Burnley 2-1 Birmingham

Burnley swept aside a poor Birmingham team to extend their winning streak at Turf Moor to ten matches, after a one-sided match that the Clarets should have won by more than the final score of 2-1.

Two early goals in the second half were enough to seal the points, with Birmingham's reply coming from virtually the last kick of the match.

Fletcher gave Burnley the lead after an incisive counter attack, and minutes later Andre Bikey added a second with a fine goal.

Owen Coyle had his old mentor Alex McLeish alongside him on the touchline, but he outclassed his old master tactically.

Burnley moved Bikey into midfield to allow a return for club captain Steven Caldwell, and Bikey's physicality negated any threat from midfield from Birmingham, who mustered very little in the way of attacking threat all game.

A gusty wind made conditions difficult and both sides found it hard going for the first half, David Nugent with Burnley's best chance, shooting straight at Joe Hart from twenty yards, and Lee Bowyer diverting a cross away from rather than towards the Burnley goal, from a rare Birmingham foray forward.

But Burnley started the second half brightly and quickly sealed the points. James McFadden wasted a free-kick for Birmingham in a great position, and Burnley broke at breakneck speed.

Tyrone Mears carried the ball for forty yards through the centre of the park before slipping in Steven Fletcher down the inside left channel. Nugent was screaming for the ball across the penalty area but Fletcher took it alone, and although his shot was straight at Hart, it somehow cannoned off the goalkeeper's legs and into the roof of the net. It was an untidy end to a fabulous break, but once the Clarets got their noses in front they didn't look back.

The second goal came quickly. Bikey won the ball in his new midfield role and rode a couple of untidy Birmingham challenges before advancing on goal. The Cameroonian then played a glorious one-two with Nugent on the edge of the area, and Bikey advanced on goal to finish calmly into the far corner, across Hart, before celebrating acrobatically.

Mears had a free-kick tipped over by Hart and Bikey should have done better with a free header from the resulting corner as Burnley briefly smelled blood and a rout, but they sat back and closed out the match instead.

Birmingham got an unlikely consolation deep into stoppage time when Sebastian Larsson curled a glorious free-kick into the top corner, beating Brian Jensen at his near post.

Owen Coyle was furious with losing the clean sheet at the death, but when he reflects with his players over the international break, they will be delighted with a fourth win of the Premier League season. But McLeish has worries. Criticised by home fans for a defensive team selection last weekend, this display was easily their worst of the season, and they won't collect many points on the road with performances like this.

This article was written for FansOnline Burnley.

Burnley v Birmingham match preview

Burnley manager Owen Coyle has lots of decisions to make regarding his team selection as he hunts a tenth straight win at Turf Moor.

Captain Steven Caldwell is available for the first time this season, and Andre Bikey or Clarke Carlisle could make way to make room for the skipper. Another option for Coyle is to move Bikey into midfield, although he has previously stated that he will use Bikey in defence only.

Chris McCann is sure to be a big losee for the Clarets, and more bad injury news has come this week with Jay Rodriguez and Fernando Guerrero both picking up injuries in Wednesday night's reserve win against Hull. Steven Thompson scored two goals in that game but he will have to be content with a place on the bench.

Coyle is known to like a settled eleven and he may name the same team that were thrashed at Spurs, although the pressure is on to make changes to a midfield that has struggled. However, Kevin McDonald is thought to be struggling with a knee problem, and he may miss out.

Up front David Nugent is likely to keep his place, and Steven Fletcher may start alongside him rather than off the flank.

Birmingham are without their record signing Christian Benitez, as the striker has returned to his Ecuador homeland after his father was involved in a car accident. Marcus Bent and David Murphy are doubts, and James McFadden is expected to join Martin Taylor and Cameron Jerome on the sidelines. Stuart Parnaby and Franck Queudrue could be on line for recalls to the starting eleven.

Up front, Birmingham manager Alex McLeish will choose between Kevin Phillips, Garry O'Connor and Gary McSheffrey for his striking line-up, although he could well match Burnley's expected formation of 4-5-1. Sebastian Larsson will be a threat from set pieces on the left, and experienced men Lee Bowyer, Teemu Tainio and Barry Ferguson will make up the midfield.

Summer signings Scott Dann and Roger Johnson have forget a tight partnership at the heart of the Birmingham back line, the pair presiding over one of the meanest defences in the top flight so far this season. On loan goalkeeper Joe Hart will start in goal, with Gregory Vignal and Stephen Carr expected to keep their places at full back.

Both sides will look at the match as a good chance to pick up a crucial win, but Burnley's 100% home record this season makes them favourites to collect the points, despite the injury woes of the last fortnight. It's likely to be a tight game, and an early goal for either side could be enough.

Prediction: Burnley 1-0 Birmingham.

This article was written for FansOnline Burnley.

Spurs 5-0 Burnley

Four goals from Robbie Keane condemned Burnley to a fourth straight away defeat of the season, with Tottenham Hotspur running out clear and deserved 5-0 winners at White Hart Lane.

All the pre-match talk focussed on the renewed match-up between David Nugent and Harry Redknapp, but the former Portsmouth striker was reduced to feeding off scraps for the entire afternoon as Spurs' attackers ran riot in the second half.

It could have all been different though, as Steven Fletcher had an equalising goal chalked off for Burnley, looking to have been onside before finishing smoothly past Carlo Cudicini.

