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McCarthy Hoping to Take Advantage of Burnley Celebrations
Friday, 25th Apr 2014 06:00

Mick McCarthy hopes Town can take advantage of Burnley’s celebrations when they take on the newly-promoted Clarets at Turf Moor in Saturday's live Sky game (KO 12.15pm). The Lancastrians confirmed their promotion back to the Premier League by beating Wigan 2-0 on Monday.

Town, who are currently ninth, two points off the top six, are still in with a chance of joining them in the top flight next season but first need to win the keenly contested battle for the final play-off place.

Victory at Turf Moor would see the Blues go into next week’s final game against Sheffield Wednesday still in the hunt, regardless of the results of their main rivals, Reading, Brighton and Nottingham Forest.

“If we win on Saturday we’re still in it until the last game of the season,” McCarthy said. “I think that’s where it puts us, which would be great.

“Going to Burnley is a tough ask, they will have been enjoying themselves this week and rightly so because of their achievement this season.

“If there’s ever a chance to take any advantage at all then maybe it’s this weekend because when you get promoted, you relax. There’s no doubt, you relax your guard.

“They’ve been playing at such an intensity for 44 games, maybe they will let their guard down a little bit. If they don’t, then we’ve got a hard afternoon because they’re a good team.”

The Town boss has been impressed with Sean Dyche’s side, who were largely unfancied at the start of the season.

“They’ve been fabulous,” he added. ”They’ve maintained it and I think everybody, me included, looking at the small squad that they had, [wondered if they could] keep them all fit, playing and injury free, but they have.

“A bit like ourselves, really. We’ve done well with a really small squad and played as few players as anybody.

“And a bit like us, Sean Dyche has got some good, experienced players who have been involved in Championship-winning teams.

“He’s got four of the lads I had at Wolves, in Jason Shackell, Michael Kightly, Dave Jones and Sam Vokes.

“Sam Vokes has become a really top striker at this level. He and Danny Ings have been the big difference, they’ve scored 40 or 50 goals between them. It’s been a real success story.”


In addition to their oft-praised strike force, the Clarets have also been good at the back, McCarthy says: “Defensively they’ve been brilliant, their defence is the best in the division, isn’t it? Jason Shackell’s turned out to be a really top player.

“I signed him from Norwich, he didn’t have the best of times and he went to Barnsley and Derby and now he’s the captain at Burnley. I think he’s been outstanding this season along with Michael Duff and Ben Mee.

“And I talk about Cressy being the best left-back, well Kieran Trippier is arguably the best right-back in the league. And with the keeper, Tom Heaton, they’ve had a really solid foundation.

“They haven’t spent millions but they did go out and sign Ashley Barnes for £700,000 or £800,000 in the transfer window, which helped them when they got a couple of injuries.

“I don’t know what they’ve spent but they are one of the lowest spenders in the league and it’s a testament to the work they’ve done.”

Brighton, who are seventh, ahead of the Blues on goal difference, behind Reading in the final play-off slot, play their home game against Yeovil tonight, but the result of that match will make no difference to McCarthy’s approach.

“We’re going to try and win. We try to win every game, it’s not like I’ve set up to be defensive,” he said. “We’ve tried to win every game and we’ll be exactly the same at Burnley.

“I didn’t even consider that Brighton are playing on Friday night because it doesn’t matter what they do. All we can do is win our game and stay in the mix for the following Saturday.”

McCarthy looks set to return to his regular back four with Christophe Berra back from the knee injury which saw him miss Monday’s game against Bournemouth.

The Scotland international will line-up alongside Tommy Smith at the heart of the defence with skipper Luke Chambers likely to move back to right-back in place of Frazer Richardson, who will be unfortunate to drop out having impressed on his first start for Town. Aaron Cresswell will continue at left-back with Dean Gerken in goal.

In central midfield Luke Hyam is definitely out with a hip flexor strain, while Anthony Wordsworth is considered a doubt after suffering a dead leg on Monday. If the former Colchester man isn’t fit then Paul Green could come into the side alongside Cole Skuse.

Paul Anderson is expected to miss out with a hamstring problem and McCarthy may opt to bring Frank Nouble back into the side on the right with Stephen Hunt perhaps on the left and Jonny Williams between the central midfield pair and main striker Daryl Murphy.

Burnley boss Sean Dyche is looking for six more points from the final two matches, despite having achieved their aim for the season.

