Clarets Diary February 2003

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Monday 17 February - Watford await winners

If the Clarets can squeeze past Fulham in their Turf Moor replay, they will meet Watford at Vicarage Road in the quarter finals of the FA Cup. The four quarter final games will be played on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 March. Two matches will be shown live on the BBC and two will be screened live on Sky Sports. A poll on SkySports.com allows site users to vote for the likely winners in the final: the Clarets currently rate higher than Fulham, Sheffield United, Watford and Wolves.
Whilst it is disappointing that Burnley could again be playing away from home, this still looks like a possible route through to the semi finals of the competition and surely presents the Clarets with a chance of real glory in the world's favourite domestic cup.

Sunday 16 February - Replay date

Following the Clarets successful trip to London, the Fifth Round FA Cup replay against Fulham will take place on the evening of Wednesday 26 February. This means that for the second time this season Burnley will need to reschedule their home league game against Preston North End. Originally intended to be played on the 15 February, the game was moved to the 25 February to accommodate the Clarets game at Loftus Road. But the 1-1 draw ensures that Burnley and Preston will need to find another date.

Tuesday 11 February - Jansen for the Turf?

Blackburn Rovers manager Graeme Souness has revealed that Burnley are amongst a clutch of Division One clubs that have expressed an interest in taking Matt Jansen on loan. Jansen, 25, was made available for loan last week after Souness admitted that the striker was unlikely to feature too heavily in the Rovers first team. Jansen has struggled to make a full recovery from an horrendous road accident last summer - an accident that not only threatened his career, but also his life. With Blackburn prohibited from loaning any players to fellow Premiership clubs, they will seek a suitable partner from Division One to help aid Jansen's complete recovery. But will he be appearing at Turf Moor soon?

Further to our comments regarding Marlon Beresford's absence from the side on Saturday, we would like to join all Burnley fans in offering our congratulations to Marlon whose wife gave birth to a baby daughter on Sunday.

Saturday 8 February - Defence is strengthened

The Clarets have this week moved to strengthen their defence by persuading two of their players to sign longer term contracts. Central defender Driss Diallo and goalkeeper Marlon Beresford have both committed themselves to Burnley until the end of the current season. It's unsure just how committed Beresford really is though. He has refused to sign a longer term offer that has been on the table since the early part of the season, and he has been left out of today's game at Coventry City. Radio Lancashire report that Beresford is not injured.

Sunday 2 February - Shandran to Yorkshire

Reserve team player Anthony Shandran has joined York City in a one month loan deal.