Today could be the day.

Darnhill Claret · Post by **Darnhill Claret** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 8:34 am

Today could be the day when we record 3 consecutive wins for the first time this season and who knows how big we could make that number. After 5 games we had 6 points and since then we have steadily climbed the table. I would love it if we stay here until we clinch the championship. No pressure then, but pressure is something we will have to get used to and deal successfully with.

Top Claret · Post by **Top Claret** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 8:49 am

For a team who is top of the league and not to win over 2 on the bounce says to me that the league is competitive and average.

Our time as come as I think we are due to go on a roll of a 5 win bounce as we are a far better side than our opponents

Darnhill Claret · Post by **Darnhill Claret** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 9:27 am

I agree and our unbeaten run, our consistency kept us in touch.

beddie · Post by **beddie** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 9:29 am

It made me think last night that the point gained at Birmingham isn’t a bad point now.

warksclaret · Post by **warksclaret** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 9:56 am

What I like about this team is that we have players all over the pitch that can positively influence the result. Reminds me of the team that won the old second division in the early seventies. We had the stars like Fletcher, Hamblin, Thomas, James but also had players like Dobson, Nulty, Collins and Ingham, all playing a key role

Rowls · Post by **Rowls** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 10:01 am

beddie wrote: ↑
Sat Oct 29, 2022 9:29 am
It made me think last night that the point gained at Birmingham isn’t a bad point now.

It was disappointing to concede a late equaliser but a point away from home in this tipsy turvy league isn’t to be sniffed at.

Hipper · Post by **Hipper** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 10:23 am

warksclaret wrote: ↑
Sat Oct 29, 2022 9:56 am
What I like about this team is that we have players all over the pitch that can positively influence the result. Reminds me of the team that won the old second division in the early seventies. We had the stars like Fletcher, Hamblin, Thomas, James but also had players like Dobson, Nulty, Collins and Ingham, all playing a key role

Hamblin was an interesting player. Clearly a star as he had such an influence without me ever noticing he was there.

Who could he have been?

dougcollins · Post by **dougcollins** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 10:28 am

warksclaret wrote: ↑
Sat Oct 29, 2022 9:56 am
What I like about this team is that we have players all over the pitch that can positively influence the result. Reminds me of the team that won the old second division in the early seventies. We had the stars like Fletcher, Hamblin, Thomas, James but also had players like Dobson, Nulty, Collins and Ingham, all playing a key role

Interesting how we look at things - I would never have considered James and Fletcher being above Dobson and Collins.

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 10:36 am

I just hope Hendrick dosent take out the hate our support had towards him on us today..great player for us was

andyh · Post by **andyh** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 10:39 am

Hipper wrote: ↑
Sat Oct 29, 2022 10:23 am
Hamblin was an interesting player. Clearly a star as he had such an influence without me ever noticing he was there.

Who could he have been?

As a guess Hankin

NewClaret · Post by **NewClaret** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 10:50 am

Certainly hoping for 3 on the bounce today. Would love to go on & see us with 5 green ticks across a form table. But don’t think we’re ever too far away from a draw or defeat in this league - can quickly come tumbling back down to earth, especially without Cork, so not getting carried away. Will need to be on it today.

Targetman · Post by **Targetman** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 10:56 am

dougcollins wrote: ↑
Sat Oct 29, 2022 10:28 am
Interesting how we look at things - I would never have considered James and Fletcher being above Dobson and Collins.

Dobson was our midfield maestro and captain of that team. I always felt he was the most important cog in the wheel.
But everyone has their own opinions.

steve1264b · Post by **steve1264b** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 10:59 am

Does anyone know why we are playing Wednesday and not Tuesday?

houseboy · Post by **houseboy** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:00 am

warksclaret wrote: ↑
Sat Oct 29, 2022 9:56 am
What I like about this team is that we have players all over the pitch that can positively influence the result. Reminds me of the team that won the old second division in the early seventies. We had the stars like Fletcher, Hamblin, Thomas, James but also had players like Dobson, Nulty, Collins and Ingham, all playing a key role

And bizarrely our main rivals then were QPR. How odd. I remember us needing a point at Preston on the final day to clinch the championship as we were both already promoted. The point was always going to be assured though as Preston needed a point to stay up. One of the strangest games I ever attended. At 1-1 the final half hour was a pointless exercise as both sides looked to have no interest in going for a goal. I’ve always been certain the ‘result’had been pre-ordained.

But Burnley FC would never do that…would they?

Indecisive · Post by **Indecisive** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:02 am

It will be a tough game today I think, particularly if we are missing Cullen as well as Cork.

I’m hoping for the best but 9/2 for a Reading win is almost tempting. Hoping our team aren’t quite as complacent as some of the fans.

We’ve been doing well, but there will be some slip ups along the way.

