The Price of Success?

There is no doubt that Clarets fans are enjoying the Club`s best season in ages. We are currently riding high in the Championship in 4th spot and have captured the media`s attention after beating two of the big four Premier League darlings in Chelsea and Arsenal in the Carling Cup to reach our first cup semi-final in 25 years.

Owen Coyle continues to pick up awards for his stewardship and has even overturned the taboo of winning the Manager of the Month award by his exploits in the Carling Cup and advancement in the Championship to try and secure a play-offs spot.

But of course our success also reaches the attention of our competitors and the press this week have been fuelling some wild speculation about possible moves for both our manager and some of our players.

With the January Transfer Window nearly upon us, will we be a buying or selling club in these days of the credit crunch?

Normally, we lose key players over this period and in other windows and over relatively recent times have lost Blake, Chaplow, Akinbiyi, Gray and Lafferty. With the possible exception of Laffety all these transfers away from Turf Moor hurt at the time and Clarets fans will be eager to know if anything has changed this time round.

Already the player speculation has started with rumours that both Chris McCann and Chris Eagles are interesting other clubs, some in the Premier League.

Chris McCann is understood to be interesting Newcastle whilst West Brom, currently bottom of the Premier League have had their scouts watching Chris Eagles.

Of course, we should hold onto these key players if we are to stand any chance of reaching Nirvana next season but this could be a testing time for the club who are still in some financial plight despite a reduction in losses. Like everybody else too the club are also feeling the pinch of the downturn in the worldwide economy.

Even if they could resist the temptation of the cash, we know to our cost that if players want to leave the club seduced by a chance of playing in the top flight they could hold the club to ransom and get what they want (Shades of Gray and Lafferty)

Clarets fans could be disappointed by the outcome of any moves in the transfer window and we just have to hope that the Club`s resolve to keep the players wins out.

Well that`s the players but there is even speculation in the media today that those damn Barstewards down the road might be tempted to poach our manager. Today`s News of the World carried the rumour so make of that what you will.

The current gaffer at Deadwood, Paul Ince of course has been successful in recent times by ensuring that Blackburn Rovers are now a bottom three fixture.

This has delighted Clarets fans so let`s hope he maintains this magnificent form and we can swop places come May 2009.

Would Owen Coyle be tempted to move down the M65 and become the manager of our bitterest rivals? What a knife in the back that would be. We shall just have to hope that the rumour earlier in the week suggesting a possible move back for Graeme Souness is more to Blackburn`s way of thinking although come on give Paul Ince a chance to relegate the club first!

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