But minutes later Spurs broke and Jermaine Jenas' deflected a crucial second goal past Burnley goalkeeper Brian Jensen to effectively rule the game over as a contest before half-time.

Keane had given the hosts the lead from the penalty spot twenty minutes in after Andre Bikey clumsily and unnecessarily brought down Jermain Defoe. The Irishman sent Jensen the wrong way, and that gave him the confidence to add three more goals in the second half.

Burnley started the second half brightly but couldn't get the goal to get back in the game, Robbie Blake missing the Clarets' best chance as he hit the post after Cudicini dropped a cross.

And Spurs soon found their scoring boots again. Aaron Lennon burts down the flank before pulling back an intelligent cross to Keane, who swept the ball impressively into the top corner.

It was four not long after, as Keane raced on to Huddlestone's lofted ball from defence before driving the ball left-footed into the bottom corner.

And the rout was complete when Keane scored his fourth of the afternoon through Jense's legs and in off the post.

This article was written for FansOnline Burnley.

Spurs v Burnley match preview

Burnley travel to the scene of their Carling Cup semi-final capitulation still looking for their first goals and points on the road this season to face a Spurs team that have made an impressive start to the campaign.

The Clarets have been rocked by the news that both Chris McCann and Martin Paterson will miss three months of action through knee injuries, but are boosted by Brian Jensen's dead leg not being as bad as first feared. Jensen has a good chance of facing Spurs, but should certainly be back for Burnley's next home game next Saturday against Birmingham.

Steven Caldwell is back in full training but he will have to wait for Clarke Carlisle or Andre Bikey to be unavailable to get his chance to reclaim the captaincy. Temporary skipper Graham Alexander has found his place under question of late but an improved display in the win over Sunderland, coupled with McCann's enforced absence, means he will hold on to his place, with Joey Gudjonsson likely to be McCann's replacement.

David Nugent is a certainty to replace Paterson up front, and Coyle may reshuffle his attacking options further with Chris Eagles and Fernando Guerrero both impressive at Barnsley despite Burnley's exit, and Robbie Blake and Steven Fletcher struggling to get into matches on the road.

A crushing 5-1 win at Deepdale over Preston by Spurs' second string in midweek gives Harry Redknapp a pleasing selection headache. Peter Crouch scored a hat-trick and it would be no surprise to see him return to the team at the expense of Robbie Keane. Jermain Defoe is likely to hold on to his spot as he looks to build on his six goals so far.

Redknapp may replace Gomes in goal with Cudicini and Sebastian Bassong will start in the heart of the back four. Much will depend on the fitness of Ledley King, with Redknapp hopeful his captain will be fit, although a hamstring injury is likely to keep him out. Spurs will also be without Jonathan Woodgate and Giovani Dos Santos, while Luka Modric will be lucky to play again this season after breaking his leg a few weeks ago. Redknapp will have to rejig his defence, with Hutton a possibility to come in at right-back with Vedran Corluka shuffling across to centre-back.

Tom Huddlestone has finally made a midfield spot his own this season and he will continue his partnership with Jermaine Jenas, with Aaron Lennon providing midfield width. Wilson Palocios will offer bite in the centre of the park.

The match up will spark memories of that famous Carling Cup tie, where Burnley completed a stunning comeback to win 3-0 in 90 minutes at Turf Moor to level the score on aggregate. But the Carling Cup rules dictate away goals do not come into play until after extra-time, and Roman Pavyluchenko struck to break Burnley's hearts with a winning goal just a minute and a half time from the final whistle, with Defoe adding undeserved gloss to the scoreline with another late goal.

That painful denial of a trip to Wembley spurred the Clarets on to make the play-off final and ultimately gain promotion to the Premier League, but they will still be looking for revenge over a Spurs team who were incredibly fortunate to make the final of the competition.

Having won their opening four matches of the league season Spurs have stumbled of late with defeats to Chelsea and Manchester United, but they will look at the visit of Burnley as an excellent chance to get back to winning ways. And despite those two losses, Spurs have been one of the more impressive teams in the Premier League this season and a home win is fully expected.

Spurs' pacy attack will be far too much for a Burnley team yet to find their feet away from home, but a goal might at least be forthcoming for the Clarets, which would be a helpful boost ahead of their next away trip down the M65 to Ewood Park.

Prediction: Tottenham 3-1 Burnley.

This article was written for FansOnline Burnley.

Injuries take gloss off Sunderland win

Although a third successive home win in the Premier League arrived on Saturday when two David Nugent goals sealed a 3-1 win over Sunderland, it’s not been a good week for Burnley FC.

First we learned that Chris McCann would miss three months of action after damaging knee ligaments during the game, then we crashed out of the Carling Cup at Oakwell, where we haven’t won in over 75 years, and Martin Paterson also tore his knee cartilage in the game and he too will miss three months of action. Out of a cup competition to lower league opposition and two crucial members of the first team out until Christmas. Great stuff. Fortunately goalkeeper Brian Jensen, stretchered off in the first half at Barnsley as Paterson was, looks like he’ll be fit for the next match.

