A draw at the Turf a week last Sunday means a replay in front of something very rare indeed, a full house at the ground just down the M65. They must have really pulled out all the stops over there to achieve that but it shows once again what a big attraction Burnley FC are.
We go into the game after two tough away league matches in the last six days against teams in the top six of our league whilst Blackburn have been able to relax and recharge their batteries on a trip to Dubai. They haven’t played since the first match at the Turf.
We’ve had FA Cup wins at Ewood before and back in 1959 goals from our two inside forwards Jimmy
Our team that day was Colin McDonald, Tommy Cummings, David Smith, Bobby Seith,
Tonight’s line up will depend very much on the injury situation but it looks as though John McGreal will definitely be ruled out with Micah Hyde having little or no more chance of making it.
However it is looking as though Frank Sinclair is winning his battle to be fit and if so would surely come straight back into the side alongside Gary Cahill in the centre of defence with Michael Duff going back on the right hand side.
That would then leave Steve Cotterill with a choice as to whether he would leave out Lee Roche or John Oster.
I suspect if Frank does make it then we will line up:
Former loan player Andy Todd is ruled out of the home side after collecting his fifth yellow card of the season against us in the first tie. The likely replacement is Aaron Mokoena although it could mean a place for one of Souness’ top signings Lorenzo Amoruso or Craig Short.
Their obnoxious midfielder and drag queen Lily will play but the almost equally obnoxious forward Paul Dickov could miss out following the injury he sustained in that collision with John McGreal.
Also doubtful is Domonic Matteo who missed the first match with a thigh strain and should he and Dickov be ruled out then their probably team is:
Brad Friedel, Lucas Neill, Aaron Mokoena, Ryan Nelsen, Nils-Eric Johansson, Brett Emerton, Tugay, Lily, Morten Gamst Pedersen, Matt Jansen, Paul Gallagher. Subs from: Peter Enckelman, Steven Reid, Lorenzo Amoruso, Jay McEveley, David Thompson, John Stead, Jemal Johnson, Jay Bothroyd, Garry Flitcroft.
The only thing left to say is:
COME ON YOU CLARETS