Cascarino’s Premier League Preview: Burnley v Stoke
I’m afraid this could be the last throw of the dice for Burnley when they take on Stoke at Turf Moor. Ok, there may be little difference in terms of points between the clubs at the bottom of the table but unlike their fellow relegation candidates, the Clarets are not showing any signs that they can go on a run of form picking up points towards survival.
Brian Laws knew he had a really tough job on his hands when he took over at Burnley but under his leadership things have not improved. In fact, they’ve got worse. The problem that the Clarets have had all season is that they are simply too easy to beat. They have tried to play their own brand of football but unless you are blessed with a superb set of players, you have to be a bit more pragmatic in your approach. Birmingham have done just that this season and the Clarets’ opponents Stoke did it last season, Burnley unfortunately haven’t adapted in the same way.
For me, the departure of Owen Coyle was a damning indication of where he thought the club was heading. I don’t think he would have left for Bolton if he thought that the Clarets could survive in the Premier League. He obviously felt without major investment the team was simply not good enough to stay up and that is looking more and more likely with each passing week.
Burnley’s terrific early season displays at Turf Moor have dried up and when that began to happen, the only way was down for the club. After all, they possess the worst away record since the Premier League began. Next up Brian Laws’ team face a horrible match against Stoke.
The Potters FA Cup run was ended at Stamford Bridge last weekend and although the players may be a little disappointed, they will realise there is no shame in losing at Chelsea. Tony Pulis is a realist and will have his players back up for this game as they look to build on a terrific recent run of form. I don’t think the cup defeat will leave the players thinking too negatively as they’ve shown they can compete with some of the best teams in the country in recent weeks. In fact, the team which is more likely to be in a negative mood is surely Burnley who have lost their last 4 matches in succession including a home defeat to rock-bottom Portsmouth.
Burnley are in deep trouble as they have not learnt to improve at the ugly side of the game in their first season in the Premier League. Their opponents Stoke have made a reputation out of excelling in the ugly side but by ‘ugly’ I don’t mean being a dirty side. Tony Pulis’ team defend well, they keep their shape, they put teams under pressure and work their socks off each week. The Potters may not be the greatest team to watch but there can be no argument that what they do is effective. If you don’t have the quality of player to deal with the step up in class that the Premier League undoubtedly brings, then you have to at least be difficult to play against. On too many occasions this season, Burnley haven’t.
This match will be a contrast of styles but with Stoke hard to beat, I am tipping this Super 6 match to result in a draw which doesn’t really help Burnley’s survival hopes as they need to start winning at Turf Moor again soon. Home wins are fundamental to their hopes of staying up as it’s hard to see the Clarets picking up anything away from Turf Moor leading up to the end of the season.
Tags: Burnley, Football betting, Football Pools, Premier League, Stoke, Super 6, Tony Cascarino