Fingers crossed we do maintain recent standards and capture another 3 points

Goody1975 · Post by **Goody1975** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:02 am

steve1264b wrote: ↑
Sat Oct 29, 2022 10:59 am
Does anyone know why we are playing Wednesday and not Tuesday?

Consensus seems to be that Sky want the games splitting during the week over the two days and we have been moved to Wednesday (not our usual day) but with playing on Saturday at 12.30pm it seems ridiculous.

dougcollins · Post by **dougcollins** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:04 am

Indecisive wrote: ↑
Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:02 am
It will be a tough game today I think, particularly if we are missing Cullen as well as Cork.

I’m hoping for the best but 9/2 for a Reading win is almost tempting. Hoping our team aren’t quite as complacent as some of the fans.

We’ve been doing well, but there will be some slip ups along the way.

Fingers crossed we do maintain recent standards and capture another 3 points

Definitely not complacent. A different kind of challenge, the kind we've struggled with before this season. We'll find what we've learned as a team.

Goody1975 · Post by **Goody1975** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:05 am

Yes, we can't look at other fixtures but these two games (being at home) and QPR, Blackburn & Sheffield United each having two tough trips away, then this is our chance to really take a grip on this league going into the Sheffield United and Blackburn games.

Dark Cloud · Post by **Dark Cloud** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:06 am

Reading are the kind of team who are the biggest threat to us. Solid defence and happy to take the 0-0 if it comes down to it, but will also pump long, high balls up to the big lads and defending said long, high balls is not our strong point. Swansea tried to play football against us and got murdered because we're miles, miles better at it. Sitting very deep and putting 9 and 10 behind the ball and then sending over occasional corners and set pieces into our box will get a team far more joy.

claretspice · Post by **claretspice** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:08 am

There's a few getting carried away here.

Today is a test. We've struggled against teams lining up as Reading will at tines this season and we're eithout key players. Anyone turning up expecting a formality is in for a rude awakening I suspect and it won't help if that's the expectation in the stands.

A win today is a very good result. I'm not sure I'd even price it as evens.

mybloodisclaret · Post by **mybloodisclaret** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:14 am

claretspice wrote: ↑
Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:08 am
There's a few getting carried away here.

Today is a test. We've struggled against teams lining up as Reading will at tines this season and we're eithout key players. Anyone turning up expecting a formality is in for a rude awakening I suspect and it won't help if that's the expectation in the stands.

A win today is a very good result. I'm not sure I'd even price it as evens.

Disagree slightly CS. You are right in that complacency is dangerous. The expectancy in the stands gives the young players belief I think. It's great going to the pubs in town before the match, the positivity, the atmosphere it's great. That had gone last season but is back with a bang.

Belgianclaret · Post by **Belgianclaret** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:15 am

Today could be a day like the last two games - a comfortable win and we move on

Goody1975 · Post by **Goody1975** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:15 am

claretspice wrote: ↑
Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:08 am
There's a few getting carried away here.

Today is a test. We've struggled against teams lining up as Reading will at tines this season and we're eithout key players. Anyone turning up expecting a formality is in for a rude awakening I suspect and it won't help if that's the expectation in the stands.

A win today is a very good result. I'm not sure I'd even price it as evens.

I'm certainly not getting carried away, the facts are with Reading that they have a very poor away record, have taken a couple of thumpings away at Rotherham and Sheffield United and are the type of team we need to beat if we want to win this league.

Does that mean I expect anything less than a tough game where another team comes with the attitude of staying in the game as long as possible? No, but we also shouldn't build them up to being something that they aren't. If we defend well and stick to the quick movement of the ball to drag their defence about then I'm confident we'll be fine.

houseboy · Post by **houseboy** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:16 am

Don’t know about not too far from a defeat. Apart from 45 minutes last week we’ve never looked like losing, oddly including the one we did.

Neil6271 · Post by **Neil6271** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:17 am

Can remember us never beating Reading and it used to **** me off. Then I cheered up at the play of match when Bikey threw his shirt away. Had my wife with me at match and she thought it was hilarious. Think since then we’ve done well against them. Reckon 2 nil to the clarets today.

Claretnick · Post by **Claretnick** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:17 am

I hope the fans in the stadium don't show the complacent attitude that's evident with some on here. We need to be loud and supportive in what will be a tough match especially with some key players missing. UTC

RVclaret · Post by **RVclaret** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:18 am

claretspice wrote: ↑
Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:08 am
There's a few getting carried away here.

Today is a test. We've struggled against teams lining up as Reading will at tines this season and we're eithout key players. Anyone turning up expecting a formality is in for a rude awakening I suspect and it won't help if that's the expectation in the stands.

A win today is a very good result. I'm not sure I'd even price it as evens.

