The Lancashire Telegraph’s redoubtable Burnley FC reporter Sue Geldard declared 2011 to have been the Clarets’ “year of transition” this week in her round-up of the team’s fortunes over the past 12 months.

Noting that when 2011 began Burnley was without a manager and suffering at the hands of a 2-0 loss at home to the soon-to-be-relegated Scunthorpe United, following the departure of Brian Laws – who had only been in the post for a year. There was only a little over two weeks left of the transfer window when new manager Eddie Howe came on the scene and snapped up new acquisitions Charlie Austin and Marvin Bartley in January. Sadly, the former non-league players were unused to Championship play, Suzanne noted, leading to a dislocated shoulder – and a season off the pitch – for Austin, and Bartley found himself facing suspension after he received the red card during a match versus Nottingham Forest.

It all seems like a world away now that both the players are back – and back on form! Suzanne Geldard noted that they have been “grabbing Clarets’ fans attention with some consistent, box-to-box displays,” although sadly last month Austin – who had become the team’s joint top scorer – managed to dislocate his shoulder again.

When it comes to players departing the Clarets, Suzanne noted the sad, if not unexpected loss of Chris Eagles and Tyrone Mears, while Kieran Trippier ended his one-season loan from Man City. Fortunately, the signing of Keith Treacy and Junior Stanislas has become permanent and, she points out, has led “to increased competition on the left wing, and no shortage of creativity.”

Other players who are due to leave in 2012 are Graham Alexander and Clarke Carlisle – who is due to leave when his contract expires next summer – as part of Eddie Howe’s policy to move towards a younger squad, while Chris Iwelumo is away to Watford and Wade Elliott is off to Birmingham.

Ms Geldard concluded that “the young Burnley players are benefiting from the experience of playing together and growing with every game. If Howe is backed again in January, the Year of the Dragon – 2012 – could be full of promise.”

Daniel Coysh