Bold Burnley banish the fear factor

FEARLESSNESS is clearly the default mode at Turf Moor.

Burnley have approached their first ever Premier League campaign with a refreshing boldness and it is an approach encapsulated by Steven Fletcher.

It would have been easy for the Clarets’ record signing to baulk at his £3m price-tag, but the Scot is resolutely undaunted, having finally broken his top-flight scoring duck in this convincing win on Saturday.

“I think in the Premier League £3 million is quite cheap, although being the record signing, people expect things,” he said.

“But I am still young and still learning. I’ve got four years here so hopefully I can make a name for myself.”

Fletcher took his 53rd-minute goal well after Tyrone Mears sprang a quick counter-attack, although Birmingham goalkeeper Joe Hart admitted some culpability in diving the wrong way as he tried to second-guess his opponent.

Nine minutes later Andre Bikey, playing in a defensive midfield role, won the ball, shook off two markers, played a one-two with David Nugent on the edge of the penalty area and fired across Hart into the far corner for his first goal for the club.

Coyle said he had been thinking about playing the Cameroon international in a more advanced position for some time, but was able to do so because of the return of captain Steven Caldwell for his first match of the season after a groin injury.

“I have looked at it for a while, but I didn’t risk it. I’m not being smart because it has come off, but I believe he was capable of doing a job for me,” said the Clarets manager. “He has played the role before.

“When we sign players we do so because we know their background. It is nice when things like that come off.”

Coyle, however, does not want to see a repeat of Bikey’s somersault celebration.

“It is something we will be having a word about, because we certainly can’t afford any more injuries,” he added.

Substitute Sebastian Larsson’s injury-time free-kick was little consolation for Birmingham manager Alex McLeish, who finds himself having to justify his 4-5-1 tactics to critics.

“There was not a defensive midfielder in the five here,” he insisted. “Maybe we don’t have the right personnel for it, but I think this [theory] has gathered some momentum.”

REFEREE: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire) 7: No complaints from either manager, and quite rightly so.

MATCH RATING: *** Burnley continue to impress with their bright and breezy football.