Not sure many are getting carried away. Reading through the thread it seems most are hopeful of a win but not expectant. I think it’s recognised it’s not an easy game although I’d say Reading being 21st in the away league table suggests this is very winnable. We are 4/7 to win with the bookies so your ‘not even price it as evens’ seems a bit off.

houseboy · Post by **houseboy** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:22 am

Goody1975 wrote: ↑
Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:15 am
I'm certainly not getting carried away, the facts are with Reading that they have a very poor away record, have taken a couple of thumpings away at Rotherham and Sheffield United and are the type of team we need to beat if we want to win this league.

Does that mean I expect anything less than a tough game where another team comes with the attitude of staying in the game as long as possible? No, but we also shouldn't build them up to being something that they aren't. If we defend well and stick to the quick movement of the ball to drag their defence about then I'm confident we'll be fine.

Nice post but I always fine it hard understanding what people mean when they say ‘these are the type of teams we need to beat’. Surely that is every team in the division. As long as we accrue enough points does it matter where they come from?

Goody1975 · Post by **Goody1975** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:33 am

houseboy wrote: ↑
Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:22 am
Nice post but I always fine it hard understanding what people mean when they say ‘these are the type of teams we need to beat’. Surely that is every team in the division. As long as we accrue enough points does it matter where they come from?

I get what you are saying but there are reasons why teams are at the bottom, in the middle and at the top of the league. It's generally how good they are, five of the seven away trips they have had have resulted in defeats, with fourteen goals conceded.

The example of not beating teams they should do has been Tottenham and Arsenal in the Premier League over recent seasons, they are likely to get turned over by the lesser sides where as Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City don't, that is why they have missed out on Champions League qualification.

houseboy · Post by **houseboy** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:38 am

Goody1975 wrote: ↑
Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:33 am
I get what you are saying but there are reasons why teams are at the bottom, in the middle and at the top of the league. It's generally how good they are, five of the seven away trips they have had have resulted in defeats, with fourteen goals conceded.

The example of not beating teams they should do has been Tottenham and Arsenal in the Premier League over recent seasons, they are likely to get turned over by the lesser sides where as Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City don't, that is why they have missed out on Champions League qualification.

Apart from Liverpool losing to Forest that is.

Goody1975 · Post by **Goody1975** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:40 am

Oh and one other thing, if we don't win today it's got absolutely nothing to do with people on a messageboard thinking we will win. The support from the stands will be as noisy and supportive as it has been all season.

The only people in control of the result are the players and staff and I'm 100% confident that they'll treat Reading like they are top of the league.

TheFamilyCat · Post by **TheFamilyCat** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:42 am

Dark Cloud wrote: ↑
Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:06 am
Reading are the kind of team who are the biggest threat to us. Solid defence and happy to take the 0-0 if it comes down to it, but will also pump long, high balls up to the big lads and defending said long, high balls is not our strong point. Swansea tried to play football against us and got murdered because we're miles, miles better at it. Sitting very deep and putting 9 and 10 behind the ball and then sending over occasional corners and set pieces into our box will get a team far more joy.

One draw all season and a -4 goal difference would suggest that they are either not "happy to take a 0-0" or are a bit crap at trying to get one.

Goody1975 · Post by **Goody1975** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:43 am

houseboy wrote: ↑
Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:38 am
Apart from Liverpool losing to Forest that is.

I said in recent seasons, Arsenal have found a way to grind out results this season and Liverpool are dropping points against 'teams they should be beating', that may be the reason that they don't end up in a position they think they should be, which is exactly my point.

boatshed bill · Post by **boatshed bill** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:55 am

TheFamilyCat wrote: ↑
Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:42 am
One draw all season and a -4 goal difference would suggest that they are either not "happy to take a 0-0" or are a bit crap at trying to get one.

Conceded 23.
However you look at it we just go out and play our normal game.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 12:00 pm

Expectations are clearly rising which in one sense is a good thing, but equally that can led to some fans taking this league for granted which is very dangerous.

Big test today especially if both Cork and Cullen are missing they've been the bedrock of our great run, and if we can win without either in the side that will be a big morale booster in my view.

We are top of the league on merit mind you and Reading after a strong start are slowly fading away, plus our strong home form and their poor form on the road suggests we should bag all 3 today, sadly footy is rarely that simple.

Chester Perry · Post by **Chester Perry** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 12:03 pm

Targetman wrote: ↑
Sat Oct 29, 2022 10:56 am
Dobson was our midfield maestro and captain of that team. I always felt he was the most important cog in the wheel.
But everyone has their own opinions.

and he would be the same in the current one, my all-time favourite Burnley player

ElectroClaret · Post by **ElectroClaret** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 12:05 pm

Chester Perry wrote: ↑
Sat Oct 29, 2022 12:03 pm
and he would be the same in the current one

Don't think his legs are what they were, Chester

CrosspoolClarets · Post by **CrosspoolClarets** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 12:06 pm

Seeing like we are trying to play like City we should take another leaf out of that book.

