New start for Burnley FC striker Thompson

The 32-year-old Scot, who was brought to Turf Moor by Owen Coyle in September 2008, was given his first start in 10 months by caretaker boss Stuart Gray in the 2-1 defeat against Reading at the Madejski Stadium on Monday.

Since scoring that famous goal in the 2-0 Championship play-off semi-final second leg victory over the Royals and starting in the final at Wembley against Sheffield United, Thompson’s only league start came in the 1-1 Premier League stalemate against Stoke City at Turf Moor in March. Roughly translated his record equates to four starts in all competitions in 71 games.

And, with his only other starts seeing him feature in cup competitions against Hartlepool United last year and Morecambe, he admits it’s been a very testing time. “It’s really frustrating not being in the team,” Thompson said. “It’s been a long time since I started a match so it was great to start against Reading. It was a good start to the New Year. It has been a depressing time for me though.

“You’ve just got to keep focussed on trying to do your job. It was getting to a stage where I was coming on as a sub in virtually all of the matches and it felt as though there was no light at the end of the tunnel. Now with a new manager there might be a new start for me.”

Thompson scored 12 goals in all competitions during Burnley’s promotion season but the record summer signing of Steven Fletcher from Hibernian brutally limited his opportunities. The Turf Moor guitar hero then had a prolific end to the 2009/10 campaign, scoring four goals in six substitute appearances, but Brian Laws’ capture of Wolves hitman Chris Iwelumo following relegation from the Premier League again saw Thompson fall down the pecking order.

He said: “Having scored the goals at the end of last year I thought I would have nicked a start this term. Then I had a good pre-season but the manager went with big Chris. I’ve been fit the whole time I haven’t been playing. It’s almost remarkable that I haven’t had a start; it’s been incredibly frustrating and it’s felt like I’ve been knocking my head against a brick wall, but that’s in the past now.

“Obviously I would have liked to have played more, nobody wants to be on the bench. It’s been going on for so long and you almost go in to auto-pilot. A footballer needs to start games and play games and if your not doing that it feels as though you’re not doing your job.”

Iwelumo’s start to the campaign didn’t help Thompson’s cause. The imposing striker’s header in the 4-2 victory over the Blades put him in to double figures for the season, all of which have come at Turf Moor. And an intense competition for places has emerged at the club with Martin Paterson’s much-anticipated return from injury imminent and Clarets prodigy Jay Rodriguez in fine form. However, Swedish U21 international John Guidetti has been recalled by parent club Manchester City.

Thompson, whose contract expires in May, added: “Maybe he could have rotated it a bit and started me away from home to keep things fresh and keep the strikers on their toes but it didn’t happen and like I said it felt as though there wasn’t going to be any light at the end of the tunnel.

“Credit to big Chris though because he’s done really well and scored 10 goals so the competition for places has been quite intense. He’s a quality player and he’s doing very well. I don’t think I could have scripted it - only starting one game since the play-off final so it’s been difficult to stay focussed and motivate myself. Thankfully it’s going to be different now, hopefully.”

The former Cardiff City and Rangers man had been linked with a move to St Mirren after the national press had identied the forward as a potential target for manager Danny Lennon. But a start on Monday and the guarantee of a new face at the Turf Moor helm has invigorated Thompson’s hopes, and he’s determined to impress the new boss whoever it may be.

“The boys were winding me up in the warm up, asking if I knew what I was doing. I was really pleased with how the game went. I put myself about, I think the centre halves knew I was there and I created one or two chances. I was pleased with my fitness as well.

“But if I don’t get much football a move away may be something I’ll have to look at. I’m 32 and I don’t want to be sitting on the bench for the remainder of my career. I still feel I’ve something to offer. I’ll be having a chat with the manager when he comes in. A new manager will hopefully give me a fresh start and I’m determined to impress. I’ll have a discussion with the new manager and see what his plans are.”

He added: “When a new manager comes in everybody gets a lift because we can start again; there will certainly be a buzz about the place. Everyone wants Stuart (Gray) to stay on in some capacity. He’s a top coach and he’s got a great relationship with the players.”