The Fishy - Grimsby Town FC

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Grimsby v Burnley Preview

By: Sam Kinnaird
Date: 13/08/2007

TOWN welcome Championship side Burnley to Blundell Park in what looks to be an exciting encounter between two footballing sides in the first round of the Carling Cup.

Home > 2007-2008 Season > Previews > Burnley (h)


The Opposition

Overview

Burnley were the last ever champions of Division Four before the League was re-structured in 1992. They then won promotions to Divisions Two and One. A huge downturn in fortunes then saw them struggling at the bottom of Division Three and staring the Conference in the face. A final game win over Plymouth ensured survival, and the arrival of Stan Ternent saw The Clarets rise up the Football League again and into the then ‘Division One’ in May 2000. Since then they have remained in the ‘Championship,’ pushing hard for the play-offs in the 2000/1 and 2001/2 seasons, but an impressive FA Cup run coincided with poor League form which meant Ternent was shown the door in the close season. Young manager Steve Cotterill (left), often linked with Town, was given the job and in his first season saw off Liverpool and Aston Villa in the cups and Burnley finished 13th. The past two seasons have been similar stories with flying starts but less impressive second halves to the season, with disappointing league finishes of 17th and 15th.

This Season
The arrival of new director Brendan Flood in the close season and newly promised funds gave fans hope of a sustained promotion push this time around. Local hero Robbie Blake (left) signed from Leeds and young full back Simon Jordan was snapped up on a free from Man City. Other signings include ‘keeper Gabor Kiraly and Albanian striker Besart Berisha (left) who cost £340,000 from Hamburg. Pundits have predicted a struggle for the Clarets, pointing to the small squad (22) compared with their Championship counterparts. However, eyebrows were raised as they came from behind to beat promotion favourites West Brom on Saturday. Having gone 1-0 down to a Kevin Phillips goal, Michael Duff and an Andy Gray penalty ensured an opening day victory for the Clarets. Burnley have also completed the signing of veteran defender David Unsworth from Wigan, the man who scored on the final day of last season to confirm Premiership survival at the expense of Sheffield United

Key Player
Fans favourite Robbie Blake re-signed for the Clarets in the summer on a free transfer from relegated Leeds. The 31-year-old front man has been prolific throughout his career. Blake is well known for his natural finishing ability and his pace, and made himself known whilst playing for Bradford City. 40 goals in 150 appearances brought him to the attention of Burnley who paid £1m for him in the summer of 2002. Blake went on to score 20 goals in 120 appearances and was then signed by Birmingham City, leaving to pursue his Premiership dream. However things did not work out at St. Andrews, and he was sold to Leeds after only 10 appearances, going on to score 19 goals in 77 appearances. The striker professed his loyalty to Leeds despite their relegation and dire financial position, but an apparent falling out with manager Dennis Wise meant he moved back to Turf Moor for £250,000 in July.

Team News

TownBurnley

  • Town boss Alan Buckley should have a full strength squad to choose from for the game, but it remains to be seen whether Gary Jones and Isaiah Rankin are ready to complete 90 minutes.
  • Steve Cotterill may look to rotate his squad for the game at Blundell Park, with the likes of Ade Akinbiyi and Kyle Lafferty looking to cement first team spots.

  • New signing David Unsworth looks set to play some part after his move from Wigan in order to gain some match fitness.

  • Defender Steve Caldwell may miss out with a hamstring strain picked up against West Brom.
  • Probable Teams

    TownBurnley
    1Barnes
    5Bennett
    5Fenton
    15Whittle
    3Newey
    7Till
    18Hunt
    8Bolland
    11Boshell
    10Toner
    9North
    1Kiraly
    4Duff
    5Thomas
    TBAUnsworth
    23Jordan
    11Elliott
    8Gudjonsson
    16McCann
    3Harley
    20Blake
    9Akinbiyi

    Subs

    TownBurnley
    13Montgomery
    2Clarke
    18Bore
    12Rankin
    19Jones
    12Jensen
    7O'Connor
    15Spicer
    10Gray
    6Caldwell

    Head to Head

    Burney have the upper hand over the Mariners since the first game between the clubs in 1897 but have not won in their last 10 visits to Blundell Park. The game in October 2002 at Blundell Park will live long in the memory, with Town winning by the odd goal in 11. It is worth noting that the Mariners have won only twice in the last 9 encounters, but have only lost once in the last 5.

    P 54 W 19 D 11 L 24 F 68 A 90

    Burnley Head-to-Head (66th on The Opposition Ladder)

    Last Meeting

    Burnley 1-1 Grimsby (Saturday 22nd March 2003)

    Burnley substitute Alan Moore rescued a point for Burnley after Stuart Campbell had put Town ahead on the stroke of half time with a close range finish. Moore headed in Glen Little’s corner in the 52nd minute, Burnley had the better of the second half with Town keeper Danny Coyne in inspired form but Paul Groves was denied a winner in the dying seconds as Marlon Beresford kept out the captain’s effort. Att: 13,345

    Grimsby Team: Coyne, McDermott, Ford, Santos, Gallimore, Campbell, Hughes, Coldicott, Groves, Oster, Mansaram
    Subs: Allaway, Chettle, Livingstone, Bolder, Soames.

    Burnley Team: Beresford, West, Diallo, Davis, Gnohere, Little, Weller, Cook, Briscoe, Blake, Ian Moore
    Subs: Michopoulos, Grant, McGregor, Alan Moore, Papadopoulos

    Attendance: 5,147  Report

    Prediction

    Mariners 2-1 Burnley

    Reader's POMs

    Directions

    Click on the link for directions to Blundell Park (left).

    Admission Prices

    Click on the link for ticket prices to Blundell Park.

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