Stock impressed by Pashley – even if manager doesn’t know who he is (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Stock impressed by Pashley – even if manager doesn’t know who he is

8:27am Friday 26th October 2012 in Football By Suzanne Geldard, Burnley FC reporter

EVEN at the age of 55 and after more than 20 years at Burnley Football Club as coach and player Terry Pashley admits his football education is expanding every day.

Taking charge of the first team has been a learning curve for the former right back, yet he goes to Cardiff tomorrow with a 100 per cent record after two games.

Pashley admitted his mind was racing over his substitution selections as they looked to protect a 1-0 lead over Blackpool, successfully, on Saturday.

He went through a rollercoaster of emotions at Bristol City on Tuesday night as a 3-1 lead was pegged back to 3-3, before Chris McCann’s last minute stoppage time winner.

Remembering names though, it would seem, has been one of the tougher challenges.

“Pash called me George the first time I met him! He thought I was George Porter,” said midfielder Brian Stock.

“We didn’t get off on the right foot, I walked off and he came over and apologised! The first five minutes of me meeting him weren’t very good, but we had a laugh about it.

“He said I had a baby face, and I took it lightly in the end.

“At first it was hard to take, but we get on really well. I really like him. It lightened the mood and we had a joke about it.”

Stock makes light of it now. But perhaps it has helped that, since that awkward introduction, the 30-year-old has been reintroduced to the side.

The former Doncaster midfielder was signed by Eddie Howe just before the start of the season, but only played his first back-to-back league games after the 34-year-old left Burnley to return to Bournemouth.

“I've had a chance to play more games and I’m delighted. I didn’t come here to make up the numbers and sit on the bench, I feel I can offer the team and the league something,” said the midfielder, who has buffered the backline in the holding role.

“I still feel fit and healthy and have plenty more games in me.

“I’ve never let my standards drop in training, if you start sulking you get further down the pecking order. I played Saturday-Tuesday last year, I wanted to come here and said to Eddie I can prove him wrong.

“I didn't play two consecutive games under him, but I know what I can do, although I respect his decision.”

Stock has the chance to make it three consecutive starts tomorrow.

And after securing back-to-back league wins for the first time this term this week, he doesn’t see any reason why that pattern can’t continue in the Principality either, despite Cardiff setting a new club record with their six-game unbeaten home start.

“To go and get a clean sheet and defend really well against Blackpool, and again on Tuesday, even though we conceded three goals, you have to take a lot of heart, and we need to build on that,” he said.

“Cardiff is a very tough place to go and get a result, they’ve got a strong squad, a good manager and they will be there or thereabouts, so it’s going to be very tough, but we can go there full of confidence.

“Charlie can’t stop scoring so we’ve always got a goal threat, and we’re starting to look more solid at the back.

“We think we can get promoted, definitely top six, so this is the sort of test you need to come through.

“We’ve got a bit of momentum and I don’t see why we can’t carry it on.”

Although there is relative uncertainty while the manager situation remains unresolved, Stock is confident that the squad remains in good hands.

“Pash needs credit for coming in and doing what he’s done in a short space of time, the stuff he’s said on the training pitch the lads have taken on board, and in the dressing room everyone’s listened,” he explained.

“We’ve all stuck together as professionals, because that’s what we get paid to do at a big club like Burnley. We have to move on, and I think that’s evident.

“For the long run you want something settled, but Pash, Faz (Andy Farrell) and Blakey (Jason Blake) have done a good job.

“They have two wins out of two so I’m sure the board aren’t in any rush. We’ve done all we can as players, so it’s over to them to decide what’s best for Burnley’s future.”

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