Burnley sacked Sean Dyche on the 15th of April, a few days after they were beaten 2-0 by Norwich.
It’s worth noting that this was their most recent defeat and since then they have an excellent record of one draw and three wins in their four games since.
And it’s also worth taking a look at who those games were against to give us a better idea of their form.
After that Norwich defeat came a very good point at West Ham and then wins at home to Southampton and Wolves, followed by a win at Watford. Two of those wins are no great shakes, but the win over Wolves is three very decent points, even if the old gold seem to have downed tools somewhat lately.
To put it another way, that form over the last four games isn’t bettered by anyone else in the whole Premier league.
So it’s pretty formidable and pretty much proves that the team is battling hard.
Which is more than can be said for our lads, unfortunately.
That’s perhaps a little unfair as, as I’ve said previously, I do think they’re trying, but they’re just really not very good of late.
There’s also that severe doubt that many of us have about the team being tough enough and that’s definitely not a good place to be when you’re playing Burnley, who we all know have a very particular way of playing, which often isn’t pretty, but as Steven Gerrard has said, has enabled them to punch above their weight.
So we know the players are going to have a fight on their hands and it’s going to be very difficult to get anything out of this game.
This is probably the second easiest fixture we have left, after the return game at Villa park and three points today would make a difference between a bit of hope for the rest of the season and it fading out into even more of a damp squib.
Onto squad news and Leon Bailey is out after going off injured last week. Apart from one good effort, he was very poor and you really have to wonder if the manager will have run out of patience with him and his ongoing injuries. It doesn’t matter how good you are, you can’t give of your best when you’re in and out of the side all the time. I think we’ll see him gone in the summer.
Jacob Ramsey is a serious doubt after suffering something (we don’t know what) in training. Another training injury; the mind boggles. I actually think that’s not necessarily such a bad thing, as he’s looked very quiet over the last few games and there were calls from some that he be rested. Maybe this could prove good timing and he comes back in better shape after a game or two on the sidelines?
Gerrard has talked about how if the kids out-train the senior players, they’ll be rewarded and you would think that is a hint that Tim Iroegbunam will start again, possibly alongside Douglas Luiz this time, which I think might be worth seeing although I appreciate that many don’t think he should play if he doesn’t want to be at the club.
Morgan Sanson is back in the squad and I would guess there’s a strong possibility he’ll be picked to replace Ramsey
And Kortney Hause is still not available.
As for Burnley, Maxwel Cornet, who looks a very useful player and Erik Pieters may be available after both suffering knee injuries previously. Jay Rodriguez faces a fitness test but Ben Mee and Johann Berg Gudmundsson remain sidelined.
So what do I predict?
I don’t think we’ll win, but I do think we’ll be able to get a point and I’m going to go for 1-1
I won’t be betting on this one, that’s a cert as it could go any way, particularly with Burnley’s form when compared to ours.
UTV!
I wonder what Liverpool team will turn up Tuesday with last nights draw?
In hindsight Gerrard’s set up yesterday was very good. Got his team selection and tactics spot on including the substitutions. Fair play to Gerrard he seems to be getting the best out of Ings and Watkins playing up front together – combined tally of 17 goals which isn’t bad.
Thought Chambers did an excellent job and released Luiz to play higher up the field and shows why we need a top class number 6.
I agree with RSS – maybe wholesale changes are not required if you factor in that Traore, Sanson and (probably?) Bailey will be gone in the summer. There’s also a question mark over Young getting a further year. Players on loan – Trezeguet and El Ghazi will also leave the club; Wesley’s loan takes him to the end of his contract and Hourihane is out of contract in the summer.
The other player that I think will be replaced is Konsa. Not sure what has happened to him but he seems to have hit a plateau. Again yesterday he was guilty of ‘falling asleep’ with and without the ball.
Have I missed anyone?
Chukweumeka looked good when he came on and it’ll be interesting to see who blinks first over his contract. If his advisors think he’ll go to a top six club and get regular playing time they’re deluded – if he thinks it then he’s deluded and better that he goes!
Buendia was class and my MOTM.
UTV
Konsa is still young and shouldn’t be written off yet, he’s shown in the past he is more than capable.
Guest – one wonders whether there is an issue between Konsa and the coaching team? He’s only really known Smith as his manager, guide and mentor in his senior career.
All players go through bad spells, this is probably his, I just don’t see the value in selling him whilst he’s still so young, he’s not reached his peak and there’s a lot of talk on here alluding to wholesale changes which in my opinion is just plain daft, it looks to me like most of the players haven’t taken to Gerrard that well, I guess time will tell.
That’s a first – Newcastle – a goal offside from a corner?