Burnley look to turn things round at Hull

Brian Easton - suggestions he could be left out

Hull have been pretty kind to us over the last two years or so. We took six points from them in the Premier League season, winning our only away game of the season at the KC Stadium, and we repeated that last season with another double of them.

Now, we go there on the back of four successive defeats that have seen us drop down to 21st in the table. It's a far cry from just a few weeks ago when we beat Coventry and Blackpool but, even including those two games, we've now lost no less than seven of our last nine games including the Carling Cup exit at Cardiff.

Manager Eddie Howe spoke about grinding out a 1-0 win, something we did there last season courtesy of a stunning display from goalkeeper Lee Grant. He's so right. Had we shown any real defensive qualities in the last two games we'd be sat now with four points more than we have and there would be no immediate worries.

As it is, defeat today and a home win for Bristol City against Southampton (however likely that might be) would see us drop into the relegation positions.

Howe, like everyone else, is fully aware of the defensive problems we have and that's why he worked hard to bring in a couple of players this week. He wasn't successful with either of them and that means we now have the same squad for the next seven league games at least which takes us to the end of 2011.

Will he make changes today? It's hard to say but the local press spoke out this week about the need to take Brian Easton out of the firing line.

The back four seems to be the only positions he's likely to make changes from the team beaten at Birmingham which was: Lee Grant, Kieran Trippier, Michael Duff, David Edgar, Brian Easton, Ross Wallace, Marvin Bartley, Chris McCann, Keith Treacy, Sam Vokes, Jay Rodriguez. Subs: Jon Stewart, Andre Amougou, Dean Marney, Junior Stanislas, Zavon Hines.

Our Opponents - Hull City

A lot has happened at Hull since their last home game. Three weeks ago they were beaten 2-0 at the KC Stadium by West Ham but it was to be Nigel Pearson's last game in charge of the club.

He's gone back to Leicester and there was much speculation as to who would take over with former manager and ex-Claret Warren Joyce heavily linked. In the end they opted to give the job to Nick Barmby on a caretaker basis whilst stressing that they were not actively looking for anyone else.

So Barmby should have the job for some time and he got off to a winning start at Derby last week when both Matty Fryatt and Cameron Stewart scored in a 2-0 win.

That win ensured that Hull remained above old boss Pearson's Leicester and they currently sit in sixth place in the table, just inside those play off positions.

Their problem has been a constant struggle to score goals at home. Last season they scored just 21 goals at the KC, the lowest in the division, and this season have hit the net just seven times and only bottom club Doncaster have scored less.

Doncaster are also the only team to have scored less goals in total this season but Hull do have a mean defence and only West Ham and Middlesbrough have conceded less.

Things might change with Pearson gone and Barmby in and I would expect them to start playing a more open style of football.

As for today, Barmby will not be able to select Aaron McLean who serves a one match suspension and he's also without Martyn Waghorn, Martin Pusic, Seyi Olofinjana and Richard Garcia, all of whom remain out with injuries.

He will, however, have Andy Dawson available. He's fit again and could play for the first time since September.

Hull's winning team at Derby was: Peter Gulacsi, Liam Rosenior, James Chester, Jack Hobbs, Joe Dudgeon, Robert Koren, Paul McKenna, Corry Evans, Aaron Mclean, Cameron Stewart, Matty Fryatt. Subs: Adriano Basso, Paul McShane, Tom Cairney, Robbie Brady, Dele Adebola.

Last Time We Were There

Burnley arrived at Hull last season bang in form under new manager Eddie Howe. We'd won five of the last eight league games, four out of five, and had won the previous two at Preston and at home to Crystal Palace.

Lee Grant - brilliant performance

Ahead of the game we'd also strengthened the squad with the loan capture of Aston Villa's England under-21 international Nathan Delfouneso. By the time the game finished in a 1-0 win, and with Delfouneso getting the goal, we were beginning to look firm favourites for promotion.

That goal took only five minutes to come, and it is a move that has become familiar to us with the right wing corner routine. On this occasion it was played back in for Delfouneso to score from close range rather than the shot from the edge of the box.

We dominated the opening 25 minutes or so but then Hull did start to come into the game, but by half time it was still 1-0 and the Clarets on course for another away win.

The second half was a different story and for a long time we were very much under the cosh. Hull threw everything at us but time and time again Michael Duff was the hero at the back. He'd turned in an outstanding performance there almost a year earlier and this was every bit as good.

When Duff, and the rest of the defence, were beaten then Hull found Grant in unbelievable form. He saved everything with two absolutely stunning saves. Those two, along with Dean Marney who had his best ever Burnley game against his old team, were our three outstanding players.

Three successive wins, games in hand on the top six and right on their heels, as we left the KC that night I'm sure most felt we were heading for the play offs.

The teams were;

Hull: Brad Guzan, Liam Rosenior, James Chester, Anthony Gerrard, Andy Dawson, Robert Koren, James Harper (Jay Simpson 87), Corry Evans, Nick Barmby (David Amoo 72), Aaron Mclean, Matty Fryatt. Subs not used: Mark Oxley, Tijana Belaid, Jack Hobbs, Tom Cairney, Richard Garcia.

Burnley: Lee Grant, Tyrone Mears, Clarke Carlisle, Michael Duff, Danny Fox, Jack Cork, Dean Marney, Ross Wallace (Wade Elliott 73), Chris Eagles (Chris Iwelumo 82), Jay Rodriguez, Nathan Delfouneso. Subs not used: Brian Jensen, David Edgar, Andre Bikey, Marvin Bartley, Graham Alexander.

Previous Games against Hull City

Click HERE to see all previous results against Hull City