There’s also rising discontent at the way the local police are handling the upcoming match with Blackburn Rovers. Burnley fans will only be allowed on to the game if they travel on official coaches from Turf Moor, meaning dozens of exiled Clarets will have to travel past Ewood, to get on an antiquated coach, sit inside Ewood for three hours before kick-off, be locked in for at least an hour after the game, sit on the coach for hours in traffic to get back to Burnley, to then drive back along the M65, past Blackburn, to get home. It’s an absolute farce.

7000 Burnley fans made their own way to Ewood the last time played them and there was no trouble. The police are over-reacting to the Cockney idiots that wrecked the West Ham-Millwall match a few weeks ago. Many Clarets, including myself, will be put off attending the match because of the draconian measures. It’s a lot of hassle to go to when you can watch the match in your own front room on telly, or go to the pub.

Some fans are even proposing walking to the match in protest, possibly raising money for Accrington Stanley in the process. It would be fantastic to see Burnley and Blackburn fans walking hand-in-hand (well, maybe not that far) to Ewood. It’d be a real two fingers up to the police who seem to think treating us all like criminals will ensure the event passes without trouble.

Hopefully we will pick up our first away goal and point at Spurs on Saturday, but it’ll be a big ask after their impressive start to the season. Their attack is pacy and that’s the type of play we generally struggle against. Chris McCann will be a huge miss for us. He’s been virtually ever-present for the last three seasons and has developed into a highly influential midfielder. Whoever takes his place has big shoes to fill.

But with Nugent likely to step into the side, we have a new talisman, and a fresh brightness and sharpness about our play when he gets involved.

This article was written for FansOnline Burnley.

Paterson out for three months

Martin Paterson has torn the cartilege in his knee, meaning he will miss three months of action.

The striker twisted his knee off the ball in Tuesday night's defeat at Barnsley, and may now not be available until the new year.

An operation on the knee last night confirmed the damage.

"We were hoping he had just nicked it, which would have been two to four weeks, but it's the worst-case scenario and coming on the back of the news of young Chris McCann it's a body blow for both the players, first and foremost," manager Owen Coyle told Sky Sports News.

"That's my concern. It's not great news when your young players, who I believe are top players, get injuries and our thoughts are with the players.

"It will be hard for them to take, but we will make sure they get the best rehabilitation and support system in place and I do know they will both come back bigger and stronger and better players for the football club.

"They are both young players who have been terrific since I have been at the club and both of them have got a big role to play when they come back."

Paterson and McCann will now both be absent from first team duties for at least two months each, leaving Burnley with a big hole in their squad. However, their absence will give players such as Steven Thompson, Jay Rodriguez, Joey Gudjonsson and Kevin McDonald a chance to taste Premier League action.

The dead leg suffered by Brian Jensen at Bransley is not expected to keep him out long-term, and the giant goalkeeper may even be available for Saturday's trip to Spurs.

This article was written for FansOnline Burnley.

Paterson to undergo knee op

Burnley FC's medical team have been quick to react to Martin Paterson's knee injury in last night's Carling Cup exit at Barnsley, with the striker set to undergo an exploratory operation tonight to assess the extent of the damage.

Another long-term injury, after Chris McCann was ruled out for two months with media ligament damage, would be a huge blow to the Clarets after a promising start that has seen them win three of their opening six matches in the Premier League.

However, David Nugent's double in Saturday's win over Sunderland would cushion the blow if Paterson was to be ruled out for any lengthy period of time, and Jay Rodriguez and Steven Thompson, who was absent from the Barnsley match with a bug, are both also waiting in the wings for their first chances of the season to impress.

Meanwhile, it is thought that the dead leg suffered by Brian Jensen at Oakwell is not serious, and manager Owen Coyle is hopeful his goalkeeper will be available for Saturday's trip to Spurs.

He told the official club website:"As we thought, Brian suffered a dead leg and I am hopeful he could be fit for the weekend.

"But the news on Martin Paterson is a little worse. He has tweaked a cartilage and will undergo an operation tonight (Wednesday), at which point we will know further how long he will be sidelined for."

This article was written for FansOnline Burnley.

Barnsley 3-2 Burnley

Burnley crashed out of the Carling Cup on a disastrous evening at Oakwell that saw Martin Paterson and Brian Jensen stretchered off injured and their Roses rivals Barnsley go through to the fourth round after a 3-2 win.

The Clarets made several changes from Saturday's 3-1 win over Sunderland with Kevin McDonald and Joey Gudjonsson competing in midfield for the right to replace the injured Chris McCann for Saturday's trip to Tottenham Hotspur, and Richard Eckersley, Christian Kalvenes, Chris Eagles and Fernando Guerrero all coming in to the starting eleven.

But it was Steven Fletcher, the goal hero from the previous round at Hartlepool, who opened the scoring as he finished powerfully from 18 yards. Barnsley struck back immediately though, Jon Macken bundling home after Iain Hume had headed against the woodwork.

Paterson and Jensen were both taken off on stretchers before Anderson de Silva thumped Barnsley ahead from 25 yards just before half-time.

Burnley replaced Richard Eckersley with Michael Duff at the break and pulled level minutes into the second half. Barnsley couldn't cope with Guerrero's mazy run and the Ecuadorian slid a cross in for Eagles to tap in the equaliser.

But Hugo Colace headed home de Silva's cross with fifteen minutes to go to seal a Premier League scalp for Barnsley and to knock Burnley out of the competition they almost reached the final of last season.

This article was written for FansOnline Burnley.

