Notts County 1 Burnley 1 - Tony Dewhurst's big match verdict

IS ADRIAN Heath operating with his hands tied firmly behind his back?

It is a perplexing question many fans will be asking today as Burnley deliberate on another season in the bread and butter land of Division Two.

The result at Meadow Lane only confirmed what many Burnley supporters had known for at least a fortnight. Now key decisions will have to be formulated at Turf Moor before Burnley lock horns with Carlisle, Oldham and Wigan next August.

Revealingly, the Clarets have one of the finest records against the top sides in Division Two, but one the most abject against the bottom six clubs.

And surely that tells Heath something about the mental strengths of certain members of his squad.

That factor was once again highlighted at Meadow Lane as a late equaliser rescued Burnley from further embarrassment with the despair of Wycombe, Shrewsbury and Rotherham still fresh in the memory.

The Clarets game plan was blown apart after 18 minutes when Andy Cooke was shown the red card in controversial circumstances.

The rookie striker got his marching orders for head-butting County defender Ian Baraclough in a moment which cost Burnley any genuine chance of victory.

Notts County carved out the first half opportunities in what could only be described as a tepid 45 minutes. Burnley tested goalkeeper Darren Ward just once after 40 seconds, David Eyres going close with a stinging drive.

Only some woeful finishing at the other end denied County a first half advantage. Marlon Beresford, still battling through the pain barrier with a troublesome groin injury, produced a smart reaction save to deny skipper Gary Strodder. But Burnley forced their way back into the picture and Gary Parkinson powered a header inches wide before Paul Weller lobbed a shot against the woodwork after keeper Ward had dropped the ball under pressure.

County, though, forged ahead on 66 minutes. A clumsy Paul Barnes foul on Ian Hendon gave County a free-kick. Hendon swung in the advantage, and Strodder was well positioned to head the ball over the Clarets defence and into the path of Craig Dudley.

The youngster kept his cool to fire a crisp shot past Beresford from 12 yards out. Gary Jones then went close again for County with a shot hitting the crossbar.

Then, deep into injury-time, resilient Burnley captured a share of the spoils. With the pressure mounting on the home defence, Paul Smith's effort was diverted for a corner.

Damian Matthew's inswinging corner struck Shaun Derry and a slight deflection was all that was needed to beat the helpless Ward.

A justifiable share of the points for Burnley. Now the arduous work starts in earnest for Adrian Heath as he formulates his Turf Moor policy for next season.

And the first step will be taken next month when Adrian Heath sits down with the Turf Moor board of directors to thrash out his retained list and a Clarets manifesto for the future.

That meeting, I believe, could shape the policy and assumed ambitions of this football club into the next century.

Heath has made it abundantly clear that he is ready to make sweeping changes at senior staff level and has earmarked the players he wants to bring to the club, and the ones he wants to oust. Heath observed: "As I said to the players before the game, there was a lot more at stake than three points for a lot of the squad at Notts County. There are people playing for their futures with Burnley.

"There are important decisions to be made at this football club. I should have a clearer picture who will be staying at the club and who will be leaving very soon.

"I want to bring people in but, at the same time, I recognise that we have got to work within certain guidelines and budgets."

If that is the scenario facing Heath, then the manager, despite the obvious development made under his tutelage, has to confront a major and deep-seated predicament.

If a substantial financial commitment is not forthcoming, then, realistically, it is difficult to see how Burnley can take another major step forward.

Of course, it is easy to lose sight of the progress made under Heath's regime. In a year he has transformed the club from relegation fodder to potential play-off challengers. A noteworthy achievement, recognised by a vast majority of avid Turf Moor watchers.

Only a destructive slump in league form since Easter, when Burnley lost direction on the final lap, has denied the Clarets a top six berth. But, I believe, without at least FOUR quality additions to the squad, then Burnley fans could easily be facing the same dilemma a year from now.

While other Lancashire rivals have invested heavily in their quest for First Division football, take a look down the road at Wigan and Preston, Heath's one major signing in 15 months is Paul Barnes for £375,000.

In turn, Heath has worked diligently to reduce the age of a maturing squad with the infusion of youth.

Andy Cooke, Paul Weller, Paul Smith and Chris Brass have all earned their stripes this season, with Brass now one of the most accomplished young defenders at this level of football.

But, critically, Heath must be allowed to play the transfer market to add experience to the future of the club and bring in the players HE wants at Turf Moor.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.