"The destination is complete so I’m looking forward to the marvel of having two fantastic games coming up where the players can relax and play, and just play because they love playing," he told the Lancashire Telegraph.

“They can enjoy the occasion but still with the winning mentality. There are words we’ve used a lot, relentless, limitless. It’s just a mindset. I think it’s ground into them.

“They will be going hard. I’ve already told them ‘make no mistake, the whistle blows and we are ready to go’.

“We want maximum points out of the next two games and to keep our integrity for the division because they are important games and I would like to think if the shoe was on the other foot that teams were going hard to make sure they gave performances, so we will certainly be doing that."

Burnley right-back Trippier is expected to be OK despite picking up a knock during Monday’s promotion-sealing win against Wigan, but striker Vokes will miss out having undergone knee surgery and defender Luke O'Neill is sidelined with a thigh problem.

No member of either current squad has represented the opposition, but Tony Loughlan, Roy Keane’s first-team coach during his time at Town, currently fills the same role at Burnley.

In October at Portman Road, Scott Arfield’s second half goal saw league leaders Burnley to a 1-0 victory over the Blues, their first win on Suffolk soil since January 1970. The midfielder stooped to head home in the 80th minute of a tight encounter.

On the final day of last season at Turf Moor, second-half goals from Junior Stanislas and Martin Paterson saw Town fall to a 2-0 defeat.

After a dull first half, the game, played between two teams with nothing to play for, improved slightly after the break with the home team deserving the victory.

Overall, Town have won 18 of the games between the sides (17 in the league), Burnley 12 (12) with a further 10 (10) ending in draws.

Prior to kick-off Town fans are welcome to drink and park at Burnley Cricket Club, which is just behind the away end. The club still have half-price coach tickets on sale for Saturday's game.

Saturday’s referee is James Linington from Newport, Isle of Wight, who has shown 107 yellow cards and five red in 35 games this season.

Linington’s most recent Town match was the 3-1 home victory over Middlesbrough in September in which he booked Luke Chambers and Luke Hyam and one Teessider.

Squad from: Gerken, Loach, Chambers (c), Richardson, Cresswell, Mings, Berra, Smith, Skuse, Wordsworth, Green, Hunt, Tabb, Henshall, Williams, Murphy, Nouble, Taylor, Ebanks-Blake, Marriott.


Photo: Action Images



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Rentaghost added 07:06 - Apr 25
We have nothing to lose. Attack attack attack. As long as we win thats all that matters.
1

bring_back_Wickham added 07:17 - Apr 25
3-5-2:

Gerken
.................Smith Chambers Berra
Richardson,,....................................Cresswell
,.....................Wordsworth Skuse
,..............................Williams
........................Murphy Nouble
0

jas0999 added 07:46 - Apr 25
A must win game. Congratulations to Burnley though. An excellent season.

Have been saying all season that if ME just made a few quid, not millions, available to mick it would have made a massive difference. Burnley are evidence of that. Didn't spend a lot but topped up the squad with a relatively affordable player and bingo. Promotion.
4

rfretwell added 08:09 - Apr 25
A win for Town and we could make it in the final match home to Sheff Wed. Reading will be home v Burnley, Reading away to Forest. BELIEVE
0

rfretwell added 08:12 - Apr 25
Virrection, Brighton will be away v Forest
0

Keaneish added 08:20 - Apr 25
4 points to equal magilton, 6 points to better him.
Regardless of the nonsense play off dream we've continually spurned, id like to see McCarthy better Magilton so even the staunchest critics can point to progress.
8

blueherts added 09:30 - Apr 25
Like the 5-3-2 idea - as I have said before got to go out 'to win' not go out 'not to lose' as is the norm - If we go behind MM will be forced into attack mode
COYB - Best season for many a year and lets push on next season and ME , give him some cash
2

Walk_the_Wark added 10:18 - Apr 25
"It's not like I set up to be defensive" haha
3

TR11BLU added 10:21 - Apr 25
For what its worth I think we will lose this one. We have come up short against the top teams ALL season.

Really hope Im wrong, but its been a great season whatever happens in the final two games.

