Burnley vs. Sheffield United
Saturday, 1st January 2011
@ Turf Moor - Kick-Off: 3:00pm
The Clarets won away on Boxing Day, beating Barnsley 2-1; it was their first away win of the season under boss Brian Laws and the clubs’ first win at Oakwell for 78 years.
The game had threatened to be postponed early on, not due to the pitch conditions but due to the lack of facilities for supporters, with toilets and sinks frozen up.
But for the visitors it turned to a similar fashion when Tykes top scorer Adam Hammill (25 minutes) put paid to the Lancastrians misery on the road; former Sheffield Wednesday stopper Lee Grant initially saved Hammill’s effort but the former Liverpool trainee knocked home the rebound.
Banners suggesting ‘Laws Out’ were waved but maybe they were taken down when on loan Manchester United striker John Guidetti (49) headed home for his first goal for the club and moments later defender André Biikey (54) notched the winner.
Like United, the Clarets are in search of a new maanger after - two days ago they relieved former Sheffield Wednesday manager Brian Laws of his duties at Turf Moor.
On the same day Preston North End also reviewed their league position and decided that Darren Ferguson should also leave the club.
Burnley were boosted by the return of Chris Eagles (back) for their trip to South Yorkshire and may have selected him in their visit to Laws former stomping ground; Scunthorpe United just a few days ago.
However striker Martin Paterson (thigh) is listed as doubtful with Chris Iwelumo hopeful of taking his place; Brian Easton is likely to take the place of injured Danny Fox (ankle) at left-back.
Expected Eleven: Grant, Mears, Alexander, Bikey, Easton, Carlisle, Wallace, Elliott, Cork, Guidetti, Rodriguez.