CLARETS: War zone

Political pyrotechnics are threatening to blow crisis-club Plymouth apart at the seams.

Just put yourself in the smoking shoes of Plymouth manager Neil Warnock for a moment.

He is a man who relishes a tough challenge. He was combing the odd grey hair as he locked horns with Adrian Heath this weekend.

A week after Warnock threatened to quit, he is barely on speaking terms with controversial chairman Dan McCauley.

And a mile away from the action, midfielder Ronnie Mauge was under lock and key in a Plymouth jail, charged with kidnapping, making threats to kill, possessing a sheath knife and a firearms offence.

Who said football managers have it easy!

If that wasn't enough, Burnley, Division Two's form team, were in town and hungry for a slice of the action.

With the seconds ticking away and barely five minutes left on the clock, the busy figure of Paul Weller picked up the ball in midfield. His instinctive, raking pass found Paul Smith.

As Burnley's talented youngster galloped clear on goal, Warnock turned his back on the play, perhaps fearing the very worst.

His nervous hands gripped the top of the dug-out roof. He daren't look. This was it. Another nail in the Argyle coffin.

It was Smith versus Bruce Grobbelaar. A straight shoot-out. Raw youth versus experience.

The Burnley star raced towards the target. He chose power instead of direction and the ball ballooned over the perimeter fence and behind into the Clarets support.

Warnock breathed again and Smith, so impressive this season since Heath handed him his claret and blue stripes, was left to curse the opportunity that slipped away.

It happens to all players in their career and Smith should not be disheartened. He has already shown the sort of finishing he is capable of with a terrific strike at Watford.

But let's not be too greedy. This was the sort of fixture Burnley would have lost last season and I thought they were full value for a share of the spoils. Robust opponents, as Warnock's sides always are, Plymouth would have proved too strong a physical challenge for the Clarets six months ago.

They closed Burnley down and were a real handful from set piece scenarios. They used their long throw-in tactic well, using the height of Michael Evans to disturb the Clarets defence.

But Burnley are made of a sterner stuff these days. Heath and John Ward have instilled a discipline and inner belief. The players have begun to develop a good level a consistency.

If they are not going to win a game on their travels then Burnley have the armoury to grind out a point.

Plymouth, currently struggling for form, were the dominant force in the first half. Only a fantastic save from Marlon Beresford kept the scoresheet blank.

Tony James was already celebrating his headed strike when Beresford twisted and turned to somehow palm the ball over the crossbar.

It was a truly breathtaking save and set the pattern for a five star performance from Burnley's number one goalkeeper.

Beresford's handling was first-rate and he went on to deny Plymouth with several reaction stops.

The Clarets were forced to defend in depth with Gerry Harrison, Chris Brass and Peter Swan outstanding.

Just a word about Swan. He got a rough ride from the Plymouth suppport, but never put a foot wrong.

The home fans heckled his every move as Plymouth's faithful turned their anger on the big man.

It didn't worry Swan though. He seemed to relish the challenge and had the last laugh.

David Eyres saved Burnley's bacon, clearing off the line from the dangerous Evans.

But the Plymouth threat subsided and Burnley were the brighter, slicker and more aggressive side in the second period.

And, with just a hand from Lady Luck, Burnley could have registered their fifth suceessive win. Grobbelaar had to move smartly to deny Kurt Nogan's chip shot, while Beresford capped a superb display by saving Mick Heathcote's header two minutes from the final whistle.

And it all begs the question: Adrian Heath - November's Second Division manager of the month?

It's certainly a distinct possibility after the three wins and a draw from the demanding November league programme.

The only blot on the copy book, that miserable day at York, which appears, strangely, to have acted as a catalyst.

It means the bouyant Clarets boss could be cracking open the bubbly on Friday night.

And who would deny Heath his first ever award if the Nationwide League prize wings its way to Turf Moor.

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