Barnsley v Burnley match preview

Burnley were boosted this week by the return of skipper Steve Caldwell to training, but as one Claret left the tratement table, another finds himself confined to it.

Chris McCann will be out of action for at least two months with knee ligament damage, and that means Joey Gudjonsson and Kevin McDonald will scrap for his place in the team at Barnsley tonight. David Nugent is cup-tied after appearing in an earlier round of the competition for parent club Portsmouth, but Michael Duff will inch closer to a retun to the first team with another start.

Owen Coyle will be keen to progress in the competition after last year's run, but he is unlikely to risk important first team players such as Brian Jensen, Clarke Carlisle, Graham Alexander and Robbie Blake. Steven Fletcher scored twice from the bench against Hartlepool in the last round and he may be given the chance to add to his tally with a rare start up front. Martin Paterson could be given another chance to prove himself with Nugent likely to take his place for Saturday's trip to Tottenham, or Coyle could give a run out to Steven Thompson or Jay Rodriguez.

Fernando Guerrero is expected to make another start on the left flank as he closes in on his debut start, and Chris Eagles might be given a chance to sharpen up his fitness.

Coyle might well totally replace the back five from Saturday's win over Sunderland, with three of his summer signings still yet to make an appearance in a league match: David Edgar, Richard Eckersley and Brian Easton. Diego Penny is expected to start in goal while Christian Kalvenes, absent from first team action since the opening day defeat at Stoke, may get a game at left back.

Barnsley have former Burnley forward Andy Gray cup tied as well as Nathan Doyle, and Daniel Bogdanovic, Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Emil Halfredsson are all likely to miss out through injury. Bogdanovic has scored all three of Barnsley's goals in this year's competition so far and he would be a big miss for Mark Robins' team.

The Yorkshiremen have made a poor start to this season, lying in the relegation zone with just five points from their opening eight games. However, four of those points have come from their last two games as their form looks to turn a corner.

Barnsley have former Preston man Jon Macken in their ranks but the striker is without a goal so far this season.

An away win seems inevitable, but Barnsley had a famous cup run under previous boss Simon Davey, and they will be keen to add Burnley to their list of recent Premier League scalps. But Burnley's second string know that this is their chance to impress manager Owen Coyle and they should be too good for a side who look likely to be relegated this season unless they improve markedly.

Prediction: Barnsley 1-3 Burnley

This article was written for FansOnline Burnley.

McCann out until Christmas

Burnley fans feared the worst when Chris McCann limped off following a challenge from Sunderland defender Michael Turner in Saturday's 3-1 victory over the Black Cats, and scans have shown that they were correct to be worried.

McCann has damaged the medial ligaments in his knee, meaning it will be at least two months before he can play again, with him unlikely to be available until Christmas.

The news is a blow to Owen Coyle, who has built his midfield around the young Irishman since his arrival at the club two years ago.

Coyle told the club's official website: "It's fair to say that Chris has suffered a bad injury and I would expect a minimum of two to three months.

"He has damaged his medial ligament and it will certainly be a couple of months before he is back. It's very unfortunate and a body blow for Chris. That's where my thoughts are because whenever he has been available he has been in my team.

"I think the world of him, both as a player and a lad and the good thing is he is at such a young age that he will come back better and stronger for it."

McCann's injury opens the door for Joey Gudjonsson and Kevin McDonald to stake their claims for regular first team football, and they may both be given their chance to shine in tomorrow night's third round Carling Cup clash with Roses rivals Barnsley at Oakwell.

This article was written for FansOnline Burnley.

Burnley 3-1 Sunderland

David Nugent's brace from the bench completed a 3-1 win for Burnley, stretching their run of home wins to nine, and lifting them into the top half of the Premier League.

First he fired a bullet header past Craig Gordon after a flowing Burnley move, and with just minutes to play he sealed the points with a delicious left-footed curling effort from eighteen yards into the top corner.

Sunderland had been the better side until Owen Coyle swapped Steven Fletcher and Martin Paterson for Chris Eagles and Nugent, while Steve Bruce's changes opened up acres of space for Wade Elliott to exploit fully.

The visitors started the better side, as Darren Bent and Fraizer Campbell both stretched a Burnley back four that had conceded seven goals in their previous two matches. But against the run of play the hosts got a slice of luck. Elliott ran clear down the channel and into the area, but Anton Ferdinand brought his run to an end by clattering him unnecessarily to the ground. Referee Chris Foy had no hesitation in giving the penalty on the advice of his linesman and Graham Alexander stepped up to smash the penalty straight down the middle.

Burnley enjoyed their best spell of the half after the goal, but an injury to Chris McCann meant a change of shape interrupted their flow as Joey Gudjonsson came on. And they switched off just before half-time to allow the Black Cats to equalise.

Tyrone Mears did everything right in showing Andy Reid inside onto his weaker right foot, but no tackle was forthcoming from any Clarets defender, and Reid slipped the ball through the gap between static Burnley defenders Clarke Carlisle and Andre Bikey for Darren Bent, who did what Rooney, Owen, Berbatov, Saha and Jo couldn't do at Turf Moor, in lifting the ball over Brian Jensen in the Burnley goal to carry on his hot streak for his new club.

