Clarets Blog: Internet boo-boys were left eating their words by Pato (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Clarets Blog: Internet boo-boys were left eating their words by Pato

7:42am Monday 4th February 2013 in Sport By Andrew Greaves

Two points lost or a point gained – that seems to be the main topic of discussion after a last-gasp goal from sub Martin Paterson ensured we didn’t had back north empty-handed.

Personally, while it is disappointing to lose a lead to a side rooted to the bottom of the table, any point away from home - especially in this division - has to be seen as a point gained.

I took great satisfaction at watching some fans on social networks eat huge slices of humble pie when Pato fired home his 85th minute equaliser.

As is typical of football fans up and down the county, there is a certain section who are much better managers than any of the 92 currently at the helm at league clubs.

Charlie Austin, who took just over a minute to get back in the goalscoring groove on his return from injury, was never going to play the full 90 minutes.

Yet some saw his departure with 15 minutes to go as a negative move by Clarets boss Sean Dyche.

Pato though came in an did the job he is paid to do and had it not been for a fantastic save in the dying seconds, he could have got another with a flick header that would have secured all three points and moved us within two of the play-offs.

As it stands it is as you were, still agonisingly within touching distance but with plenty of time to heave ourselves into the top six.

The trip to Horwich next week may have lost some of the spice now Owen Coyle has scurried back north of the border in search of work (isn’t it amazing how things have changed from the days he was being touted as a future Liverpool and Celtic boss?).

But Wanderers are a very beatable side and the local derby aspect should mean it’s an absolute cracker.

We have to go into every game with confidence and having Charlie back in contention will give us a massive boost (did someone utter the famous cliche of ‘he’s just like a new signing’?) and there is no reason we cannot go to grounds like the Reebok – where the fans are hardly known for their patience – and upset the bookies.

Talking of the transfer window, I was as relieved as everyone else when it slammed shut at 11pm on Thursday.

We didn’t do much in terms of bringing people in (aside from Dane Richards) but we managed to keep hold of the likes of Charlie and Kieran Trippier which for me is even more important.

We know there isn’t much cash about but it wouldn’t surprise me if Dyche dipped into the loan market once silly season has settled down.

The transfer window is a pretty dull affair nowadays with only the desperate (both clubs and players) willing to do business.

The Peter Odemwingie farce added a bit of entertainment but I am sure every Claret in the country was delighted when they heard the egotistical fool Jim White bring an end to trading for another six months.

Aside from Odemwingie pitching up at QPR, I have to say I had a little chuckle on Friday morning when I found out that those down the road hadn’t been able to get the paperwork through on time for a couple of what would have been quality signings.

Whether they managed to do anything over the next couple of weeks remains to be seen, but we will bask in their misfortune for the time being!

Funny old game isn’t it?