Clarets Blog: Unexpected win lifted everyone ahead of Tyke test
7:52am Monday 4th March 2013 in Sport
By Andrew Greaves
Well I didn’t see that one coming! After a miserable run the last thing I thought we needed was an away game at Charlton Athletic.
Yes, I know the Addicks have a pretty awful home record this term but Huddersfield had only won once since the White Horse Cup Final (or whatever the record was) before duly snatching three points off us on Tuesday night.
Sean Dyche spoke after the game of this being the best win of his career due to the fact we were heavily depleted by injuries and we were going into the game without a win in six.
He also revealed he had asked the players to ‘man up’ and I think that is the minimum that was required after the ‘unacceptable’ performance on Tuesday night.
Tuesday was rank bad and Dyche rang the changes, not just in terms of personnel (much of which was enforced due to injuries) but also in terms of formation.
The fans have been crying out for a move towards 4-4-2 and finally on Saturday, that is how we lined up with Martin Paterson pushed up front to join Charlie Austin.
It is what Charlie has needed because since coming back from injury, aside from the goal two minutes into his comeback, he has looked a little lost on his own up top.
He had much more freedom on Saturday at The Valley and his goal was an absolute peach of a strike which I am sure will feature in many goal of the season lists come May.
I think it was also evidence of how much he has developed as a player since arriving from Swindon.
We all know how lethal he can be in front of goal – Saturday’s strike was his 25th of a fantastic campaign – but he is now becoming a much more rounded player.
So to is Kevin Long who has been a real positive over the last few matches, regardless of some of the results.
He’s had to bide his time but he is taking his chance with both hands and having a steady back line could be key between now and the end of the campaign.
A word too for new loanee Alex Kacaniklic who looks like he is going to be a decent signing.
He’s quick, has good feet and certainly in the first half showed glimpses of what we can expect from him.
He’s no stranger to Dyche having been with him at Watford last season and I think a new face will just help to keep things fresh, as much for the fans as the players.
The result on Saturday means that we go into tomorrow’s home game against Barnsley with a bit of confidence.
They were beaten at home to Bolton on Saturday and their form has been indifferent at best for most of the season so it is also a great chance to pick up another three points, as long as we don’t allow our form to dip again.
You cannot take any game lightly in this division – just ask Blackburn Rovers fans who saw their side 3-0 down before 3.30pm on Saturday against Peterborough United – but we should have enough quality to put the Tykes to bed tomorrow night.
