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| The new signings - Ben Mee, Kieran Trippier, Keith Treacy and Jon Stewart |
It's been a summer of change at Turf Moor and, although there haven't been as many new players coming in as we thought, the squad tomorrow will be somewhat different than the one that Eddie Howe named for the last match of last season against Cardiff City.
No fewer than seven of the match day squad that day are no longer with the club, and that includes three of the players who started the game.
Both Tyrone Mears and Chris Eagles stamped their feet and demanded Premier League football and tootled off to Horwich whilst Jack Cork, then on loan from Chelsea, has signed for Southampton in a deal that, if reported correctly, is somewhat mind blowing.
Only three of the substitutes that day are still with us. Steven Thompson was released, as was Graham Alexander, Clarke Carlisle is on loan at Preston in League One whilst Chris Iwelumo signed for tomorrow's visitors Watford.
Also on the departed list were Kevin McDonald and Remco van der Schaaf. Kev Mac has been on trial at Doncaster and Sheffield United whilst we can confirm that he hasn't been seen in the 110 Club all summer. As for van der Schaaf; we didn't know where he was when he played for us.
That's an awful lot of players to replace and Eddie Howe has admitted that he's down on numbers. Up to early this week the only new recruits were Ben Mee and Kieran Trippier, two young loanees from Manchester City.
This week we've signed Preston's Keith Treacy, a transfer that's caused all sorts of eruptions at Deepdale whilst bringing in a third goalkeeper in Jon Stewart. I'm sure there are more to come but that's where we are right now.
However, the squad has also been given a massive boost with the return of three players. Chris McCann did play the last four games last season but it will be brilliant to have him back leading the side whilst being able to name strikers Martin Paterson and Charlie Austin will be a massive boost for Howe.
And so to game number one. Who will play? Were there any clues last week in the friendly against Sunderland? I think the answer to that second question is yes, and I wouldn't be surprised to see us start with the same eleven who kicked off that game.
Then there is just the small matter of choosing five substitute. Howe isn't happy with that and he complained this week of the lack of communication at Turf Moor and the need to be singing from the same sheet, this after the club supported the decision to reduce it to five.
So take your pick from the subs but I think we'll line up: Brian Jensen, Kieran Trippier, Andre Amougou, Ben Mee, Danny Fox, Wade Elliott, Dean Marney, Chris McCann, Ross Wallace, Jay Rodriguez, Martin Paterson. Subs from: Lee Grant, David Edgar, Michael Duff, Brian Easton, Marvin Bartley, Keith Treacy, Alex MacDonald, Charlie Austin.
Our Opponents - a Watford view
This season will see some changes as we look at the opponents in the match previews. I've been involved in setting up a group of Championship club editors and we'll be working together over the season to pass information on regarding our respective clubs.
This week I've spoken to Matt Rowson who, along with Ian Grant runs the BHappy site. Needless to say the first thing I asked was his thoughts on the signing of Chris Iwelumo from us.
"I've only seen him play once in pre-season, at Wimbledon a couple of weeks ago," Matt told me. "He battered them, and looked very good but went off on the half hour with a tweaked hamstring. He's not played since, although reports were that he could have played in the last game at Colchester on Saturday, but we wanted to protect him.
"We're still a striker light I think, so can't risk him. He's a little short of match fitness I'd have thought, but will almost certainly start on Saturday. I think he's a good catch for us... we have good young players coming out of our ears, but they needed someone to play off."
It's been all change at Watford with manager Malky Mackay leaving for Cardiff. On that Matt was philosophical. "Mackay's departure was a disappointment but not wholly surprising. His stock was (rightly) high, and I don't think he could have achieved much more here given the financial constraints he was under.
"He took Don Cowie with him, who is a big loss... great engine, good supply line. We thought we had a year on his contract, Mackay knew that it wasn't worded securely and exploited that.
"I'm very glad that we've secured Sean Dyche though, who Mackay wanted to take with him. He's been at Watford a long time, had been Mackay's assistant and was by all accounts far from a wallflower.
"He's another former big scary centre back, but whilst Mackay went against type and had us playing pretty football with a squad that was surprisingly lightweight (somewhat out of character for a Watford side given Boothroyd's legacy... Shittu, Henderson etc), Dyche has already made a statement with some of his signings.
