Three Rs? Aye Reading, Righting and ‘Rithmetic! Let me explain
Well for a start the Clarets are back in action again on Tuesday tonight in the first of two games on home soil. They face Norwich on Saturday but first must face Reading yet again, just three weeks after being defeated by the Royals 3-1 at the Madejski Stadium.
The Clarets will definitely want to put that Right and get some revenge in what after all was their only defeat in their last 13 matches.
If I have the ‘Rithmetic right, the Clarets will only be one point behind the 3rd place team if they can beat the high-flyers on Tuesday night.
Currently in eighth place on 20 points the Clarets are only 2 points behind the 4th placed club, Cardiff so a win could easily propel them again into a Top 6 spot and put some clear blue water between them and the chasing pack of about 12 clubs who are within three points of each other down to 15th placed Preston on 17 points.
It will not be easy though against Reading who seem to score for fun these days and have the best goal difference in the league on plus 15.
Mind you if Preston can beat them at home like they did last week, it should be possible for Burnley to go one better than 2-1.
Let`s hope for three points, setting us up nicely for the home game against 18th placed Norwich on Saturday as we continue the heavy schedule of Tuesday/Saturday games following the International break.
Predicted Team Sheet
Steven Caldwell at the moment is the only injury concern after he had to be substituted in our last match against Charlton at the Valley on Saturday.
Jordan stepped into the breach and I suspect he will play again if Caldwell doesn`t make it or at the very least be named on the bench as our only other available defender.
Owen Coyle looks certain to name the same sixteen and starting eleven where he can and with everybody playing well, it looks like once again players of the calibre of Blake and Eagles will struggle to find a starting eleven place. Some known to be fully fit and available will not it seems likely even get a place on the bench including the close season signings, Kevin McDonald and Remco Van der Schaaf. I don`t think I can recall a period in recent times where we seem to have so much depth in the squad and where players through no fault of their own and generally playing well can`t get a regular place in the side.
The current players must fear getting injured or suspended at the moment. They certainly don`t find it easy to re-establish themselves in the team when they return. Ask Eagles, Blake, Mahon and Jordan to name but four.
Both Eagles and Blake saw some action on Saturday but both failed to make any impression following their successful cameo appearances against Coventry last week so I expect our team will look similar to the one we have selected the last three times when we play Reading.
I will go for the following:
Jensen, Duff, Carlisle, Caldwell (or Jordan), Kalvenes, Alexander, Elliott, McCann, Gudjonsson, Paterson, Thompson
Subs: Penny, Van der Shaaf (or Jordan if Caldwell fit), Blake, Eagles, Rodriguez
Burnley Team News:
The only doubt at the moment appears to be Steven Caldwell
Player to watch: Steve Thompson
Well they finally agreed that Steve Thompson scored our goal against Charlton on Saturday, but at most it was a deflection after Gudjonsson had done all the work and let rip.
Thompson though could be raring to go now after scoring his first goal for the Clarets and we could just see him hit form and score a few more.
Reading Team News:
None available at the moment but we will bring you news of any injuries or likely changes
Player to watch: Kevin Doyle
Well I can only pick one so how do you select one from a forward line that scores for fun? The two Hunts, Kevin Doyle, Shane Long?
I`ll go for Kevin Doyle, purely on basis of being first surname alphabetically!
Last Time We Met
Flipping lost 3-1 to them three weeks ago!
Reading got the double over us in their promotion season of 2005/6. A defeat 2-1 away in August 2005 was followed by a 3-0 trouncing at home in March 2006. That was the last time the Royals were at the Turf! Let`s avoid the double defeat this time at least!
Ref Watch:
Anybody but Shoebridge!!
Actually it`s Mark Haywood (West Yorks)
Match Prediction:
We will shade this one, 2-1 and get revenge
Next Match
Norwich at Turf Moor on Saturday 1st November 3pm KO
