Well to begin with, happy new year to all and to all good fortune for for the year.
![[Image: New-Years-Eve-fireworks-1065509.jpg?r=1546273653627]](https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/1/590x/New-Years-Eve-fireworks-1065509.jpg?r=1546273653627)
Well now all that is over and done with, we can safely say that 2018 was a little bit mixed for both Town and Burnley, with town having the joys of staying up against all the odds, but take a look at us nowww we're just an empty space sat at the foot of the table... as for the clarets, they finished the 2018 season in the european qualification places, but the second half of the season hasn't been exactly to their liking. Firstly they didnt get far in europe but in the league they currently reside down near the foot of the table with the rest of us paupers.
But before we get back to the game, lets have a look at what 2018 brought for town..
January
January was, shall we say a very poor month for town, with the only win coming in the FA cup against Bolton. The month consisted of hefty defeats to leicester, liverpool and a thorough thrashing at the hands of West Ham.
In terms of transfers, it was rather quiet, with Kongolo coming in on loan from Monaco, but he didnt contribute his fair share into keeping us up.
![[Image: Huddersfield-Town-Terence-Kongolo-899234.jpg]](https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/67/590x/Huddersfield-Town-Terence-Kongolo-899234.jpg)
February
February was a rather better month for the club. A comfortable win at home to Bournemouth plus an important away win at West Brom, coincided with a replay victory over Birmingham in the cup. That month we also had a double header with Manure both finishing 2-0 to the red devils, although the cup game at home we gave them a huge run for their money
March
March yielded one point for the terriers, a home draw against a swansea side that played the bulk of the game with 10 men, yet town were unable to break them down. Poor performances at home to palace and away to newcastle also followed, whilst town finally lost at Wembley when a clinical Son brace put town to the sword.
![[Image: big.jpg]](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/static.anygator.com/static-anygator2/thumbs/uk/95/95e221f3483da63a61eb73359d04275bf31016e1/big.jpg)
April
April was a major month in towns survival all things considered. A valuable point away at brighton and a late late winner at home to watford helped town get closer to safety, although a loss on Meryside to Everton put a few doubts in town fans minds going into a big big final month.
May
May saw town pick up two points, but what a two points they were, a goalless draw away at champions Man City followed by a midweek draw down at chelsea ( the last time a town striker scored!!) saw Wagner thrown in the air in jubilation before town and arsenal combined to give Arsene Wenger a fond farewell.
![[Image: p066q55j.jpg]](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/976xn/p066q55j.jpg)
The less said about the summer the better, the recruitment was dubious, the friendlies seemed to show town progressing in the right way but certain things just seem to happen with town.
August
So August started pretty much how may ended in terms of fixtures, the results not so much so. A 3-0 home loss to chelsea was followed by a 6-1 way loss at man city. A 10 man town then clung on to a draw at home to cardiff, a game that town fans saw as a three points to kickstart the season. A glamourous own goal from bacuna saw town knocked out early on in the league cup to add salt into the wounds.
![[Image: 1019315910.jpg]](https://premierleague-static-files.s3.amazonaws.com/premierleague/photo/2018/08/19/885a1732-359c-4597-82df-bee6b3409e11/1019315910.jpg)
September
September was not much better either. A wilfred Zaha goal saw palace edge past town, although towns lack of clinical edge cost them in the end. A solid performance away at Everton saw town pick up a surprise point at goodison park, but that would be the only point that month as a 3-1 defeat away at leicester and a 2-0 defeat at home to tottenham capped off a poor month.
October
October was another rather poor month for town, however the performances in two of the games seemed to pick a few people up. A combative performance against Liverpool yielded a 1-0 defeat but the side probably deserved more than that from the game. A 1-1 draw away at tomorrows opponents showed some fighting spirit a Schindler goal seeing town equalise after a sam voakes goal. There was however a large blemish on the month, a 3-0 defeat down at Watford capped off the month, a game that raised a few doubts as to if some players wanted to battle enough.
![[Image: rs_20181027170517-1024x711.jpg]](https://www.clubcall.com/content/uploads/2018/10/rs_20181027170517-1024x711.jpg)
November
Probably the best month of this season, although there isnt much to choose from, it is the only month that town have gone unbeaten in (minus january) The month began with me just out of hospital, but i managed to make the first win of the season at home to Fulham, as scrappy as it was, it felt like something the whole set up needed. Following that came the visit of West Ham, and we performed much better than in the dismantling that we received earlier in the year. A goal from alex pritchard was cancelled out by a good solo effort from anderson, but a valuable point none the less. The month rounded off with a televised trip to wolverhampton, a game that most saw town losing quite comfortably, however an Aaron mooy inspired town ran out 2-0 victors, a game where we looked every bit a side that belonged in the top division.
