Burnley

Plymouth 1-0 Burnley
Plymouth secured their first home win of the season with a Micky Evans goal from the second half kick-off, following good work by Rufus Brevett. However, Burnley will feel aggrieved after dominating the match, particularly after going a goal down. Plymouth goalkeeper Romain Larrieu was called on time and time again. Late on against the run of play David Norris forced Danny Coyne to save well before Graham Branch headed Burnley's final chance wide at the other end. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Plymouth caretaker boss Jocky Scott: "What the players have done in the last week has been great. But it's early in the season and they have got to do that to do that every week - they know that. "Getting the victory today - especially the first victory at home - was great for them because that will have given them a big boost and the fans, too. "That win moved us above Burnley - so it's something else to build on." Burnley boss Steve Cotterill: "Apart from the mistake for their goal we did all right. I thought the game had nil-nil written all over it to be honest. "I knew one goal could be enough and hoped we would get it - we created enough chances to win two games. "The performance was okay but it was an individual error again straight from the kick off. Today we got burned." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Plymouth: Larrieu, Doumbe, West, Aljofree, Brevett (Barness 74), Norris, Wotton, Djordjic (Capaldi 87), Derbyshire (Chadwick 71), Evans, Taylor. Subs Not Used: Buzsaky, Gudjonsson. Booked: Doumbe, Djordjic, Brevett, Norris, Barness. Goals: Evans 46. Burnley: Coyne, Duff, Lowe, McGreal, Harley, Elliott (Branch 57), Hyde, Spicer, James O'Connor, Noel-Williams, Akinbiyi. Subs Not Used: Jensen, McCann, Bermingham, Courtney. Booked: Harley, Duff. Att: 11,829 Ref: K Stroud (Dorset).

Pair staying on loan with Burnley
Burnley have extended the loan spells of defender Keith Lowe and striker Karl Bermingham for a further month. Lowe, 20, has made five appearances for the Clarets since arriving from Wolves, starting the last two games in place of the injured Frank Sinclair. Manchester City forward Bermingham, 19, has had just two outings but has done enough to earn an extended stay. Burnley boss Steve Cotterill said: "We are thankful to both Manchester City and Wolves for letting us do that."

Burnley 3-0 Barnsley
Burnley eased into the Carling Cup third round thanks to goals from Keith Lowe, Ade Akinbiyi and John Spicer. Burnley made the most of their one clear opening in the first-half when Graham Branch flicked on to Lowe, who headed low into the net. Six minutes after the restart Danny Coyne's long clearance was met by Akinbiyi, who drilling a low shot home. John Spicer added the third goal eight minutes later, firing a low shot into the bottom left corner. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burnley: Coyne, Duff, Lowe (Sinclair 74), McGreal, Harley, Spicer, Hyde (McCann 80), Garreth O'Connor, James O'Connor, Branch, Akinbiyi (Noel-Williams 75). Subs Not Used: Jensen, Lafferty. Booked: Branch. Goals: Lowe 28, Akinbiyi 52, Spicer 59. Barnsley: Flinders, Tonge, Austin, Williams, Devaney, Burns (McPhail 65), Kay, Wroe, Shuker, Nardiello (Conlon 71), Richards (Hayes 72). Subs Not Used: Colgan, Hassell. Booked: Kay. Att: 4,501 Ref: A Penn (W Midlands).

Cotterill likes Clarets' spirit
Burnley boss Steve Cotterill says the Clarets' dressing-room spirit belies their precarious league position. Cotterill told Burnley's website: "The spirit is good and you wouldn't believe that we are second from bottom. "In fact, we don't necessarily believe it either, but we have to realise it and that we're there for a reason. "The players and myself have a responsibility to make sure everybody else walks around the ground with a smiling face."

