The Opposition: Burnley

The Gameplan
We are more than likely to play a fairly fluid 4-2-3-1 formation that we've
adopted recently and we'll be looking to get the ball down and pass and move
the way Coyle likes his football to be played.
Our strengths are certainly going forward as can probably be seen from our
goals against column. At times the formation leaves us too narrow but the
system should allow us to get the ball wide to players such as Wade Elliott,
Chris Eagles and when used Fernando Guerrero.
It is that we conceded goals far too easily, particularly away from home.
We're finding it difficult defensively but one of the main problems is
giving the ball away too cheaply in the midfield which is not helped by the
absence of Chris McCann.

Injuries/Suspensions
No suspensions but Chris McCann, Martin Paterson and Jay Rodriguez are all
out with long term injuries, all sustained in a two week period at the end
of September.

Goalkeeper Brian Jensen is also a doubt after coming off injured in last
Saturday's game
Diego Penny - we've seen little of him since he signed for £400,000 in the
summer of 2008. A Peruvian international but only made one league start and
that was the opening day of last season. If Jensen is out then he'll play.

Tyrone Mears - the pick of the summer signings without doubt. Good
defensively and lots of place which helps him get forward to help the
attack.

Clarke Carlisle - had a reasonably steady start to the season. Strong in the
air and certainly good enough at this level.

Steven Caldwell - recently back from injury and struggled last week. A good
reader of the game and a good organiser at the back.

Stephen Jordan - one of the players who divides opinion. I think he's as
good a left back as we've had in years at Burnley. Very good defensively,
very strong, not the quickest but getting better in supporting the forwards.

Graham Alexander - finally got his Premier League debut at the age of 37
(was 38 this month). A right back for much of his career he was brought to
Burnley to play in the holding role in front of the back four. Outstanding
during the promotion season, had a couple of indifferent games recently.

Andre Bikey - he's been moved into the midfield to give us some strength and
pace in there. He does some good stuff and some not so good stuff and at
times looks like a defender playing out of position. Scored a stunner
against Birmingham though.

Chris Eagles - another to divide opinion. On his day a match winner without
doubt but too often has given us his best performances when coming on as a
sub. On form he could be the difference.

Wade Elliott - forever a Burnley hero after scoring the play off final
winner. A winger for virtually all of his career he's now employed as an
attack minded central midfielder. His running with the ball can cause the
opposition a lot of problems.

Robbie Blake - our little magician. He's capable of anything. He's already
scored two wonderful goals this season and can create opportunities with
some great play. On his day he can very much be the match winner.

Steven Fletcher - our most expensive signing at £3 million he was moved back
to his more favoured striker role last week and looked very much the part.
Good in the air, good control of the ball, some pace and a good left foot.

Sub to watch for
Fernando Guerrero - only 19, speaks no English but at some stage this season
he's going to come on and tear a team apart. Pace, wonderful skills, not the
biggest of players but very soon he's going to run a defence ragged.

Tony Scholes is editor of Clarets Mad