![[Image: ?width=630&version=4359459]](https://img2.thejournal.ie/inline/4359459/original/?width=630&version=4359459)
December
Well december was a bit naff wasnt it? busy, but naff. The month began with town squandering a 1-0 lead at home to brighton, mainly due to Mounie being somewhat controversially sent off, however, the performance thereafter was very much backs to the wall, although it nearly worked, in a league this tough, nearly is never going to be good enough, as the rest of December shows. A mounieless town then travelled down to the south coast to play Bournemouth. Again another case of being nearly a perfect performance. Two early goals conceeded and it looked like it was going to be a long night for the side, however, after a regroup and a goal from TK, the side settled and looked like there was only going to be one out come, however, in what I think should be the story of our season, we just cannot put the ball in the goal when it matters. Anyways, to cap the week off we headed to the capital to face a rather rampant arsenal side. Another battling performance followed but another blow was landed and again we just did not and could not create the chances or convert them and it will cost us dearly. So we're halfway through the month and next up is the visit of rafa and his magpies, another game that we feel we should win to help us towards safety, but like i said the story of our season no chances taken and we lost on the counter and in all honesty it could have been so much worse. Easy bounce back? saints at home and another game where three points should have been a real possibility, but a dour turgid performance reminiscent of the Powell era and a 3-1 defeat all but ended any hopes the most stringent of fans had, to make matters worse a rather solid display in a formation fans have been clamouring for against manure was followed by the poorest display in years away at Fulham. We know what has been said since then.
![[Image: 0_JS160828680.jpg]](https://i2-prod.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/article15092160.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_JS160828680.jpg)
January
So here we are, the second of january sees us host burnley, our season feels over, Dean says we will fight them on the pitches, we will fight them in the stands, we shall defend our little town and its right to play in the top division (may have paraphrased it a bit, but that is the gist)
![[Image: 136674-049-AC4A506B.jpg]](https://cdn.britannica.com/s:500x350/74/136674-049-AC4A506B.jpg)
The transfer window is open and we appear to be willing to make moves to help us either this season or the next which is a positive note for me on both accounts, i personally think we should be signing young players that could fire us back next year, but could click and keep us up this time around too, we literally have nothing to lose anymore.
Burnley have been struggling this season and found themselves second bottom at one point, however last time out they put 2 past West Ham and made the gap between us and safety that little bit bigger, whilst there is doom and gloom around, it is not as if the gap is a million miles, it is possible but it will be incredibly difficult to do, there is no doubting that.
After the rallying call from Dean and the thoughts of the fans being aired, a game against a fellow lowly club may not be the worst thing as a solid performance and a largish victory margin, even a 2-0, then town fans will feel a lot more confident, despite Man city and liverpool both coming up. If we can keep positive in the stands and the performances match that on the pitch, i see not why we could not show that miracles can strike for the third time.
Tomorrow, I am hoping that we see a reversion to the system and style that got us here and start last season off so well, I'd like two wingers, and more progressive football, not just keep ball, we've never been big scorers but if we can create chances and take one we have a very good chance of getting something from games. You've got to score to win!
Players to look out for
Chris Wood- The big kiwi used to play for our neighbours, but where ever he has played, he has always had our number, or it has felt like it. Able to hold the ball up, but finish as well, our defenders will have to keep the antipodean striker quiet.
![[Image: Chris-Wood-866157.jpg]](https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/67/590x/Chris-Wood-866157.jpg)
Ashley Barnes- A pseudo austrian striker, never been overly prolific, but he has always been a busy body of a striker, presses and harries for as long as he is on the pitch, has a bit of pace and a bit of strength, he is someone that can force a chance out of nothing. Also the top scorer with three goals.
![[Image: top-half-stock-pa-18757539-ashley-barnes...0710180152]](https://e1.365dm.com/14/03/800x600/top-half-stock-pa-18757539-ashley-barnes-burnley_3105539.jpg?20140710180152)
James Tarkowski- A solid centre half that probably has aspirations of being at a top six club, especially with the current lack of top centre halves and the home grown quota which as an england international he obviously qualifies for. Reads the game well and is confident on the ball. Burnley can be confident that if he is on form, the defence can be difficult to penetrate.
