Turf Beat

IT wasn't just the current crop of Clarets who had a great Cup day last weekend, former midfielder Jamie Hoyland was also celebrating.

Hoyland is now the assistant manager at Rochdale and he was on the touchline for their famous victory over first division Coventry.

And he admitted: "Ideally I would have liked to be drawn against either Burnley or Sheffield United (the club he left for Turf Moor) but I am pleased with the trip to Wolves.

"Without my former clubs or any of the big four from the Premiership, I think it is a great tie for us. It also has that bit of extra edge because the manager (Paul Simpson) used to play for them."

Even a week after the Sky Blues were beaten, Hoyland was still buzzing about a day when everything that could have gone right did.

"After the week we had it was amazing," he said. "We were absolutely rubbish against Southend, worse than that against Lincoln and the manager was booed every time he touched the ball.

"But we went with a game plan, man marked Gary McAllister, the manager picked himself from the start and everyone did what we wanted them to do."

Hoyland enjoyed success in the Cup as a player, ending up in the semi-final at Wembley when the Steel City moved south in 1993.

"That was an amazing run because Burnley should have knocked us out in the third round," he said. "They were 2-0 up with seven minutes to go at Bramall Lane but we got a replay and then gave them a good beating in the replay.

"Then Hartlepool could have beat us before we knocked out Man United and then Rovers on penalties. It was terrible to lose in the semi but just being involved at Wembley was fantastic.

"But it is a completely different experience as a coach. Against Coventry I was quite cool on the touchline but unlike when you are playing, you can't make a direct impact.

"That said there is great satisfaction when all the things you have talked about beforehand come off, as they did for us on Saturday. This was not a scrappy 2-0 win, we could have won by more and to be fair to Gary McAllister he said as much."

Last season Rochdale came close to Worthington Cup glory against Fulham, Burnley's opponents in the fifth round, as he explained: "We were unlucky because we were 2-1 up in the last minute of extra-time and Rufus Brevett equalised and we went out on penalties.

"But they are a great footballing side and it will be tough for Burnley. At least they are not playing them at their real home and I know there will be a massive Burnley following down there.

"It is about time the club had a good Cup run and who knows, maybe we will draw them in the quarter-finals."

Omens look good for Fulham clash

WHENEVER a Cup draw is made, it is inevitable that fans look through the record books for past meetings between the two sides, looking for good omens and reasons their side should prevail.

Of course Clarets fans have been given one straw to clutch as the last time they played Fulham they beat them in a replay to reach the 1962 final against Tottenham Hotspur.

But devoted students of Clarets history have another reason to be cheerful, and not just the excellent recent record of Stan Ternent's side in the capital.

It has been well documented that it is 20 years since the Clarets last reached the fifth round of the cup, and on that occasion they were also hand an away day in London.

Having drawn 0-0 against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park they brought them back to Turf Moor where they beat them 1-0.

And the good omens do not stop there because the only goal of the game came from a striker called Taylor.

So that is simple then, get your money on 0-0 at Loftus Road and 1-0 at Turf in the replay with the goal being scored by Gareth Taylor.

And if that does pay-out, let your winnings ride on drawing Sheffield United in the last eight as 20 years ago Burnley got their Steel city rivals Wednesday.

But hopefully that is where history will stop repeating itself as that is a tie that the Clarets lost after a replay.

One omen that is less promising however is the fact that the draw was made by former Manchester United stars Gary Pallister and Bryan Robson.

The last time they did the honours they sent the Clarets to Cheltenham and no fan needs reminding about what happened there.

Fans hit right key for Di-a-llo

IT has not taken the Clarets fans long to warm to new defender Drissa Diallo, and at Brentford last weekend he could hear his name chanted from the terraces.

To the tune of "Pi-a, pi-a, pi-a-no" the fans sang "Di-a, Di-a, Dia-llo" in recognition of his efforts as the Clarets found their backs against the wall.

And the former Mechelen star must have the hardest head in football having come out better in two clashes in two of his three Burnley games.

Against Ipswich Town it was Pablo Counago who had to leave the field after the pair had gone head to head and then on Saturday Brentford midfielder Kevin O'Connor was stretchered off after a legitimate challenge for the ball by both men.

As he left the pitch Diallo simply dusted himself down and immediately won the next two headers, seconds after treatment.

For those of a certain vintage it brings back memories of the infamous Yosser Hughes, the hard headed star of Alan Bleasdale's "Boys from the Blackstuff".

Ironically his catchphrase was "gizzer job", the precise message from Drissa to Stan Ternent.

Shandy on loan

STRIKER Anthony Shandran has moved to York City on loan.

Clarets boss Stan Ternent is keen on the 21-year-old gaining some first team experience. He has joined City on a one-month deal.

The former youth team star has seen his appearances restricted by injury this season, but has recently returned to action in the reserve team and played in the second half of Wednesday's victory over Sheffield United.

WHEN Stan Ternent was a guest on Sky TV's Goals on Sunday show a couple of weeks ago, he gave the honest opinion that he thought Fulham were in free-fall and in danger of relegation back to the first division.

He will be hoping that those words don't come back to haunt him in a fortnight's time when the two sides clash in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Discount trips for Clarets

BURNLEY fans are reminded that the Claret and Blues Supporters' Club is offering discounts for early bookings for future away games.

These include the trips to Stoke, Walsall, Portsmouth and Norwich and there are pick-up points at a number of local areas.

For full details of departure times and cost ring 01282 702722 or log onto www.burnleyfans.com.

Travel times

BURNLEY Supporters Club travel times for the trip to Fulham (for 3pm ko): Depart Colne bus station 7.30am, Nelson bus station 7.40am, Queensgate 7.50am, Turf Moor 8am, Tim Bobbin 8.10am, Rawtenstall 8.25am.

Prices: non members £19.50, members £17.50, concessions £16.50.

For Stoke City: Depart Colne bus station 11am, Nelson bus station 11.10am, Queensgate 11.20am, Turf Moor 11.30am, Tim Bobbin 11.40am, Rawtenstall 11.55am.

Prices: Non members £11, members £9, concessions £8.

To book ring Fraser Eagle on 01254 231100 (day) or Yvonne Hudson on 696947 (evening).

Young gun

JUDGING by the look of the fourth official on duty at Turf Moor on Monday night, the Lancashire FA Youth Cup game was not just for young players.

He looked so young that I can only assume he had to be up early for school the following day and if he progresses through the ranks he could be reffing in the Premiership by the time he is 25.