The Clarets start their FA Cup campaign today and face Premier League opposition in a tricky third round game against Southampton down in Hampshire.
The Pre-amble:
Burnley take a break from their Championship campaign today with a third round FA Cup tie against Premier League, Southampton at St Marys. This will be one tough game with the Saints currently 9th in the top flight table. The Saints` form though has suffered in recent times considering at one point they were third in the table. Mauricio Pochettino`s men have only managed one win in nine games but they will still be tough opposition for the Clarets. If Burnley do manage an upset it will continue the good start to 2014 following their New Year`s Day Championship victory over Huddersfield at Turf Moor on Wednesday. Probably though not many fans will be too upset if we get knocked out at the first hurdle with clearly our automatic promotion challenge of greater priority.
Southampton Team News:
Southampton’s club-record signing Dani Osvaldo is sidelined after having been found guilty of violent conduct following his part in a touchline fracas in the draw at Newcastle. The striker picked up a three match suspension as well as being fined £40,000. Nathaniel Clyne and James Ward-Prowse however are likely to be involved after coming through knocks.
Player to watch: Jay Rodriguez
A pretty obvious choice! Jay will be lining up against his former colleagues for the first time since his transfer to Southampton in the summer of 2012. Since that time of course `one of our own` has become a full England international and is scoring for fun at St Marys. He is currently their leading goal scorer with nine goals so far in the top flight.
Burnley Team News:
Defenders Ben Mee and Michael Duff are both doubts. It is reported that the gaffer has recalled Luke O’Neill from York in order to provide options although it is not clear how that would help since O`Neill is typically a right back! O`Neill will travel with the squad having returned from his loan spell at York City a day early this week.
Dean Marney is also still suffering from a thigh problem but could still play
Ross Wallace continues to make good progress recovering from surgery a few months back to fix a ‘wear and tear` injury to his knee. He could well be in contention before the month is out.
Player to watch: Jason Shackell
If we are to come away from St Mary`s with a win, Jason Shackell as captain will need to be at the top of his game both in terms of defence and leadership. He will certainly have to marshal the defence with such notable threats in the Saints line-up as Lambert, Lallana and Rodriguez.
Team & Tactics:
Well if all the ‘doubts` make it, it could be the same eighteen as the New Year`s Day game. Our strongest team if all are fit would be:
Heaton, Trippier, Shackell, Duff, Mee, Treacy, Marney, Jones, Arfield, Ings, Vokes
Subs: Cisak, Lafferty (or O`Neill), Long, Stock, Edgar, Stanislas, Kightly
If Duff is out, Long could expect a recall and Edgar or Stock could stand in for Marney. It would be difficult to know what would happen if Mee continues to struggle despite making a comeback against Huddersfield. Lafferty is the obvious choice unless he too has picked up a knock in which case we don`t have another recognised left back with Mills having returned from his loan spell at Oldham suffering from a hernia problem. You just wonder too if Dyche might be tempted to rest a few players with such a small squad and clearly the Championship being top priority
Ref Watch:
Robert Madley is in charge of this FA Cup clash. The Premier League referee from West Yorkshire has been prolific in sending players so far this season including a Burnley player. Can you remember who it was? In just 14 games so far this, five players have already seen red with another 57 picking up yellow cards! Unfortunately for the Clarets, the last time this referee featured in a Burnley game, we both lost and had a player sent off. We lost 2-0 to West Ham at home in the Capital One Cup back in October and Keith Treacy was sent off after fouling Jack Collison in the box in injury time. Let`s hope for better fortune this time round!
Match Prediction:
I just don`t see any shocks in this one! I actually think we should rest a few players and concentrate on the Championship instead of this side show which let`s face it is becoming less and less important. I would not be too upset if we get knocked out providing we put in a decent performance. 3-1 Southampton, I`m afraid!
Next Match:
Back to Championship duty on Saturday 11th January with a long away trip down to Yeovil. The Clarets will be hoping for another three points against the struggling, relegation-threatened Somerset club.
