Form Means Nothing On Derby Day
Saturday is Lancashire derby day at Turf Moor. Preston sit just above the relegation places, Burnley are fifth but form means nothing on these occasions.
North End have won four of our last five meetings. Maybe it's our turn.
We can feel hard done by. Last time out we lost to two soft penalties at Deepdale back in January 2009. We had Chris McCann and Joey Gudjonsson harshly sent off at Turf Moor the previous season. Perhaps it's payback time!
Everyone knows this will be a very competitive match. However be warned, Darren Ferguson's side will be desperate to kick-start their season.
It's a relatively new North End side. One player to watch is Joshua King who is on loan from Manchester United. Norway-born King did well on his previous visit to Turf Moor. He scored twice in a comfortable win for the Reds in the FA Youth Cup back in January. It may be a difficult afternoon for Matthew James, who is also on loan from Manchester United. Bacup-born James is a big Burnley fan!
Split loyalties for Matthew James?
Generally, apart from the first thirty minutes against Swansea at the Liberty Stadium, we should be quite pleased with the start we have made. Brian Laws has got real competition for places.
With Tyrone Mears missing the game against his former club on Saturday, David Edgar will be pushing for a recall after his harsh sending off at Ipswich. Michael Duff came through the reserve game on Tuesday unscathed. Jay Rodriguez scored twice in that game. In addition Chris Eagles, Jack Cork and Steven Thompson will all be pushing for a first team berth after good performances at Morecambe and as substitutes at Swansea. With plenty of players pushing for inclusion it's a great position to be in.
Right now, as far as Clarets fans are concerned, this is the big one. Bragging rights are at stake. Three points are vital against one of our traditional rivals.
In like Flynn?
It's Flynn's Turn
We are being told John Toshack will resign from his post in the next few days after a turbulent spell in charge of Wales. His team lost in Montenegro last Friday, and with the knives already out, the pressure on the former Real Madrid boss is immense. It doesn't help that his nemesis Robbie Savage is a permanent fixture on TV and radio these days! For me there is only one candidate to replace him - former Claret Brian Flynn.
Flynn has done wonders with the under 21's. Ridiculously they missed out on qualification for the European Championships on away goals. Yes, in a league system they lost out on away goals! They went into their game in Italy three points ahead of their nearest rivals. However a 1-0 loss cost the Welsh a place in the finals even though they had a better goal difference than the Italians! Wales beat Italy 2-1 in their home fixture but that crucial away goal ultimately cost them qualification.
Flynn did magnificently in club football at Wrexham and Swansea and deserves a crack at the big job.
Your country needs you!
The Same Old Tune
I see the Scottish FA had to apologise for the booing of the Liechtenstein national anthem at Hampden Park on Tuesday. A section of the Scotland fans jeered the anthem - which co-incidentally has the same tune as God Save the Queen - before their nail biting 2-1 win in the Euro 2012 qualifier.
However, I would suggest the visitors were probably more miffed by the late, late winner from Stephen McManus. Five minutes of added time were indicated, McManus scored in the 97th minute!
Selfishly I'm more alarmed at how Craig Levein can continue to ignore the international claims of our own Ross Wallace, Graham Alexander and Danny Fox.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily Burnley FC.
