Comment | Read Comments (15)

DEFIANT Burnley manager Owen Coyle has urged his players to "stand up and be counted" in their fight to the finish.

The Clarets dropped further out of the play-off picture following back-to-back defeats to Wolves and Preston.

Although a run of just three wins from 11 games has pushed them down from seventh to eleventh in the Championship table, the indifferent form of fellow challengers means the four-point gap is not insurmountable.

Out of the six teams all capable of finishing in sixth place, only Crystal Palace have managed to sustain a consistent run as they go into Saturday's home game against Blackpool unbeaten in six.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have lost only once in that time to stay just a point adrift, but Plymouth Argyle recently suffered back-to-back defeats, while Charlton lost three on the spin before last weekend's draw with West Bromwich Albion.

"With the nature of the Championship, you couldn't go and put a football coupon on it because the results fluctuate very quickly, so we'll just concentrate on ourselves and try to accumulate as many points as we can and see where it takes us," said Coyle.

"You get people saying that team's got a great run-in', but I would loathe to say one team had a better run-in than another because whether you're playing 23rd or 24th in the league, or first or second, every game is ultra competitive."

While Burnley have home games against Barnsley, Sheffield United and Cardiff City, there are long journeys to Norwich City, Southampton and Crystal Palace for the remaining three away matches.

Sixth-placed Plymouth face Charlton in two weeks and Wolves on the final day of the season.

Ipswich, who are seventh on goal difference, must play Wolves and Hull in two of their last three outings.

Crystal Palace, who have propelled themselves into the frame courtesy of that six-game unbeaten run, have yet to meet Stoke, Watford, Hull and the Clarets on the last day.

Wolves have seven games remaining, the next four of which are against Charlton, Bristol City, West Brom and Ipswich, while Charlton's next two games are at home to Wolves and away to Plymouth.

"We have to stand up and be counted and show what we're capable of," urged Coyle, who will be without Clarke Carlisle for upcoming games against Barnsley, Norwich City and Sheffield United after deciding not to appeal the central defender's stoppage time red card at Preston North End.

"I think there's plenty of steel (within the squad).

"I think the players have got an awful lot in their locker, but we need to show it on a consistent basis."

10:00am Wednesday 26th March 2008

Print

Email this

Comment

Add your comment

Name:
Email: *
Location:
**
	e.g. 123-123
Comment: Please note: All HTML tags will be ignored. Format Text:
By posting a comment, I confirm that I have read and agree to the terms of use. Comments are not moderated but we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention and we may delete inappropriate postings. Please treat other people with respect. You must not post anything that is abusive, indecent, unlawful or defamatory. Remember, you are personally liable for what you post on this site. If you wish to complain about a comment, contact us here.
* Your email address will not be displayed ** To avoid register now or login