Burnley 3-0 Ipswich
Burnley midfielders James and Garreth O'Connor were on target as well as Chris McCann as Ipswich were soundly beaten at Turf Moor. Burnley took a deserved lead in the 33rd minute when Ade Akinbiyi slotted a pass through to James O'Connor, whose shot deflected viciously into the net. The hosts went further ahead when Garreth O'Connor hammered home a 25-yard free-kick. And the scoring was completed late on when an unmarked McCann headed in. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burnley manager Steve Cotterill: "That was a big, big win for us but one we deserved. We needed a bit of luck but we'll take a deflection as it's the only bit of luck we have had. "In the first half they had more of the possession without really hurting us but we gave a big performance. "Frank Sinclair could have come off injured after 10 minutes but he stayed on and that typified the performance." Ipswich manager Joe Royle: "The first goal was vital, a cruel deflection when we were well on top, passing everywhere but not threatening goal. "As the game wore on they got more and more confident. "We gave away a silly free-kick for their second goal and then they were in cruising." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burnley: Jensen, Duff, Lowe, Sinclair, Harley, Spicer (McCann 78), James O'Connor, Hyde, Garreth O'Connor, Branch, Akinbiyi (Bermingham 89). Subs Not Used: Elliott, Noel-Williams, Courtney. Goals: James O'Connor 33, Garreth O'Connor 72, McCann 87. Ipswich: Price, Sito, De Vos, Naylor, McEveley, Currie, Magilton (Peters 61), Horlock, Garvan, Bowditch (Haynes 61), Parkin. Subs Not Used: Wilnis, Juan, Supple. Att: 10,496. Ref: M Pike (Cumbria).

Thomas looking forward to surgery
Burnley defender Wayne Thomas is waiting for news on when he can have an operation to repair his injured knee. The 26-year-old was ruled out for the season after snapping knee ligaments against Reading on 29 August. And he told the club's website: "The specialists will confirm next week whether the medial ligament has healed enough for the knee to be operated on. "I'm over the worst though and once I've had the operation it's a six-month rehabilitation to build my strength."

Burley primed to clear the decks
Nigel Quashie could be the next high-profile departure as Southampton boss George Burley hints he is ready to clear the decks. Quashie, 27, missed Saints goalless draw against Crystal Palace with a stomach bug, increasing speculation of a January transfer move. Burley said: "I have been disappointed with some areas of the squad and a lot of changes have to be made. "I have to build a squad that wants to work for each other." Quashie followed Harry Redknapp to Southampton from Portsmouth in a £2.5m move last November and was a driving force in Saints unsuccessful battle to stay in the Premiership. While the Scottish international committed himself to helping Saints bounce back to the top flight, he saw the likes of Peter Crouch, Kevin Phillips, and Antti Niemi move on to Premiership clubs. Quashie has expressed his frustration at Saints lack of big-money investment, and that was increased with teenage sensation Theo Walcott's move to Arsenal. Although Quashie has not asked for a move, his form has dipped recently, and he cut a forlorn figure as Burley asked him to play in a role wide on the left of midfield against Ipswich. With Burley conceding that Saints have little prospect of making the play-offs this season, Quashie's only hope of a quick return to the Premiership would be a move. And with Burley making it clear he wants players who are committed to the cause for the long-term, Saints may decide to cash in on him. Burley is armed with the proceeds of the £5m down payment for Walcott to strengthen his squad, but he hinted that the transfer action may not be solely incoming. The Saints boss said: "I have to look at all the possibilities, both ins and outs. We need a squad that wants to work for each other. "I have three or four balls in the air and I'm just waiting for one or two to land as soon as possible." Burley has wasted little time in running the rule over his squad and has used just about every fit player in first-team contention. He said: "We have a big squad here but I've given everyone an opportunity to play so I don't think anyone can say they haven't had a chance. "But we've still been found wanting," said Burley who has also admitted he was shocked by the size of the task of rebuilding a Saints squad that was shattered physically, mentally and morally by relegation. Neither has Burley been shy in giving a chance to as many of Saints promising youngsters as possible. The latest youngster to be given a chance was Andrew Surman, who made his Championship debut against Crystal Palace. The 19-year-old returned from a loan spell at Bournemouth and impressed on the role on the left occupied by Quashie in the previous game. Burley will face a testing time between now and the end of the season, when Saints have 13 players out of contract. Although that will give Burley an easy opportunity to move some players on, the list also includes key men such as Matthew Oakley, Marian Pahars and Michael Svensson, who Burley would surely want to keep. It has become something of a mantra for any manager new to a club to state how big his task is, and to explain how it will take time to put it right. And Burley has been no exception, saying: "A lot of changes have to be made, it might take six months to a year so fans will just have to be patient. "I would hope to have a squad in the next year to push for promotion."