Come on Town, put on a show for the cameras.
3

Stewart27 added 11:37 - Apr 25
Gerkin

Chambers Berra Smith Cresswell

Taylor Skuse Williams Hunt

Murphy Nouble
0

Lightningboy added 11:48 - Apr 25
I think it'll be goals galore tomorrow..almost feels like a play-off match.
Let's hope Yeovil do us a favour tonight first.
2

TimmyH added 13:18 - Apr 25
'Hoping' and I think that is the key word, if the Burnley we know of this season turns up then we're in trouble, we've got more to play for but sometimes that doesn't always work in your favour. 'Hoping' we can take it to the last day of the season.
2

Jimmyonthewing added 13:52 - Apr 25
Unfortunately I don't think Burnley will do a Leicester and allow themselves to get spanked at home by a playoff chasing side on the back of achieving promotion. However this will be a real test of how good we are against one of the top two in the division - results hitherto this season suggest we will lose but lets hope...
2

warksonwater added 14:31 - Apr 25
Shame about the Easter weekend. Could and should have been four points. Got one. Major difference at this time of the season. Means a draw at Burnley, otherwise a good result, will be no good and we'll be out of contention.
Never mind, thanks MM for having turned things round. Relegation certainties last season to play-off hopefuls this, amazing transformation. And we've finished in the top half for the first time for five years!
5

irishtim added 16:43 - Apr 25
Have a sneaky feeling we just might mug them. Let's hope so.
0

AndrewPC added 17:17 - Apr 25
Burnley 2 Town 0
1

blueboy1981 added 17:49 - Apr 25
jason0999 - ........... not at all sure that money being made available to MM this season would have made much, if any difference - this very squad of players has not realised it's true potential in my opinion.
Negative tactics / dubious substitutions having been the issues All season - other than by accident.
Not forgetting players playing out of position more often than not, not all of course, but certainly some.
This in itself points in the direction of negativity in terms of effect unfortunately.

Reasonable season - YES - but could have been better in terms of entertainment, and results.
0

blueboy1981 added 17:54 - Apr 25
'We try to win every game, it's not like I've set up to be defensive' !!!!!

There had just got to be a 'smile' behind the hand - when those words were spoken.
1

bingboast added 18:45 - Apr 25
Lets be realistic, we have achieved better than we expected at start of season, no to play offs, plan & build for 2014/5. COYB
1

Pip50 added 19:09 - Apr 25
How is this all progress. The only consistent thing is the negative defensive tactics and sh.te football. Even that has seen us spill 5 goals in the last two games when by some fluke play offs where possible. My only hope is we are not embarrassed on TV.
Please go now. Moyes is available !!
-3

floridaboy added 19:27 - Apr 25
Playing one up front is an absolute pointless exercise. Have to play 4-4-2 with Murphy up front with Nouble - last resort as there is no one else!!!

Gerken
Chambers, Berra, Smith, Cresswell
Richardson, Skuse, Williams, Hunt
Murphy, Nouble

Might seem daft with Richardson on the right side of midfield but thought he looked good going forward last week and with the need for a win it just might work.

Trouble is MM will never be prepared to take that sort of gamble.

Still can only dream

2-1 to Town or an absolute pasting!
-1

halsteadblue added 19:28 - Apr 25
Win lose or draw tomorrow I for one am proud of what mick and the boys have done this season on such little resources its been the best season for many a year but its still not over till the fat lady sings so much can happen in the next two games win them both and I believe we can gives us a chance.........BELIEVE.............COYB.
2

oldegold added 20:28 - Apr 25
MM...just attack them and go for the win. please don't give us any more of your hoofing up, route 1, catenaccio, sterile, boot it up soccer.We NEED to win so go for it..we have nothing to lose..get that win and who knows...
2

Beattiesballbag added 21:35 - Apr 25
Amazing that people say we have done better than expected this season?

Last season under Mick he stopped the rot & we averaged 1.6 points per game & had we done as well this season we would have 70 points by now but as it is we have averaged 1.47 points this season...........in my book that is not progress or an improvement on last season.
Last season we moved forward under Mick as he brought about a massive improvement, The close season did not bring an improvement........unfortunately this season we have not done as well under Mick ...........shame people can't be honest enough to face reality.........we're not moving forward!
0

blue added 22:07 - Apr 25
Burnley have a few more bevvies tonight , ipswich on song 1-3 or 0-4 wont do them any harm and give us a chance what with final fixtures interesting can just sneak in.Wigan lose all 3 remaining even better , COYB POSITIVE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
0


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