Fanning the flames

By his own admission he was more of a pen-pusher than a front-line crew member but Burnley number one Nik Michopoulos still fits the bill.

And while it's a few years since Michopoulos combined his firewatch with his goalkeeping duties his revelation of his past employment confirmed the former Greek international as a man of many parts.

The 31-year-old is also a university graduate with a degree in physical education -- which means he may become a teacher when he hangs up his gloves -- and a keen tennis player.

But it's his goalkeeping ability that has made him a national figure in Greece and a cult hero at Turf Moor.

Michopoulos won 17 international caps during his eight years with Greek top-flight side PAOK of Salonika but when his contract expired last summer he was ready for a new challenge.

"I really wanted to play English football. The type of game here suits me better than in other countries and I like English football better.

"I had other offers in Greece before my contract had run out but I had already made up my mind that I wanted to come to England," he said.

Huddersfield Town had first bite at the cherry but after playing in a practice match at Burnley it was Clarets boss Stan Ternent who took the plunge.

Michopoulos was an instant hit, saving a penalty on his debut against Crystal Palace in the Worthington Cup last September -- a date stamped on the player's mind.

He followed that up with a clean sheet at Huddersfield in his first League game four days later and hasn't looked back since.

Michopoulos has since underlined his ability as international class, making some vital saves at vital times for the Clarets to foster a close relationship with the Burnley supporters.

"I'm delighted with that and it really helped me settle down," he said. "Burnley have a fantastic stadium and with fans close to the pitch it makes it even more passionate which brings the best out of me."

Michopoulos's home is now at Whitefield, near Manchester, and he has made friends in the city's Greek community. However, he shares the daily drive into training with Clarets winger Brad Maylett -- bizarrely timing the journey every time -- and is no stranger around Burnley.

For now he conducts his interviews with the help of countryman Nick Pongourou at the Atlantis cafe in town but is keen to try and answer questions himself and pledges that before too long he'll be talking to journalists on a one-to-one basis.

His girlfriend Agathi, who has followed him over from Greece, speaks English well and his progress with the language is helping him off and on the field -- where there have been few mis-understandings with the Clarets defenders.

"I'm still getting better," he said. "I'm getting better every game. At the start it was very difficult but as the games go on the players learn about me and I learn about them and the communication is better."

Burnley captain Steve Davis confirmed that defenders and goalkeeper are on the same wavelength.

"We know when he's going to come out for a cross and he knows when we're supposed to clear the balls coming into the box so there's a pretty good understanding, despite the language barrier," said Davis, who rates Michopoulos highly.

"I would go as far as to say he's probably one of the best I've worked with.

"Obviously Marlon Beresford was a good goalkeeper, Kelvin Davis at Luton, who's now at Wimbledon, was outstanding but Nik is very good.

"I think the main thing for a goalkeeper is presence and he's got that in abundance."

Michopoulos would welcome the final compliment as a trait he respects in his goalkeeping idol -- Peter Schmeichel.

"He is a cut above the rest. His presence is enough to scare a striker," said the Clarets player-of-the-year candidate, who includes Schmeichel's Old Trafford successor Fabien Barthez alongside his current Premiership favourites David Seaman, Nigel Martyn and Sander Westerveld.

Paul Crichton is another to get the affable Greek's seal of approval, although thanks to Michopoulos's form Crichton has been restricted to Burnley bench duty.

However, Crichton appears to be genuinely supportive of his successor in the number one shirt and the respect is mutual.

"Paul is a very good goalkeeper and a very good man. He helps me with everything and I would like to thank him for his help," Michopoulos added.

His reward for usurping Crichton from the side was a long-term contract which still has three years to run.

Michopoulos insists he will improve further with 'plenty years ahead of him' and wants to force his way back into the international picture.

"I would love to play against England," he said, although he fears the month-long gap between the end of Burnley's season and the June World Cup qualifier could count against him.

One way round that would be to help the Clarets launch an unlikely late sprint into the play-offs. "We have nine games left. We have got two difficult games against Blackburn and Preston but if we take some points out of those two you never know and we will take it from there," said Michopoulos, whose personal targets are crystal clear.

"I would love to go into the Premiership with Burnley. It is realistic but it depends on the ambitions of the club. It's up to them to show it."

For now, though, beating Blackburn at Ewood Park tomorrow and Preston at Turf Moor next Friday night would do for starters.

"It would be fantastic if we could get two wins, not just for the players but for the fans, the coaching staff and everyone," said the man who could make it happen.