Stockport play down striker links
Stockport chief executive Kevan Taylor has denied reports linking striker Liam Dickinson with a possible move to Championship sides Burnley and Stoke. The 20-year-old joined from Unibond side Woodley Sports at the end of last year and has scored five goals in just four starts for County. "We haven't had any enquiries and I've heard nothing from Burnley or Stoke so it's just rumours," said Taylor. "We want Liam to sign a new contract to stay here for the next two seasons."

Burnley 0-3 Reading
Reading moved to within four wins of promotion to the Premiership but the victory at Burnley was overshadowed by an injury to striker Leroy Lita. Bobby Convey put Reading ahead with a fine volley before Lita was stretchered off with a possible broken leg after falling awkwardly while shooting. Ibrahima Sonko extended the Royals lead with a close-range header. Sonko headed over late on before Dave Kitson scored from six yards after a cross from Stephen Hunt. Burnley manager Steve Cotterill: "It's amazing what happens when you've a confidence crisis," said Cotterill. "It would be nice if there was a bottle of confidence they could drink and all be fine by next week. "We've got to carry on and we've got to knuckle down and try to do the things that got us to fifth in the table a few months ago." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burnley: Jensen, Thomas, Sinclair, McGreal, Duff, Harley, James O'Connor, Hyde, Spicer (Elliott 57), McCann, Lafferty. Subs Not Used: Karbassiyoon, Crossley, Garreth O'Connor, Courtney. Booked: James O'Connor. Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Sonko, Gunnarsson, Shorey, Oster (Little 52), Harper, Ingimarsson, Convey, Lita (Kitson 45), Doyle, Little (Hunt 83). Subs Not Used: Stack, Makin. Goals: Convey 10, Sonko 55, Kitson 90. Att: 12,888 Ref: M Jones (Cheshire).

Derby 3-0 Burnley
Derby's first-half onslaught against Burnley helped them ease to victory. The home side attacked in waves and took the lead when Michael McIndoe's cross was headed across goal by Kevin Lisbie and Tommy Smith tapped in. Inigo Idiakez added a second for the Rams when his low free-kick went through a Burnley wall and past unsighted keeper Brian Jensen. Another Idiakez set-piece struck the crossbar and left Darren Moore to head in to complete the home side's win. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Derby boss Terry Westley: "That's as good as I've seen us in my time in charge, and in my four years at the club. "Our attacking flair, the movement of the players when they don't have the ball, it was the best I've seen. "We didn't sit back and we finished the game off. I thought the second half was as good for our defensive shape and our determination to keep a clean sheet." Burnley boss Steve Cotterill: "I thought we had as much if not more possession but we've not actually hurt them. "The second goal, it's not a foul for me, but they've got a free-kick right on the edge of the box. "It's difficult when the referee has given them a cheap free-kick. I thought the crowd did a good job today of intimidating the referee." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Derby: Camp, Edworthy, Nyatanga, Moore, Wright, Smith, Bolder, Idiakez, Barnes (Thirlwell 80), McIndoe (Holmes 85), Lisbie (Peschisolido 88). Subs Not Used: Poole, Jackson. Goals: Smith 19, Idiakez 29, Moore 34. Burnley: Jensen, Thomas, McGreal, Sinclair (Duff 70), Harley, Elliott, McCann, Hyde (Branch 57), James O'Connor (Spicer 45), Garreth O'Connor, Ricketts. Subs Not Used: Noel-Williams, Lafferty. Booked: Sinclair, McGreal, Hyde. Att: 23,292. Ref: P Joslin (Nottinghamshire).

Stoke v Burnley
Stoke have doubts over defender Carl Hoefkens who picked up a thigh problem in the defeat against Crystal Palace. Midfielder Darel Russell (virus) and Dave Brammer (tendonitis) are also struggling to feature and winger Luke Chadwick has a hamstring problem. Right-back Phil Bardsley goes straight into the Stoke squad having joined on loan from Manchester United. Graham Branch has shown no ill effects from his return midweek, but midfielder Micah Hyde has sustained a knee injury.

