· Brian Judson's Preview
· Last Year's Third Round Game - Tranmere 0 Spurs 4
Burnley have conceded no less than 12 goals in their last three games, each of which they have lost, after a run of 10 games without defeat. One of these was an amazing 6-5 defeat at Grimsby last Tuesday. On Saturday evening they lost 3-1 to local rivals Preston North End, and the week before they lost 3-0 to league leaders, Portsmouth.
Manager Stan Ternent will be scratching his head at his team's sudden loss of form, and no doubt the 22,000 crowd will be baying for victory at Turf Moor on Wednesday night. Burnley currently lie in 14th place in Division One. Papadopoulos is equal leading scorer with 5 goals, along with Robbie Blake and Gareth Taylor. Papadopoulos has scored three of Burnley's four goals in this competition so far, as Burnley beat Blackpool 3-0 and then Huddersfield 1-0 to reach the third round. He was only substitute in last Saturday's game.
A 17 year old Stephen Carr made his debut for Spurs in this competition at Burnley on 22nd September, 1993. This was a two-legged affair, which was a stalemate at Turf Moor, and which was won by Spurs in the second leg by 3 goals to 1, with a certain Teddy Sheringham scoring twice!
Spurs of course reached this stage by beating Cardiff 1-0, with another Sheringham goal. Dean Richards (eye), Jamie Redknapp (calf), and Robbie Keane (shoulder) are all described as doubtful for this match, with Ledley King, Darren Anderton and Stephen Clemence not yet ready to make their comebacks at first team level. This suggests that Anthony Gardner will play on Wednesday night. Maybe Poyet will play a central midfield role, with Etherington returning on the left, and Les Ferdinand up front. As I have said before, I would like to see Jonathan Blondel get a game, but he may have to settle for a place on the bench.
My prediction? I'll go for 3-1 to Spurs.
