Burnley vs Portsmouth Match Preview
Burnley may win silverware this season yet. Defender Clarke Carlisle is in contention to win on the English television quiz show Countdown. It’s not TV show silverware manager Brian Laws would prefer, however. He’s simply concerned about avoiding relegation. Burnley are 19th in the table on 23 points and they host league bottom-feeders Portsmouth at Turf Moor on Saturday in a battle of the (potentially) banneds. Burnley defenders Graham Alexander, Steven Caldwell and Stephen Jordan are all on the injury list.
Portsmouth’s destiny may not be written in stone quite yet, but the chinkety-chink of the chiseler’s efforts is loud and clear. If a buyer isn’t found by Friday the club will likely go into financial administration. It’s sad day for a squad that worked hard for results despite continual financial difficulties. Manager Avram Grant has expressed his anger at a situation that saw him brought into the club in November under the auspices of a healthy commitment to improvement. If, by some miracle, administration can be avoided Pompey’s match-up with Burnley will have some purpose. Three points against the Clarets would not be enough for Grant’s men to climb out of the relegation hole they are in, but it would be a lifeline. If, however, administration becomes Pompey’s fate they will be assessed a nine point deduction, and will most certainly waive goodbye to the Premier League.