The goal shocked the home fans, who hadn't seen their team concede at Turf Moor since March. But they rallied at the break and grew into the second half, playing some sparkling football. Nugent's introduction provided an extra cutting edge and he started the move that led to Burnley's second goal. He cushioned a header down to Chris Eagles who made progress down the flank before laying the ball back to Tyrone Mears. Mears played Elliott in and his cross was pin-perfect for Nugent to crash home his first Burnley goal, on his home debut.

The closest Bruce's team came to a leveller was when Lorik Cana floated a header just over the bar, and even Kenwyne Jones couldn't provide the spark to spur them on after his introduction.

And Burnley put the game away when Michael Turner stood off Nugent after a rampaging run from Elliott through the middle, the former England international starting the celebrations early with a great finish across Gordon.

The win is Burnley's third of the season already as they continue to prove the critics wrong. Away from home they looked like lost boys against Chelsea and Liverpool, but at home, in front of 18,000 vociferous Lancastrians, they are a different proposition. They moved the ball swiftly and looked dangerous every time they attacked a nervy Sunderland defence. And at the back, bar the shaky defending for the Sunderland goal, Carlisle and Bikey repelled everything Bruce's men could come up with.

In contrast, Sunderland looked a different side to the team that thrashed Hull 4-1 last week, and Bruce will be forced into making changes for their next game. But Burnley look on, with hope rather than fear of their first forays into the Premier League.

This article was written for FansOnline Burnley.

Burnley v Sunderland match preview

Owen Coyle must decide whether or not to change his eleven after two heavy defeats at Chelsea and Liverpool.

He has Michael Duff available for the first time this season, but the defence is likely to remain unchanged with any changes taking place further up the pitch, and Duff may not even force his way into the squad.

Wade Elliott, Graham Alexander and Martin Paterson are probably the three most vulnerable players after some thoroughly ordinary performances, with Chris Eagles, David Nugent and Kevin McDonald all pushing hard for their first starts in the league of the season.

Coyle is still without his skipper, with former Sunderland man Steven Caldwell still inching towards a full recovery from his groin injury.

Sunderland have problems in goal with both Marton Fulop and Craig Gordon carrying knocks, but one of them, probably Gordon, will be fit enough to start the match. Lee Cattermole is the only other doubt from the Black Cats' first team.

Darren Bent has started the season on fire for his new employers with four league goals already, and he is the man the Clarets back line must keep quiet if they are to keep up their incredible home record at Turf Moor. Burnley have won their last eight at home, only losing at the ground twice this year, and not conceding a goal since March. Kenwyne Jones will provide an aerial threat, partnering Bent up front.

Lorik Cana has made an impressive start in midfield for Sunderland and if Cattermole does miss out he will be under pressure to have a good game in the middle of the park, without adding to his three yellow cards so far this season. The Black Cats have a wealth of options in midfield, with Andy Reid, Kieran Richardson and Steed Malbranque all capable of playing either out wide or in the middle.

Defensively, new Cats boss Steve Bruce - who spent four years on Burnley's books as a youngster, he revealed this week - has strengthened extensively this season, although both John Mensah and Paulo Da Silva are yet to break into the first team. Hull's Michael Turner was the main addition, and he will partner Anton Ferdinand at the heart of the Mackem back line, with former Burnley loanee Phil Bardsley and George McCartney the men likely to start at full-back in a basic 4-4-2 formation.

Burnley may rejig their team, but Coyle is expected to stick with the 4-5-1 shape that has garnered his team a 100% record from their first two home games this season. Sunderland have one win, at Bolton, and one defeat, at Stoke, on the road this season, and they will be looking to build on their finest start to a Premier League campaign in years.

Burnley are the lowest scorers in the division so far, but they have made use of their goals, with Robbie Blake netting the winner against Manchester United and Wade Elliott bagging the goal that sunk Everton. If Burnley do win tomorrow in front of the SKY Sports cameras, they will become the first Premier League team to win their oprning three home games of the season since Blackburn Rovers, of all teams, 17 years ago.

Matches between the two have been memorable in recent years, with Stan Ternent marking his last game in charge of Burnley in front of conga-ing Sunderland fans, and Burnley putting up a gallant fight as Sunderland won 3-2 in a pulsating Stadium of Light fixture to take a giant stride towards promotion two years ago.

A point would suit both teams as they look to consolidate strong starts to the season, but Sunderland could have too much firepower for the Clarets, with Bent likely to continue his hot streak.

Prediction: Burnley 1-2 Sunderland

This article was written for FansOnline Burnley.

Coyle must consider a reshuffle

Although there's no reason to panic after the wholly expected pair of away defeats to Liverpool and Chelsea, there are lessons we can learn about the way we set the team up away from home.

In the two home matches so far, 4-5-1 has worked a treat. Chris McCann and Wade Elliott have both got forward enough to support the lone striker Martin Paterson, and Robbie Blake and Steven Fletcher have seen plenty of the ball on the flanks. Graham Alexander, in the holding role, has had relatively quiet afternoons, allowing him to collect the ball from the back four and distribute it freely.

But away from home, the gap between midfield and attack is vast. On the rare occasions we've had possession in the last two matches we've wasted it; partly due to poor passing, but more because we've had a lack of options. Elliott has rarely managed to find a Claret shirt, McCann has had no room to run with the ball, and Graham Alexander has found himself overrun with a lack of protection from the other midfielders. Blake and Fletcher have been pushed deep inside their own half, acting as secondary full-backs instead of as attacking threats.

