The Opposition View: Burnley
Jack May talks to Joe at TurfCast to get a home perspective of tonight's game.
If loving Wayne Rooney is wrong then I don’t want to be right.
Yet another promotion contender this Tuesday night and do you know what? I’m not worried.
I mean, I am a bit. But not as much as I should be.
After bagging six goals and six points against Sunderland, West Brom, and Luton in our last three, a trip to Burnley under the lights doesn’t sound quite as terrifying a prospect as it did just a few weeks ago.
Our guest for this midweek edition of Opposition View - Joe from TurfCast - is still confident of his side’s chances, but with a score prediction of only 1-0 I think we can take that as somewhat of a compliment.
Yes, I’m probably getting way too ahead of myself, and yes there’s a high chance I’ll be eating some humble pie late Tuesday night, but it looks like the big boys are starting to pay a little bit more attention to little old Argyle.
Anyway, enough of that. Here’s my interview with Burnley fan Joe from TurfCast (the podcast which, coincidentally, is ALSO a nominee in the Football Content Awards Best Podcast: Football League Category).
Enjoy.
I can’t quite put my finger on your start to the season. Thumpings of Luton and Cardiff in the first week. A loss to Sunderland. A win against Leeds. Draws against Blackburn and Oxford. How would you sum it up so far?
Think it’s worth pointing out that the first two games of the season was a different team. Since then we’ve lost a lot of players and brought a lot in who have had to try and get used to a new team, new way of playing etc, and because of the circumstances surrounding another mad summer at the club I’d say it’s been a decent start from us.
After your previous relegation from the Premier League in 21/22 you stormed your way to the title, picking up just three losses all season to send yourselves straight back up. Can you see something similar happening this season?
Probably not because that was just somewhat of a one off - we broke a lot of championship records that season - earliest team to be promoted and won the league earliest, fell a little short of the points though. However, what I will say is at the same stage this season we’re actually two points better off.
Highlight of the season so far?
Probably beating Leeds at Elland Road. They’ve had our number recently and even managed to relegate us from the PL when they beat Brentford on the final day afew years ago, so it was good to give some back.
How was the off-season for you? Any big signings, in or out?
Plenty! How long have you got? Muric, O’Shea, Odobert, Berge, Weghorst, Amdouni, JBG and more all leaving with Hladky, Anthony, Hannibal, Sarmiento, Laurent, Worrall and, again, more all coming in. There was A LOT of change.
What was the reaction when gaffer Vincent Kompany left for Bayern Munich in May?
Overriding reaction was shocked, for as good as we were in the championship last time we were god awful in the premier league and I was surprised to see one of the biggest clubs in the world wanted him. He essentially failed upwards but at the same time I can see him doing well there - he suits being the manager at the club with the biggest budget and best players in that league with his style - doesn’t work when you’re going toe to toe with players better than you though.
Scott Parker stepped in to take the reins. What was your initial reaction to the appointment, and how are you feeling about it now?
Honestly underwhelmed when he was first appointed but I’ve been impressed with the way he’s handled challenges like losing all your players so far, and we’re in a decent position. I would like to see us playing with a little bit more freedom but hopefully that comes as the new players all gel.
Where do you think you could cause us some problems on Tuesday?
On the wings. Luca Koleosho is a BIG talent and will go on to have a brilliant player, his end product can sometimes be a little lacking as he’s only young but he’s stated the season brilliantly. He’s a premier league standard player already though so it’s no surprise - biggest surprise is that we kept hold of him.
What about weak areas?
Probably at full-back, but hopefully Connor Roberts is back from injury as that will help us out a lot. We’ve had to square peg round hole it recently at right back so him coming back in will help us.
Who’s your one to watch?
Already mentioned him but Luca Koleosho - he will fly down the wings and hopefully get some goals and assists.
How do you feel about the prospect of hosting Plymouth Argyle at home right now? Easy win? Should win? Potential banana skin?
Yeah we SHOULD win when you look at the two squads but football doesn’t work like that does it. Every game is a banana skin in this league - that’s the beauty of the championship.
And finally, what’s your score prediction?
Burnley 1-0 Plymouth
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