We can dare to dream of Europa spot
KATERINA LEE’S CLARETS VIEW
THIS is the season that keeps on giving, so you can forgive us for getting excited about that all too real chance at a spot in the Europa League next year.
Not to say that Watford away wasn’t full of its problems, but we proved once again that we will never give up.
None of us were sure what quote happened when Jack Cork scored the winner, but for once goal technology was on our side.
It’s all that bit sweeter to hear that Andre Gray threw a strop when he wasn’t chosen to come on against his former side, adding to our glee just that tiny bit more.
Now comes the real test this weekend, Leicester.
We can thank Newcastle enormously for making the game between us and Leicester six points rather than three, but we really have to beat them if we’re serious about clinching that last spot to take us on a European tour.
You’d think that if this happens, surely it cements us in seventh place and we can start really believing our hard work and determination has paid off.
The more negative / realist among us clarets argue that our tougher test comes with two straight games in a week facing Chelsea and Stoke away.
Fail to win these and we could end up eighth with no chance in hell, but there’s something in the air at the moment and we can all dare to dream again.
We also have a chance at retribution and ‘justice’ against Arsenal in their back garden in the penultimate game of the season, now wouldn’t that be a shock for all of us.
It’s been repeated countless times and even by pundits on Match of the Day who traditionally have ill feeling or no feeling at all towards Burnley, but Sean Dyche deserves manager of the season even for giving us a glimmer of hope at a European place.
A tiny budget, barely any money spent, a large chunk of the usual starting 11 out and yet here we are eagerly waiting to book our journeys to Italy, Germany, Russia, France etc, etc.
If we’re going to play for anyone in the next run of three games, we’ll be playing for him. No one can deny that Dyche is a revelation in this league, let alone at our lowly, largely ignored, unfashionable club.
We wait to see what unfolds, but we won’t be waiting quietly!