Well it`s that time of the year, when we play a team that isn`t Preston but one that wants to take their mantle as the Clarets deadly enemies!
Yep, its Blackpool tomorrow night at Turf Moor and maybe its payback time after the newly promoted team of last season somehow took four points off the Clarets including a yawn of a 2-2 draw at Turf Moor just over a year ago!
Thank god, we got our first win of the campaign last Saturday against Nottingham Forest, our first win at the City Ground in 44 years!
The game is set up nicely.
Blackpool to their credit have found a new lease of life, despite losing Kaspar Gorkss (a reported Clarets target) and Wes Hoolihan (NOT a reported Clarets target!). They find themselves in 12th place on 7 points somewhat better placed then the Clarets in 19th place on 5 points but then we are still only 3 points off the 6th placed side, Sheffield Wednesday.
They come to Turf Moot on the back of two consecutive wins, their most impressive away to Southampton (but then the Saints look a poor side!)
The Clarets on the other hand looked shaky in defence for the first few games and then looked weak in attack with few options.
One goal conceded only in four matches for the Clarets suggest we are looking better now defensively, and Russell Anderson, our loan from Sunderland seems to have plugged a few deficiencies in the back four although the inspirational move of Graham Alexander into the holding midfield role in front of the back four also seems to have paid dividends.
But what about our attack? Paterson was run ragged in a few games and needed support up front and on transfer deadline day we signed our tall target man, Steve Thompson from Cardiff City.
The early indications in the Forest game where Thompson was given his debut, was that his attacking, confident, aggressive style was just what we needed so watch out those with Sand in their eyes!
So what about the Clarets team?
Well we know Chris Eagles won`t feature as he sits out the second match of his three match ban following his silly red card against Plymouth at Turf Moor in our last home game.
Jordan also put in a competent performance against Forest on Saturday and could keep his place ahead of Kalvenes, who limped off injured in the last home game.
No futher news of injuries so I would expect a similar starting eleven and sixteen.
Well we really should be up for this match, and we have a few scores to settle. Let`s hope we are on fire and can make sure the rival fans do get a funny shaped object towering up their..(Answers on a postcard from Blackpool Pleasure Beach!)
Predicted Team Sheet
Jensen, Anderson, Carlisle, Caldwell, Jordan, Alexander, Elliott, McCann, McDonald, Paterson, Thompson
Subs; Penny, Gudjonsson, Mahon, Akinbiyi, Blake
Burnley Team News:
Eagles out, suspended. Kalvenes doubtful
Player to watch: Steve Thompson
Steve Thompson`s home debut and all Clarets fans will be looking to see if he can get his first goal and how well he connects with Martin Paterson in only their second game together.
Blackpool Team News:
Steve Kabba will be the danger man in attack
But it looks like former Clarets player, Mo Camara will deputise for Stephen Crainey (groin) at left-back with Keith Southern named on the bench.
Player to watch: Mo Camara
Well it will be interesting to see if Mo Camara, on loan to Blackpool has improved since his time with the Clarets and his experience at Celtic and Derby!!
Last Time We Met
2-2 at home last season about a year ago. Akinbiyi and Jones got the goals but it was a disappointing match and a further nail in the coffin for Steve Cotterill. We wont even mention the disaster at Bloomfield Road on New Years Day 20081. OK I will then- 3-0 to them and it was in an away stand that was a disgrace to football
Match Prediction:
2-0 Clarets
Next Fixtures:
Swansea away, Saturday 20th September 2008 @ 3pm KO