We shouldn't read too much in to the results - Chelsea and Liverpool will be two of the top three for certain come May - but we do need to amend our gameplan ever so slightly next time we play away from home.

It's clear that the wide men aren't getting involved enough up the pitch. And neither are they protecting the defenders behind them enough. Therefore, we require either a change of personnel to more mobile players such as Guerrero and Eagles, who will get up and down the flank better, or, if we are insisting on sticking to 4-5-1, play with the wingers pushed up, and with a striker that can win flick ons to them.

I'm a huge fan of Graham Alexander, but I can't see how we can keep building a team around him against much superior opposition. For two of Liverpool's goals he was tracking the runner, but was never going to have enough pace to get back and make a challenge. Reverting to 4-4-2 and dropping Alexander may leave the defence more exposed, but it would also give us much more support in attack when we do have the football.

There are also nagging concerns about Martin Paterson. He's still goalless in seven appearances for club and country this season, and on Saturday missed another decent chance, although he worked Pepe Reina with two long-range efforts later in the game. Unfortunately the ball does not stick when it goes up to Pato. He's not strong enough to hold off Premier League defenders or quick enough to turn them. And we saw last season how much more effective he is playing alongside a bigger striker.

Steven Thompson is an intriguing option. Although his presence in the eleven tends to encourage the long, hopeful ball forward, his close control is good, and he showed promising signs of a previously untapped reservoir of goals towards the end of last season. nBut the addition of Fletcher in the summer, and now Nugent, seems to have knocked him out of Owen Coyle's thinking.

Coyle's loyalty to the players who were central to our promotion last term is admirable, but you fear unless he considers a change of shape or personnel on the road, many more afternoons chasing shadows may well be on the cards.

This article was written for FansOnline Burnley.

Liverpool 4-0 Burnley

Yossi Benayoun fired a superb hat-trick to show his goalkeeper Pepe Reina that Liverpool are title contenders after all, in a comfortable 4-0 win over a poor Burnley team.

Reina had commented pre-match that Liverpool wouldn't win the league this season, and Benayoun in particular seemed intent on proving him wrong, with three goals and a further finish disallowed incorrectly for offside.

The game followed a similar pattern to Burnley's 3-0 defeat at Chelsea two weeks ago. The Clarets started brightly and again Martin Paterson had a good chance to put them ahead after ten minutes, but under pressure from Jamie Carragher, the striker couldn't find the corner, slotting just wide.

And as the first half went on, the more Liverpool dominated, with Benayoun opening the scoring just before the half hour. Burnley stood off him, and the Israeli turned Graham Alexander brilliantly on the edge of the area before placing his shot across Brian Jensen in the Burnley goal.

That goal acted as a wake-up call for Burnley, who then ejoyed their brightest period of the match. Paterson had two good long-range efforts well saved by Reina, before he was cynically blocked off in the area. At Turf Moor, the penalty award may have come, but it was never likely to at Anfield, despite it being an worthwhile shout.

And from a Burnley corner, Liverpool broke and put the game away just before half-time. Benayoun found room 25 yards from goal and hit a vicious, swirling shot that Jensen couldn't hold, and Dirk Kuyt was on hand to tap in the rebound. The Dane made amends for his error moments later though, diving full length to tip over Steven Gerrard's piledriver.

And it was Gerrard who destroyed any lingering hopes of a fight-back with a surging run through the heart of Burnley's back four, before squaring unselfishly despite close attention from Alexander, for the unmarked Benayoun to add his second of the game, and Liverpool's third. The former West Ham man had a third goal wrongly ruled out for offside before completing his hat-trick, finishing well from 12 yards from Andriy Voronin's good pass, after referee Lee Mason had inadvertently deflected a Burnley pass to a Liverpool player.

Burnley were a shadow of the side that completed a home double of wins over Manchester United and Everton, and they are still without a goal or a point in three away games in the Premier League. In contrast, Liverpool's season is just getting going, and they will be hopeful that this easy victory sets them up to take enough points off the lesser teams in the division - their achilles heel last season - to be in the mix come May.

This report was written for FansOnline Burnley.

Liverpool v Burnley match preview

The Clarets travel to Anfield with no fresh injury concerns from the international break, with Michael Duff and Steven Caldwell both inching close to returns, and David Nugent added to the squad on loan from Portsmouth.

Liverpool-born Nugent will be hoping to be included in the eleven after a promising debut in Tuesday's 4-0 victory over Accrington Stanley, but Owen Coyle is likely to stick with the same team that struggled to cope with a wonderful Chelsea performance two weeks ago.

Martin Paterson has struggled this season, with no goals yet in the league and a string of chances missed in two appeances for Northern Ireland in the break, but Coyle will give him another chance to prove himself. Local lad Jay Rodriguez may have forced himself into the squad with two well-taken goals against Stanley, but the addition of Nugent to the squad means he will find his opportunities this season limited.

Chris Eagles will be hoping for a first league start of the season after playing well in the Stanley win, but he will again have to settle for an appearance from the substitutes' bench.

Liverpool have problems in midfield after the international matches, with Javier Mascherano and Alberto Aquilani likely to miss out. That means Lucas Leiva will start in midfield, with Steven Gerrard asked to play a more withdrawn role than of late, dropping into the midfield instead of playing off Fernando Torres. Torres has had a difficult start to the campaign but he will look at the match as a chance to get some goals on the board. Dirk Kuyt may partner him with Yossi Benayoun or Albert Riera supporting from the flank.

