West Brom Preview

By Longsider
January 16 2004

Burnley take on promotion chasing West Brom at Turf Moor tomorrow looking for 3 points which will hopefully put some distance between ourselves and the relelgation zone. We haven't conceded a goal in 2004 and hopefully our new signing will continue this run.

The new Supporters Trust that is being set up has taken the headlines for today. Yes it will help us financially but we must also remember we have a vital game tomorrow against West Bromwich Albion.

Albion are currently second in the table though by all accounts have been stuttering somewhat over the last few weeks. Its their first visit to the Turf for 2 years and fans who remember the game will remember Jason Roberts. He not only scored the two goals but his antics on the pitch. Earlier on this season they beat us 4-1 at the Hawthorns although we can consider ourselves somewhat unfortunate.

We had started that game the better of the two sides and Robbie Blake gave us the lead when his free-kick caught out Russell Hoult. The lead didn't last long with Artim Sakiri hitting an unstoppable piledriver, Burnley should have gone in front at half time with Alan Moore hitting a post when it was easier to score.

Rob Hulse then gave the home side the lead before we embarked on a solid 20 minute spell of pressure. Glen Little should have been given a penalty but wasn't and as so often this season we were caught on the break with Lee Hughes, scoring his first goals in years, sealing the victory.

These games don't often have many goals in them and the two visits prior to the 2-0 defeat saw us share 1-1 draws at the Turf. The last time Burnley beat Albion was back in 1992 with a 2-1 victory over Ossie Ardiles' side.....Simon Garner scored for the visitors after Steve Harper and Mike Conroy had given us a 2-0 lead.

With a new signing, injuries and a suspension it will be an all change Burnley line up tomorrow.

Richard Chadplow is serving his first suspension for his sending off at Mansfield and the injury to Paul Weller has cast doubt over who will play in the middle of the park alongside Tony Grant. if Weller is fit then he'll play in the middle of the park if not, it could mean a debut for Joel Pilkington. Stan has a number of options on the wings with Alan Moore and Glen Little back to full fitness alongside Luke Chadwick.

Arthur Gnohere is still out with his hamstring injury so the defence will remain the same as the one at Palace.

New signing Nathan Abbey goes straight in the squad and i would imagine will start instead of Brian Jensen. This would mean that Jensen would miss out playing against his former club.

Albion will also be keeping the eye on Robbie Blake tomorrow following recent transfer speculation between the two clubs. Burnley fans will be hoping Blake can continue to run the show for the side, as he has done for large parts of the season, against a strong looking West Brom side.

Its also been an interesting week for West Brom with Jason Roberts joining Wigan. Apparently Roberts spelt his name wrong when he handed in a transfer request. With Roberts' departure and Daniel Dichio's loan move to Millwall the visitors are quite weak upfront with only Geoff Horsefield, Rob Hulse and Lee Hughes available although it's doubtful whether Hughes will be involved due to his off the field problems.

Jason Koumas is the main injury doubt for Albion although Andy Johnson is fit again following his injury. New signing Mark Kinsella will also be in the squad and will probably make his debut at some stage during the afternoon.



Predicted Burnley Team:-

Abbey, Roche, May, McGregor, Camara, Little, Grant, Chadwick, Moore(A), Blake, Moore(I)

Subs:- Weller, Pilkington, West, Branch and Jensen


The referee is Nigel Miller(Co. Durham)