In search of that first away point

Our last away point came at Leicester, back in April last year when we drew 0-0 in the penultimate away game of the season.

At that time, Leicester hadn't lost at home since a shock 2-1 reverse against Barnsley in January, but six days after our visit they went down to a 2-1 home defeat against West Ham as the Hammers pushed for a promotion place.

This season, they've opened up with two wins at home, against Peterborough and Blackpool but on the road it has been a very different story and they've lost all three so far at Charlton, Blackburn and Wolves, three teams who are new to the division this season.

David Nugent is a threat

They are a club with some money behind them and yesterday the ownership changed when it was transferred to become under the direct control of duty free operators King Power International, a move that chairman Aiyawatt Raksriaksorn says is preparing them for life in the Premier League.

"This is all part of our plan to fund and deliver a programme of long term, sustainable success for the football club," Raksriaksorn said. "We are delighted to bring Leicester City directly under the ownership of King Power International, where it will be established as a core part of the group's overall interests."

Manager Nigel Pearson already had money available to him and that showed in the summer when he was able to splash out a seven figure sum on Jamie Vardy, a striker who was playing non-league football last season at Fleetwood.

He was one of six signings alongside Ritchie De Laet and Matty James, who both arrived from Manchester United, Portsmouth's Marko Futacs, Zak Whitbread from Norwich City and the most intriguing of the lot, Anthony Knockaert from French club Guingamp, a player who Burnley opted not to take after a tip off from a member of this site's message board.

It has been a mixed start for them. They are considered one of the promotion prospects, but right now they sit just behind us on goal difference with the pair of us in 18th and 19th places after last night's games.

Although they've only scored six goals in the league, they've scored in every game, with Andy King, ruled out tonight, the only player to have scored twice. Of great concern to us, David Nugent, a regular scorer against us, is still to get off the mark. His last goal was the winner at the beginning of April.

Pearson could field a similar side to the one that lost at Wolves. With King out, having suffered a hamstring injury, James is likely to come in. Beyond that, Sean St Ledger and Knockaert are pushing for starting places and with Pearson unhappy with the defence he could opt for a change.

Their team at Wolves was: 1. Kasper Schmeichel, 2. Ritchie de Laet, 5: Wes Morgan, 22: Liam Moore, 3: Paul Konchesky, 7: Ben Marshall, 4: Daniel Drinkwater, 10: Andy King (16. Matty James), 11: Lloyd Dyer (24: Anthony Knockaert), 35: David Nugent, 9: Jamie Vardy (14: Martyn Waghorn). Subs not used: 13: Conrad Logan, 12: Sean St Ledger, 20: Jermaine Beckford, 29: Marko Futacs.

Last season the talk was all about our away form but right now we are looking to turn things round on the road after those early defeats. Even in the latter stages of last season we'd lost the habit of winning away and have now won just twice in eleven away games since the 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest at the end of January.

Tonight's game gives us a chance to improve that record at a ground where, one game apart, we have a very good record with six clean sheets in seven visits and four wins.

We'll certainly go there with more confidence after Saturday's win against Peterborough and, whilst not too hot defensively, it was our best performance by some distance since the opening day win.

Charlie Austin, with his two or three goals, was the hero. Chris McCann had an outstanding game too, but the name on everyone's lips has been that of Junior Stanislas. Targeted at the previous home game, he turned in arguably his best performance for us since arriving from West Ham in August last year.

A fit and stronger Junior Stanislas

He was a major disappointment last season but Junior himself explained: "Last season I didn't get much of a pre-season through injury."

He's much happier now and added: "This season I had one and it went really well. I feel a lot fitter and stronger so maybe I am able to get in those positions, whereas last year physically maybe I wouldn't have been able to.

"Having not scored last season it's been good to make a scoring start this season. I have got a couple already so hopefully I can continue scoring and assisting as well.

"Anyone attacking needs to contribute goals really. Goals were a part of my game growing up and in the early part of my career as well, so everyone has to score. You can't leave it down to the strikers."

