Laws had chance to make a (Theatre of) Dream start
IN one respect, there was no difference between Owen Coyle and Brian Laws's Burnley teams at Old Trafford last Saturday.
Burnley carved out some good chances but did not take them, and taking them will be the key to Premiership survival this season.
Additionally, I expect Laws to tighten up the Burnley defence and for a rookie pairing given a baptism of fire, Michael Duff and David Edgar, making his Burnley Premiership debut, performed well in the circumstances.
The Clarets played with plenty of verve and vigour as if it didn't matter that Coyle had gone. The chances that opened up for Steven Fletcher and David Nugent were good ones, and in the games Laws has admitted are now crucial they need to be putting them away.
First of these up is, of course, the trip to Coyle's new berth Bolton next Tuesday, which is certainly a "six pointer" and Burnley fans can't think of a better game in which their team could break its Premier away day winning duck.
Burnley's squad may have been strengthened by a new signing, probably on loan, of promising young French striker Frederic Nimani, although as I write it's not a done deal.
In the slightly longer term, Laws should effectively have three more players at his disposal with Chris McCann, Martin Paterson and Jay Rodriguez, all out since September, ready to make their comeback from injury in the reserves last Tuesday night at Hull.
McCann is a major player for Burnley and Paterson too had played a lot more than a bit part before his injury. They are unlikely to be at full match pace just yet but the new manager should be able to call on them soon.
Laws has also been recruiting additional members of his backroom team this week with Stuart Gray possessing valuable experience from his time at Southampton's helm.
After the trauma of the last fortnight there has been little beating about the bush and Laws also has the luxury of being able to test his team in the FA Cup fourth round at Reading on Saturday ahead of the Bolton clash which has taken on much more significance in more ways than one.
No-one needs reminding what a happy hunting ground the Madejski Stadium was for the Clarets the last time they visited there in last May's Championship play-off semi-final.
Strikes like those produced by Martin Paterson and Steve Thompson would be most welcome again if Burnley are to progress in the cup. I am sure Laws and his team will be focussed on going through.
But the travelling support will have at least half an eye on the shorter trip across Lancashire on Tuesday...
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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: 3 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