"Iwelumo, of course, but also centre back David Mirfin, a bruiser from Scunthorpe who'll probably be a backup, and particularly Carl Dickinson, the first proper left back we've had since Paul Robinson left for West Brom about 8 years ago. I can't see us topping the fair play league this time, put it that way."
On the squad changes, he said: "We've signed a lot of players and there are more to come. Cowie and Graham are huge losses, Buckley less so to my mind; a highlights player who Mackay had sidelined by mid-season.
"Pre-season has been iffy as much as that's any guide, but on the face of it we have a bigger squad, will be less dependent on the kids who nonetheless ought to be well able to step in, many of whom having played regularly last year (we used 22 home grown players in all, I think)."
And so to the team and how Matt thinks they'll line up:
Scott Loach - England goalkeeper but error prone, may have missed the boat to the Premier League, still adequate at this level.
Lloyd Doyley - testimonial season, hugely popular, brilliant marker but iffy going forward.
Martin Taylor - magnificent defender, ex Birmingham and Blackburn playing regular first team football for the first time in his career.
Adrian Mariappa - solid partner to Taylor, a little short for a centre back - unfortunate dismissal last season broke a run of 100+ consecutive starts.
Carl Dickinson -a 6ft left back from Stoke.
Mark Yeates - winger newly signed from Sheffield United - best spell was at Colchester with Iwelumo.
John Eustace - captain, leader and signed new contract in summer despite Derby interest.
Prince Buaben - perhaps our best signing of the summer. Ghanaian midfielder from Dundee United, but hasn't looked fit pre-season.
Craig Forsyth - left sided Scot, newly signed from Dundee, lanky, looks about 12, but showing up well pre-season.
Chris Iwelumo - you know all about.
Marvin Sordell - young, still raw, occasionally lackadaisical, occasionally brilliant. 15 goals last season, still only 20 - lots of rumours of teams sniffing around. Quick and strong.
Our thanks to Matt for his help with the Watford news.
Last Time They Were Here
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| Graham Alexander - his last Burnley league goal |
Burnley proved to be the winners last season when Watford travelled to Turf Moor for a Championship game, but it wasn't convincing and for some time it looked as though Watford might be returning home with the points.
After a drab start to the game, from both sides, we took the lead unexpectedly on the quarter hour. Lee Grant took a free kick in the right back position and found Jay Rodriguez who headed on for Chris Iwelumo to get in front of Adrian Mariappa to head home.
The lead didn't last long. A mistake from Clarke Carlisle on the half way line let in Don Cowie. Brian Easton burst a gut to try and rescue the situation but Cowie went through to equalise.
It was 1-1 at half time and had hardly been riveting football, but we did improve somewhat at the start of the second half. Unfortunately it didn't last and Martin Taylor, roundly booed by the home crowd as a former Blackburn player, got in a header unmarked from a corner and we were 2-1 down.
Brian Laws brought on Ross Wallace for Wade Elliott and the change made a difference. He'd already got a couple of good balls into the box himself when Chris Eagles and Jack Cork linked up down the right hand side and it was Wallace who got on the end of the cross with a powerful volley.
2-2 and by now we looked the more likely winners. Another ball in and this time Jay Rodriguez was pushed by Taylor. Referee Sarginson pointed to the spot and Graham Alexander stepped up to score what proved to be his last ever league goal for Burnley.
It was all up for Watford but they must have wondered how on earth they left with nothing.
The teams were;
Burnley: Lee Grant, Tyrone Mears, Clarke Carlisle, Michael Duff, Brian Easton, Graham Alexander, Wade Elliott (Ross Wallace 66), Jack Cork, Chris Eagles (Dean Marney 90+2), Chris Iwelumo (Steven Thompson 66), Jay Rodriguez. Subs not used: Brian Jensen, David Edgar, Andre Bikey, Leon Cort.
Watford: Scott Loach, Lloyd Doyley, Adrian Mariappa, Martin Taylor, Andrew Taylor, Don Cowie, John Eustace, Jordon Mutch, Stephen McGinn (Marvin Sordell 82), Troy Deeney, Danny Graham (Will Buckley 90+7). Subs not used: Rene Gilmartin, Lee Hodson, Josh Walker, Michael Bryan, Dale Bennett.