Stanislas believes there is more to come. "I don't think the supporters have seen the best of me," he added. "I think as the season goes on, God willing, they will see a lot more from me and the team. I know where I am on it and feeling good I know I can do a lot, as long as I am feeling fit and strong I am sure I will have a good season."

Stanislas will line up for Burnley tonight in a team where I don't envisage many changes. There have been suggestions that David Edgar could return for Michael Duff, but that would be harsh on Duff who needs a run of games rather than just coming in for one.

The big question remains about Martin Paterson and a late decision will be made as to whether he should play or not. Supporters will be keen to see him in the team; incredibly we have not lost a game with Paterson starting since August 2010 when we went down 1-0 at Swansea. Should he not be risked, then Sam Vokes is likely to fill his place.

Edgar for Duff, Vokes for Paterson, and potentially Cameron Stewart could come in for Ross Wallace although, I think, away from home, Wallace is more likely to start. As for Brian Stock; there has been no indication as to whether he's fit yet but you never know.

Hopefully, Paterson will play and the team could be unchanged which would see us line up: Lee Grant, Kieran Trippier, Michael Duff, Jason Shackell, Joseph Mills, Ross Wallace, Dean Marney, Chris McCann, Junior Stanislas, Martin Paterson, Charlie Austin. Subs: Brian Jensen, David Edgar, Ben Mee, Marvin Bartley, Brian Stock, Cameron Stewart, Sam Vokes.

Last Time We Were There

Burnley drew twice away last season. Both were 0-0, the first at Cardiff and then at Leicester. The two games could not have been more different.

The Cardiff game was an awful 90 minutes to match the game we'd played there in the Carling Cup, but at Leicester, as the season was drawing to a close, the two sides played out a very enjoyable game.

A Charlie Austin header hit both posts

We were the better side in the first half but things turned round after the break with Leicester, for the most part, looking the more likely.

Eddie Howe brought Danny Lafferty back into the side. With Brian Easton having been banished, and Ben Mee out injured, we'd been playing with Ross Wallace at left back. This move enabled Wallace to play further up the pitch.

Less than 300 Burnley fans saw us get on top during the first half with most of the play down the far end from where we were situated. Unfortunately, we just couldn't get a breakthrough but it should have come when Sol Bamba incredibly got both hands on a Chris McCann effort with the Premier League's top homer Mike Jones giving nothing. It was the closest we came but we were deserving of better than 0-0 at half time.

In the second half we never really got into it as we'd done previously and Leicester asked a lot of questions of us defensively, all of which were answered.

It wasn't one way and it was us, through Charlie Austin, who came closest to breaking the deadlock. Austin, in a rich vein of form, almost added another goal. He headed one opportunity over the bar but when the next chance came he headed a Kieran Trippier cross against the foot of the post.

Incredibly it went right across the line and hit the other post but even then Austin nearly got in to scramble it home, but Bamba won the day for Leicester as he managed to get it away for a corner.

Overall it was a good game. It was the last point we got on the road so maybe it's time for the next tonight.

The teams last season were;

Leicester: Kasper Schmeichel, Lee Peltier, Wes Morgan, Sol Bamba, Paul Konchesky, Ben Marshall, Richie Wellens, Daniel Drinkwater, Lloyd Dyer (Paul Gallagher 72), Jermaine Beckford (Jeffrey Schlupp 72), David Nugent. Subs not used: Sean St. Ledger, Andy King, Steve Howard. 

Burnley: Lee Grant, Kieran Trippier, Michael Duff, David Edgar, Danny Lafferty, Ross Wallace, Marvin Bartley, Dean Marney, Junior Stanislas (Josh McQuoid 67), Chris McCann (Danny Ings 79), Charlie Austin. Subs not used: Brian Jensen, Cameron Howieson, Joe Jackson.

Previous Games against Leicester

Click HERE to see all previous results against Leicester