarets player as, ironically, large sections of Bolton's support treated Gary Megson, nor would I want to.
We will stand or fall in the Premier League this season together and if Laws can instil some of his undoubted passion for the game into the team they will have plenty of fighting spirit.
He also has that Burnley past and we have to be hopeful that his own close managerial team, including his assistant Russ Wilcox, can blend seamlessly in with the set-up that had remained un-poached by Owen Coyle.
Laws has never been afraid to blood young players and the lynchpins of Burnley's own youth set up include Terry Pashley, Vince Overson and Martin Dobson.
They are not exactly strangers.
The last time I saw Brian in possession of a Burnley shirt it was the best part of 30 years ago and two of the right back's defensive partners were the towering Overson and, playing out his career with the expected assurance, quality and style, Dobson as sweeper.
I would find it hard to believe that the teenage Laws did not learn from the experience of Dobson during three seasons playing together, and although now his own boss he will not be afraid to call on Dobbo's know how, now his former skipper is head of youth at Turf Moor.
I suspect the directors may have had this in mind, with so many of Owen Coyle's signings bought with an eye on the future.
Now he's here Burnley will have to be ready to do battle with Sir Alex's men. It couldn't be a much harder start, could it?
- THE extent of Owen Coyle's poaching of Burnley's resources became painfully apparent at the weekend when first team coach Steve Davis went with him.
Davis is a letter-day Burnley legend, although I suspect that image is now very much tarnished and if it goes wrong for the Trotters the move might backfire (and the way Burnley fans are felling right now, they do hope it goes wrong for Bolton - even more than it goes wrong for Blackburn, and that's saying something).
The situation left Burnley (and me feeling) gutted.
Some balm to ease the wounds was needed quickly and step forward a real legend, Martin Dobson.
I can't tell you how good it felt that, at last, Martin Dobson was manager of Burnley, if only for two and a half days, King Dobbo a Clarets equivalent of King Arthur returning in the hour of need.
If we really could turn the clock back to a previous golden age, say about 37 years ago, and he brought his boots, I really would fancy our chances on Saturday!
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Weather for Halifax
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 0 C
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