![[Image: TELEMMGLPICT000142413186_trans_NvBQzQNjv...mwidth=450]](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2018/03/06/TELEMMGLPICT000142413186_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqYHaHRqZzVuMJAn8HN8r1s25xHFBv-aIg4TgE5NfOlH8.jpeg?imwidth=450)
Team News
Town will be without Mooy, Sabiri, Williams and Smith as usual whilst Van La Parra and Sobhi have both left the club on loan. It seems like it will be the same squad as the fulham game to pick from.
As for burnley, they could be set to welcome back robbie brady from an abductor injury, another player to look out for with his set piece delivery. It remains unlikely that he will be able to feature for the full 90 minutes so may be restricted to a bench appearance, although I imagine Dyche may not want to change a winning team, after making so many changes in order to get that result in the first place.
Well now all that is over and done with, we can safely say that 2018 was a little bit mixed for both Town and Burnley, with town having the joys of staying up against all the odds, but take a look at us nowww we're just an empty space sat at the foot of the table... as for the clarets, they finished the 2018 season in the european qualification places, but the second half of the season hasn't been exactly to their liking. Firstly they didnt get far in europe but in the league they currently reside down near the foot of the table with the rest of us paupers.
But before we get back to the game, lets have a look at what 2018 brought for town..
January
January was, shall we say a very poor month for town, with the only win coming in the FA cup against Bolton. The month consisted of hefty defeats to leicester, liverpool and a thorough thrashing at the hands of West Ham.
In terms of transfers, it was rather quiet, with Kongolo coming in on loan from Monaco, but he didnt contribute his fair share into keeping us up.
February
February was a rather better month for the club. A comfortable win at home to Bournemouth plus an important away win at West Brom, coincided with a replay victory over Birmingham in the cup. That month we also had a double header with Manure both finishing 2-0 to the red devils, although the cup game at home we gave them a huge run for their money
March
March yielded one point for the terriers, a home draw against a swansea side that played the bulk of the game with 10 men, yet town were unable to break them down. Poor performances at home to palace and away to newcastle also followed, whilst town finally lost at Wembley when a clinical Son brace put town to the sword.
April
April was a major month in towns survival all things considered. A valuable point away at brighton and a late late winner at home to watford helped town get closer to safety, although a loss on Meryside to Everton put a few doubts in town fans minds going into a big big final month.
May
May saw town pick up two points, but what a two points they were, a goalless draw away at champions Man City followed by a midweek draw down at chelsea ( the last time a town striker scored!!) saw Wagner thrown in the air in jubilation before town and arsenal combined to give Arsene Wenger a fond farewell.
The less said about the summer the better, the recruitment was dubious, the friendlies seemed to show town progressing in the right way but certain things just seem to happen with town.
August
So August started pretty much how may ended in terms of fixtures, the results not so much so. A 3-0 home loss to chelsea was followed by a 6-1 way loss at man city. A 10 man town then clung on to a draw at home to cardiff, a game that town fans saw as a three points to kickstart the season. A glamourous own goal from bacuna saw town knocked out early on in the league cup to add salt into the wounds.
September
September was not much better either. A wilfred Zaha goal saw palace edge past town, although towns lack of clinical edge cost them in the end. A solid performance away at Everton saw town pick up a surprise point at goodison park, but that would be the only point that month as a 3-1 defeat away at leicester and a 2-0 defeat at home to tottenham capped off a poor month.
October
October was another rather poor month for town, however the performances in two of the games seemed to pick a few people up. A combative performance against Liverpool yielded a 1-0 defeat but the side probably deserved more than that from the game. A 1-1 draw away at tomorrows opponents showed some fighting spirit a Schindler goal seeing town equalise after a sam voakes goal. There was however a large blemish on the month, a 3-0 defeat down at Watford capped off the month, a game that raised a few doubts as to if some players wanted to battle enough.
November
Probably the best month of this season, although there isnt much to choose from, it is the only month that town have gone unbeaten in (minus january) The month began with me just out of hospital, but i managed to make the first win of the season at home to Fulham, as scrappy as it was, it felt like something the whole set up needed. Following that came the visit of West Ham, and we performed much better than in the dismantling that we received earlier in the year. A goal from alex pritchard was cancelled out by a good solo effort from anderson, but a valuable point none the less. The month rounded off with a televised trip to wolverhampton, a game that most saw town losing quite comfortably, however an Aaron mooy inspired town ran out 2-0 victors, a game where we looked every bit a side that belonged in the top division.