We go into each game confident we will win, get behind them, if we don’t win (which of course happens) we simply move on.

Firthy · Post by **Firthy** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 12:08 pm

We could end up 5 points clear today if we win and Rovers lose, which is possible as Hull have won 3 of their last 5 games. Looking at the form of the last 6 games makes quite interesting reading. Swansea are top W5 L1 and that was 0-4 to us which shows just how good we were that day. Norwich D2 L4 and Sheff Utd D3 L3 are both in the bottom three which is something you wouldn't have expected when they were the top two.

The more I see, the more I'm convinced we can win it and get promoted which I wouldn't have dreamt of before the season started. We are the most consistent team in the league and have good depth in the squad and players on the bench who can come on and change the game so I'm more positive now than I have been for a long time.

Tricky Trevor · Post by **Tricky Trevor** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 1:07 pm

I’m unusually negative today. Cork has been our rock when he has played. If Cullen is out also I’ll be quite happy with a point to keep the unbeaten run going. Should give us a chance to see Bastien alongside Brownhill for 90minutes.

nil_desperandum · Post by **nil_desperandum** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 1:20 pm

I'm also one of those who believes that Reading are the sort of big physical side that we are more likely struggle against than the more attractive "better" teams like Swansea.
We will need to defend corners well.
Fingers crossed.

TheFamilyCat · Post by **TheFamilyCat** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 1:26 pm

Tricky Trevor wrote: ↑
Sat Oct 29, 2022 1:07 pm
I’m unusually negative today. Cork has been our rock when he has played. If Cullen is out also I’ll be quite happy with a point to keep the unbeaten run going. Should give us a chance to see Bastien alongside Brownhill for 90minutes.

On the other hand, it would be quite a statement if we were to win with two key players missing.

TheFamilyCat · Post by **TheFamilyCat** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 1:31 pm

Firthy wrote: ↑
Sat Oct 29, 2022 12:08 pm
We could end up 5 points clear today if we win and Rovers lose, which is possible as Hull have won 3 of their last 5 games. Looking at the form of the last 6 games makes quite interesting reading. Swansea are top W5 L1 and that was 0-4 to us which shows just how good we were that day. Norwich D2 L4 and Sheff Utd D3 L3 are both in the bottom three which is something you wouldn't have expected when they were the top two.

The more I see, the more I'm convinced we can win it and get promoted which I wouldn't have dreamt of before the season started. We are the most consistent team in the league and have good depth in the squad and players on the bench who can come on and change the game so I'm more positive now than I have been for a long time.

There's a real chance that the gap between the top six will be a lot wider after Wednesday, which will be a real shift from how close it was a couple of weeks ago.

1882Clarets1882 · Post by **1882Clarets1882** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 1:39 pm

Big day for Muric.

Needs to command his area, particularly his 6 yard box for corners/ free kicks.

Come on you Clarets!

BurnleyFC · Post by **BurnleyFC** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 1:43 pm

Steve1956 wrote: ↑
Sat Oct 29, 2022 10:36 am
I just hope Hendrick dosent take out the hate our support had towards him on us today..great player for us was

Hendrick was a good player for us and scored some superb goals but if he was good now as he was then, he wouldn’t be at Reading.

He wouldn’t get in our current side, so I wouldn’t worry too much about him.

Ampth7 · Post by **Ampth7** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 1:46 pm

BurnleyFC wrote: ↑
Sat Oct 29, 2022 1:43 pm
Hendrick was a good player for us and scored some superb goals but if he was good now as he was then, he wouldn’t be at Reading.

He wouldn’t get in our current side, so I wouldn’t worry too much about him.

Cue Jeff scores an absolute worldie in the 90th minute

Ampth7 · Post by **Ampth7** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 1:52 pm

It might be a cliche but I’m going with the ‘one game at a time’ mantra.
Today is another hard one to predict because Reading will probably sit in with a low block (like most of our opponents this season) making it hard for us to break them down in the hope they score from a set piece, a mistake from us, or a counter attack.

houseboy · Post by **houseboy** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 2:10 pm

Goody1975 wrote: ↑
Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:43 am
I said in recent seasons, Arsenal have found a way to grind out results this season and Liverpool are dropping points against 'teams they should be beating', that may be the reason that they don't end up in a position they think they should be, which is exactly my point.

I understand bud. Just joking.

ElectroClaret · Post by **ElectroClaret** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 6:25 pm

Darnhill Claret wrote: ↑
Sat Oct 29, 2022 8:34 am
Today could be the day when we record 3 consecutive wins for the first time this season...

And it was!

AGENT_CLARET · Post by **AGENT_CLARET** » Sat Oct 29, 2022 6:28 pm

Also it's the first time we've won 4 games in a row at home since 2016