Everything seems to be going exactly to plan..!
SINCE penning last week's column the only phrase that comes to mind is "it can't get better than this!"
Short of winning the league again, qualifying for Europe or even a run through to the FA Cup final, of course, but that would be getting ahead of ourselves.
No, seeing off Champions Manchester United and Everton, who finished top six last year, is enough for a dream start to Burnley's home Premiership campaign.
Maximum points from those two games has not only given a practical start to Premiership survival, it has also given the players plenty of belief that they can compete at this level. I suspect the next two fixtures, away dates at Chelsea and Liverpool respectively, will confirm another certainty - that they have to compete to that level in every match.
They've certainly wowed the crowd too, particularly younger Burnley supporters – Todmorden youngster Jack Pickles penned Clarets Corner a line which went "Burnley, Burnley are the best/They will beat the rest/50 years, wow, that's a long time of waiting..."
As the club's slogan goes, we can "dare to dream", but these are tough matches indeed and ones in which chances must be taken (chances will be created, such is Owen Coyle's passing game) and the defence must remain focussed for the full game, however tired they get.
Burnley fans always believed the Clarets could get some goals in the Prem as last term they came from all areas of the park in the Championship.
So although Martin Patterson and Steven Fletcher have run their socks off and played an important part without scoring, winning goals have come courtesy of Robbie Blake's rocket against United and Wade Elliott's beautifully placed goal against the Toffeemen - quality strikes both.
An important platform for both victories was some ultra-solid defending. The mighty Beast himself, Brian Jensen, blocked everything in his path against United and in front of him he has a defence he can put plenty of trust in.
Steven Jordan and Tyrone Mears have visibly gained in confidence at full back, but the two central defenders are playing the games of their lives.
The hesitant Clark Carlisle of Christmastime has been replaced by the more commanding figure that was superb in both games against Sheffield United at the end of last season.
And what a signing Andre Bikey looks to be. If he can control the temper he famously lost in the play-off semi-final for Reading against Burnley, whatever fee (it's undisclosed) he commanded will look a steal. He only met his team-mates the day before the United clash but was a rock on the night.
If the Clarets are to get anything out of two phenomenally tough away days it will be down to them. As many Burnley fans don't really expect anything from these games, anything would be a fabulous bonus.
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Weather for Halifax
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North west