December
Well december was a bit naff wasnt it? busy, but naff. The month began with town squandering a 1-0 lead at home to brighton, mainly due to Mounie being somewhat controversially sent off, however, the performance thereafter was very much backs to the wall, although it nearly worked, in a league this tough, nearly is never going to be good enough, as the rest of December shows. A mounieless town then travelled down to the south coast to play Bournemouth. Again another case of being nearly a perfect performance. Two early goals conceeded and it looked like it was going to be a long night for the side, however, after a regroup and a goal from TK, the side settled and looked like there was only going to be one out come, however, in what I think should be the story of our season, we just cannot put the ball in the goal when it matters. Anyways, to cap the week off we headed to the capital to face a rather rampant arsenal side. Another battling performance followed but another blow was landed and again we just did not and could not create the chances or convert them and it will cost us dearly. So we're halfway through the month and next up is the visit of rafa and his magpies, another game that we feel we should win to help us towards safety, but like i said the story of our season no chances taken and we lost on the counter and in all honesty it could have been so much worse. Easy bounce back? saints at home and another game where three points should have been a real possibility, but a dour turgid performance reminiscent of the Powell era and a 3-1 defeat all but ended any hopes the most stringent of fans had, to make matters worse a rather solid display in a formation fans have been clamouring for against manure was followed by the poorest display in years away at Fulham. We know what has been said since then.
January
So here we are, the second of january sees us host burnley, our season feels over, Dean says we will fight them on the pitches, we will fight them in the stands, we shall defend our little town and its right to play in the top division (may have paraphrased it a bit, but that is the gist)
The transfer window is open and we appear to be willing to make moves to help us either this season or the next which is a positive note for me on both accounts, i personally think we should be signing young players that could fire us back next year, but could click and keep us up this time around too, we literally have nothing to lose anymore.
Burnley have been struggling this season and found themselves second bottom at one point, however last time out they put 2 past West Ham and made the gap between us and safety that little bit bigger, whilst there is doom and gloom around, it is not as if the gap is a million miles, it is possible but it will be incredibly difficult to do, there is no doubting that.
After the rallying call from Dean and the thoughts of the fans being aired, a game against a fellow lowly club may not be the worst thing as a solid performance and a largish victory margin, even a 2-0, then town fans will feel a lot more confident, despite Man city and liverpool both coming up. If we can keep positive in the stands and the performances match that on the pitch, i see not why we could not show that miracles can strike for the third time.
Tomorrow, I am hoping that we see a reversion to the system and style that got us here and start last season off so well, I'd like two wingers, and more progressive football, not just keep ball, we've never been big scorers but if we can create chances and take one we have a very good chance of getting something from games. You've got to score to win!
Players to look out for
Chris Wood- The big kiwi used to play for our neighbours, but where ever he has played, he has always had our number, or it has felt like it. Able to hold the ball up, but finish as well, our defenders will have to keep the antipodean striker quiet.
Ashley Barnes- A pseudo austrian striker, never been overly prolific, but he has always been a busy body of a striker, presses and harries for as long as he is on the pitch, has a bit of pace and a bit of strength, he is someone that can force a chance out of nothing. Also the top scorer with three goals.
James Tarkowski- A solid centre half that probably has aspirations of being at a top six club, especially with the current lack of top centre halves and the home grown quota which as an england international he obviously qualifies for. Reads the game well and is confident on the ball. Burnley can be confident that if he is on form, the defence can be difficult to penetrate.
Team News
Town will be without Mooy, Sabiri, Williams and Smith as usual whilst Van La Parra and Sobhi have both left the club on loan. It seems like it will be the same squad as the fulham game to pick from.
As for burnley, they could be set to welcome back robbie brady from an abductor injury, another player to look out for with his set piece delivery. It remains unlikely that he will be able to feature for the full 90 minutes so may be restricted to a bench appearance, although I imagine Dyche may not want to change a winning team, after making so many changes in order to get that result in the first place.
![[Image: aO7W3pZ.png]](https://i.imgur.com/aO7W3pZ.png)
![[Image: 2ZJuVRk.gif]](https://i.imgur.com/2ZJuVRk.gif)
![[Image: Dv7UcDdWsAEiAtd.jpg]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dv7UcDdWsAEiAtd.jpg)
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