In defence, Daniel Agger is still out with a back injury, and Fabio Aurelio may also miss out, with Emiliano Insua to come in to deputise. Benitez will have to choose between Kyrgiakos and Skrtel to partner Carragher at centre-back.

One of the hosts' biggest attacking threats will be the rampaging runs of England international Glen Johnson from full-back. The former Chelsea player already has two goals this season.

Rafa Benitez has bad memories of facing Burnley after the Clarets knocked his Liverpool team out of the FA Cup in his first season at the club in 2005, after Djimi Traore's comical own goal handed Steve Cotterill's side a 1-0 win at Turf Moor.

But Burnley are without a goal or a point in two Premier League games this season, and another defeat is expected, although Liverpool have conceded first in three of their four league games so far, and Burnley have won both games in which they have netted.

Liverpool are likely to have too much for the still-learning Burnley, with a similar result to the Stamford Bridge scoreline the likeliest result.

Prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Burnley.

This article was written for Fansonline Burnley.

Scotland set to leave out Clarets pair

Steven Fletcher and Graham Alexander both played well in Scotland's 2-0 weekend win over Macedonia, but an injury to goalscorer James McFadden has led to manager George Burley shuffling his pack for tonight's win-or-bust game against the Netherlands at Hampden Park.

The Clarets duo will both be dropped to the bench, according to the BBC, in order to allow Steven Naismith and Shaun Maloney to come in on the wings. Alexander will be replaced by either Paul Hartley or Gary Caldwell, who returns from suspension for the game. His brother Steven, Burnley's third Scotland player, is still not fit enough to be involved.

Elsewhere, an injury to Kyle Lafferty has opened the door for Martin Paterson to start for Northern Ireland at Windsor Park, despite missing two good chances from the bench in Poland on Saturday. Group leaders Slovakia are the visitors to Belfast and a victory for Northern Ireland would give them an excellent chance of qualifying for the play-offs at least.

Meanwhile, Andre Bikey will hope to force his way into the Cameroon team for their crunch game at home to Gabon in Group A of African qualifying. The Clarets' new defender would make his 16th appearance for his country if selected.

Good luck to all the Burnley players in international action tonight.

This article was written for FansOnline Burnley.

Nugent could be final piece of puzzle

I think I can speak for many Clarets when I say how surprised I was at the sudden announcement of the signing of David Nugent, on loan from Portsmouth for six months, with a view to a permanent deal.

All the talk was of Daniel Cousin of Hull joining Burnley, a tall, combative striker that would hassle and harry defenders. A bigger Martin Paterson, if you will.

But instead Owen Coyle surprised us all by pulling Nugent out of the hat. The striker is well known to Clarets having been Preston North End's star player for two or three years, and always seemed to bring out his best in games against us.

The move to Portsmouth probably came at the wrong time for him. £5m looked like a lot of money when the transfer happened, but PNE always get top buck for their players and Nugent was no exception.

He was unlucky in some respects with the managerial merry-go-round at Fratton Park, as well as Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe forming a lethal partnership together, that he didn't get a fair crack of the whip. Many of his appearances in Portsmouth blue came from the flank, and even more from the bench.

At only 24 his best years should be ahead of him, although it's probably not too harsh to suggest this could be his last chance to show hiw quality in the top flight. If he fails at Burnley, he will almost certainly play out his career in the Football League.

How he fits into Owen Coyle's plans remains to be seen. I see Nugent as a similar player to Robbie Blake. He's diminutive but can hold the ball, uses it intelligently, and is capable of magical strikes at goal. Whether he turns out to be the long-term replacement for the little magician is unlikely, but he certainly adds something extra to our striking options.

Where this leaves Jay Rodriguez is something Owen Coyle will have to consider closely. Rodriguez scored five from the bench last season and had we not been promoted would have played a major part this season. With Fletcher and now Nugent coming in, he finds himself down the pecking order, and unable to make the matchday squad of 18. A loan spell could do him the world of good, as it did for Kyle Lafferty, who found his scoring boots at Darlington.

But the move suits all parties. Portsmouth get another player off their wage bill, we get another attacking option, a low-risk one at that, and Nugent gets another shot at the big time, at a similar club to Preston, where he was so successful.

And if anyone can get the best of him, it's the man who rejuvenated the careers of Brian Jensen, Clarke Carlisle, Steven Caldwell and Robbie Blake to name but a few - Owen Coyle.

This article was written for FansOnline.

Chelsea 3-0 Burnley match report

Chelsea climbed to the top of the Premier League, brushing aside Burnley 3-0 with a devastating display of fluid attacking.

It took until stoppage time in the first half for Chelsea to open the scoring, but two more goals early in the second period killed off any Burnley hopes of a fightback to steal a point.

The hosts flew out of the blocks and could have led by two in the opening minutes. Anelka tested Burnley's titanic goalkeeper Brian Jensen from twenty yards, before racing clear of the Burnley defence after a sloppy pass by Wade Elliott, only for Jensen to smother the ball at his feet.

