Another week, another draw between two of the Championship title contenders in 3rd-placed Burnley & 1st-placed Leeds United at Turf Moor. The good news is that Burnley is still three points away off top spot with Sheffield United standing in the way by one place & point behind in 2nd, so still plenty of time as of Matchday 29/46 + a bit more if they end up outside the Top 2.
It would be awesome if Scott Parker can add that Championship trophy to his silverware cabinet like the Leeds manager (Daniel Farke) has done twice before when he was managing Norwich City (although his record at the PL wasn’t great much like Parker) so he can complete his hat-trick of Championship honours 1 (champion), 2 (runner-up), 3 (play-off winner).
However, it’s been frustrating and insipid at times when it comes to Burnley’s final third attacking play unlike Leeds and even Sheffield United except their defensive record including the goalie James Trafford is ever so strong. They wish they could do that more often like the Plymouth Argyle game last week 5-0 but then Burnley would rather hope for the best for a draw, especially when it’s against a top side.
Yes, the January transfer window isn’t the best time as always but it can also be a good time to make a few changes that could hopefully help them with the distance on the road towards May & be accepted back in the Premier League.
So far two of the signings they made were free transfers on short term deals with another being a young right back from Denmark while a few have already left to get more minutes on-loan.
They could’ve also done any better when it comes to signing right winger Morgan Whittaker who did extremely well at Plymouth Argyle last season but again, it seems Burnley weren’t serious enough to get over the line at all and Middlesbrough won that race instead. Although you can tell he had attitude issues having declined to play v Burnley the other day just 48 hours before he joined Boro for £6m + another £2m in add-ons.
You never know what could happen like they did by surprise lately going into deadline day. Even if they don’t sign more after January 31, maybe giving Mike Tresor a chance initially as a sub in the second tier while starting out for their next FA Cup game v Southampton would be great – as he still has something to offer despite his setbacks in last recent months.
Burnley will be back a few days later this weekend on the road to Fratton Park v Portsmouth and Leeds return home at Elland Road v 18th-placed Cardiff City.
