I`ve just heard on Sky Sports News that Roy Hodgson was 3 the last time Fulham won at Turf Moor. I don`t know whether to laugh of cry! Anyhow, it`s back on the road for us this Saturday with a trip to Turf Moor to take on a side that are a lot better at home than they are on the road. Does that remind you of anyone?
Vital Quotes:
There`s no doubting, the record books show it, that Burnley will be a difficult proposition.
Already, at Turf Moor, they`ve beaten Manchester United and it`s a point Owen Coyle is quick to point out when he explains,
“There is pressure in every game, home and away, and we have shown we can go toe-to-toe with the very best.”
Is he trying to make us nervous or something?
Burnley Team News:
Owen Coyle, who led Burnley to promotion last season, will be without three of his first team squad with McCann, Paterson and Rodriguez.
Fulham will need to look out for the seasoned professionals in Elliott and Blake as well as Eagles who has a fair turn of pace.
Player to watch: Graham Alexander
I`ve picked him because he`s been playing for so long he might even have been around back in 1951 when Fulham last won at Turf Moor. Only joking, thoroughly good professional and if they get a penalty he`ll no doubt score!
Fulham Team News:
Roy Hodgson takes his Fulham squad to Burnley without three of his squad members in Simon Davies, Diomansy Kamara and Andrew Johnson.
Recent selections have seen Roy Hodgson vary his starting line up but we`ll have a bash at forecasting he`ll quite possibly go with:
Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Baird, Murphy, Greening, Duff, Zamora and Dempsey.
Player to watch: Clint Dempsey
Here`s hoping that our top scorer can get a goal or two to help carve out a win at Turf Moor, our first since time began it seems.
Match Facts & Stats
1951!
It seems like an age away but that`s the year that keeps being thrown at us as the year we last won at Burnley. Since then we`ve tried 28 times in all competitions.
But, we are on a good run with only a defeat at Birmingham being a blemish on a nine game Premier League run. But you might also like to consider the only time we`ve won on the road so far this season, is at Fratton Park on the opening day of the season.
Ref Watch:
The man in black / green / yellow, depending on his fashionable tastes, will be Alan Wiley!
Match Prediction:
With us not having won at Turf Moor since 1951 you hope that this will be the year that record ends. However with Burnley in such fine form at home a win, in their backyard will be an achievement, especially when you consider how poorly we can be on the road. Nevertheless, where`s there`s hope there`s life and I`m going to stick my head above the parapet and forecast a 1-0 win to Fulham. COYW`s!
Next Fixtures:
Our next Premier League match sees us visit Stoke City on Tuesday evening!