Burnley failed to muster a shot on target in the whole match, but they had the best chance of the first half. Full-back Tyrone Mears somehow found himself in a position to rob John Terry, and the former Derby defender advanced before unselfishly squaring to Clarets striker Martin Paterson, who contrived to miss the traget from ten yards with Petr Cech scrambling to get across his goal. Chris McCann drove through the heart of the Chelsea midfield before chipping over Cech's goal in Burnley's only other real opportunity.

The visitors were grateful of anothering fine display of goalkeeping from Jensen, without whom the score could have been embarrassing, but there was nothing he could do about Chelsea's opener.

Michael Essien played a beautifully weighted ball down the channel for Didier Drogba, the Ivorian controlling well before pulling away from the chasing Burnley defence and squaring to striker partner Nicolas Anelka to slide in to finish from barely a yard out.

It was harsh on Burnley who had defended stoutly, but struggled to hold on to possession of the football, and track Chelsea's wonderful movement in midfield.

Five minutes into the second half the game was over. Anelka was given far too much rom on the corner of the penalty area to roll to Frank Lampard on the overlap, and the England man crossed superbly for Michael Ballack to ghost in unmarked to direct a header at full stretch low past Jensen.

Ashley Cole hammered the final nail in Burnley's coffin moments later, volleying home a stunning angled finish from twenty yards. Anelka hit the bar later on as Chelsea looked to add gloss to the scoreline, and Burnley toiled away to try and find a consolation, but one was never likely to come. Mears even had to race back to clear off the line as substitute Saloman Kalou looked to make it four.

On this form Carlo Ancelotti's men look irresistible for the title, and Owen Coyle will have to pick up the pieces and hope his men learn from their mistakes from their second away defeat of the season.

This report was written for FansOnline.

Chelsea v Burnley match preview

Burnley go into their testing double header of away days on the back of a wholly unexpected trio of wins.

Victory at Hartlepool in the Carling Cup was to be expected, but the preceding home league wins over Manchester United and Everton came as a very pleasant surprise to the Claret faithful.

Stamford Bridge will be a different proposition of course. But Burnley have good memories of the ground having triumphed over the Blues on penalties in a cup tie there last season.

The Clarets are still without Michael Duff and skipper Steven Caldwell at the back, but Andre Bikey and Clarke Carlisle have looked to be putting together a solid partnership in their place at the heart of the Burnley defence. Richard Eckersley's sending off in midweek means he is unavailable but he was unlikely to be in Coyle's 18 anyway.

Coyle rested most of his first team at Victoria Park and none of his squad men played well enough to force their way into his reckoning, so it would be no surprise to see him select the same eleven that beat United and Everton last week.

Steven Fletcher's two goals at Hartlepool could persuade Coyle to start him in a forward berth, moving Martin Paterson back to the wing.

Carlo Ancelotti has deployed his diamond 4-4-2 formation to great effect this season and the wealth of talent he has at his disposal is frightening. Drogba, who was reprimanded by the FA for throwing a coin back into the Burnley crowd last time the two teams met, will probably partner Nicolas Anelka in attack, although if Ancelotti is confident of a comfortable win, he may give Salomon Kalou a run out. Drogba and Anelka were both on target in the Blues' impressive 2-0 win at Fulham last time out.

He will also have to choose bwteen Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack for the role at the peak of the midfield, with Jon Obi Mikel and Michael Essien near-certainties to be selected.

Chelsea are without the injured trio of Joe Cole, Yuri Zhirkov and Paulo Ferreira, although it is thought Cole is close to making a comeback. Alex and Juliano Belletti could also both miss out. If Ancelotti chooses to blood youngsters the likeliest to come in are Sam Hutchinson and the highly-rated former Manchester City striker Daniel Sturridge.

The Blues' have a 100% record so far this season and have been installed as title favourites following Burnley's defeat of Manchester United. The sensible money is on the hosts to continue their irresistible form, but the Clarets will be hopeful of picking up their first away points of the season.

Prediction: 3-1.

This match preview was written for FansOnline.

Hartlepool 1-2 Burnley (aet) match report

Hartlepool almost picked up a Premier League scalp in the Carling Cup but Steven Fletcher's brace was enough for ten-man Burnley to squeeze through.

Owen Coyle named only Andre Bikey in the line-up from the side that beat Everton on Sunday, and his second string toiled at Victoria Park until the introduction of Robbie Blake, Martin Paterson and Fletcher.

Jay Rodriguez had a goal disallowed for offside and the youngster had another good chance but tried to be too clever with his touch, and it was the hosts who took the lead after some neat interplay between Andy Monkhouse and Antony Sweeney set up Adam Boyd to prod home.

Hartlepool had a string of other chances with some bad misses and Burnley goalkeeper Diego Penny matching the effort's of the home attackers.

And as the game went on the hosts tired and Burnley's substitutes started to run the game, equalising with just minutes left on the clock. The visitors broke at speed and Fletcher cut in from the fight to fire across Scott Flinders in the Hartlepool lead, his first goal for the Clarets.

Colin Larkin hit the crossbar for Hartlepool early in extra-time but Burnley always looked to have too much for their League One opponents, even when right-back Richard Eckersley was given his marching orders - on his debut no less.

And a moment of class won it for the Premier League new boys, when a short corner routine was worked to Paterson, who crossed for Fletcher to head home his second of the match, and the winner.

The result was harsh on Chris Turner's Hartlepool side, who battled manfully and produced some really good football. But in an entertaining clash, Owen Coyle's Burnley came out on top to progress to the third round.