Stoke 1-0 Burnley
Paul Gallagher grabbed Stoke's winner as they piled more misery on a Burnley side who have now lost their last six league games. Gallagher struck after 52 minutes when he struck with a low finish on the half-volley after latching on to Dave Brammer's cross to the far post. Burnley had a Michael Ricketts goal disallowed for offside but the visitors rarely looked like scoring. Hannes Sigurdsson headed over for Stoke late on as his side eased to a win. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stoke manager Johan Boskamp: "We are very happy with the three points. That is a very positive point. "In the first half we were too nervous and we lost the ball too easily. It wasn't a good game but we were better in the second half and luckily for us, Paul Gallagher scored the goal again. "They were two teams who were afraid to lose and they played very carefully, without taking a lot of risk and the luck came to us." Burnley manager Steve Cotterill: "It was certainly more encouraging than it has been for a while. "It was encouraging from where we've been. With the introduction on Andy Gray and Phil Bardsley, I thought we looked good. "I thought they fitted in very well and they'll get better as time goes on. "It's not easy this run we're in. We're missing a goal and if we'd scored in the first half we would have gone on and won the game." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stoke: Simonsen, Broomes (Buxton 45), Hoefkens, Duberry, Hill, Skoko, Brammer, Russell (Chadwick 62), Sidibe, Bangoura (Sigurdsson 80), Gallagher. Subs Not Used: de Goey, Mbuyi. Booked: Russell, Gallagher. Goals: Gallagher 52. Burnley: Jensen, Bardsley, Thomas, Duff, Harley, McCann (Noel-Williams 79), James O'Connor, Branch (Spicer 85), Garreth O'Connor (Elliott 64), Ricketts, Gray. Subs Not Used: Karbassiyoon, Lafferty. Booked: Ricketts, Harley, Bardsley. Att: 12,082 Ref: M Fletcher (Worcestershire).

Man denies racially abusing Ince
A 44-year-old man has denied making racist gestures and taunts at footballer Paul Ince during a Burnley football match on 14 February. George Jackson entered the not guilty plea on Wednesday to charges of racially-aggravated harassment. Mr Jackson, of Lyndhurst Road, Burnley, was released on bail to reappear at Burnley Magistrates' Court on 4 May. Wolves beat Burnley in the Championship match 1-0, with the only goal scored by 38-year-old Ince. As part of the conditions of Mr Jackson's bail he is banned from entering Burnley town centre for three hours before and after any of his club's home games. He is also barred from entering any town or city in the UK for three hours before or after football games where England or Burnley are playing.

Burnley 2-0 Norwich
Burnley put behind them six consecutive Championship defeats to all but end Norwich's slim play-off hopes. Andy Gray scored his first goal for Burnley, showing neat footwork, before shooting past goalkeeper Robert Green. Just before his goal Gray had headed the ball against his own bar as he went up to challenge Jonatan Johansson. Leon McKenzie should have done better with an lob and Burnley punished Norwich's profligacy further on 51 minutes as Graham Branch headed home. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burnley manager Steve Cotterill: "You take a lot of pleasure when you bring in a striker and they start scoring - I thought his all-round play was excellent. "We've been thinking this win has been a long time coming and to their credit the lads have stuck at it. "It has been tough on them lately and hopefully that will get us on our way." Norwich manager Nigel Worthington: "If you don't take your chances and you're not consistent, then you're going to struggle. "We had a good win last weekend against Sheffield United and then come to Burnley where we should be winning. "We had a very good start, but we missed good chances and after they scored we stopped passing." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burnley: Jensen, Bardsley, Duff, Sinclair, Harley, Elliott (Spicer 76), James O'Connor, McCann, Branch (Lafferty 88), Gray, Ricketts (Mahon 63). Subs Not Used: Karbassiyoon, Garreth O'Connor. Goals: Gray 18, Branch 51. Norwich: Green, Charlton (Safri 61), Shackell, Doherty, Fleming, Drury (Earnshaw 36), Johansson (Henderson 68), Hughes, Robinson, Huckerby, McKenzie. Subs Not Used: Etuhu, Gallacher. Booked: Robinson. Att: 11,938. Ref: C Webster (Tyne & Wear).

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