It’s Burnley, and what we’d all give for a repeat of last season’s result at Turf Moor.
We were 4-0 winners here of course in May on a day when Rodrigo scored two in two minutes to wrap up what was a comfortable win in the end.
If you remember, the difference that day was that we took our chances and Burnley didn’t. We were at our clinical and ruthless best and deserved the win and the winning margin.
I know plenty of supporters who are going over to Burnley fully expecting the same again. I mean, where better to go when you’re looking for first win of the season than a team who haven’t picked up a single point yet?
Don’t be fooled by that. Or by last season’s result. This lot are a hard side to play against. They haven’t been in the Premier League since 2016 because they are a soft touch. Far from it. They do have a 4-0 home defeat in them, but they also have the ability to beat you up, grind you down, and get results themselves. That’s why survive year after year.
They are a throwback in playing style in that they are one of the few, probably the only, who play in a traditional 4-4-2. They are strong they are direct and if you don’t compete with them you’re done. If we’re being honest, it’s a horrible place to go as a player. The dressing rooms haven’t changed in years and are small and cramped, and the heating will probably be cranked up tomorrow if it’s a warm day.
The one big benefit Leeds have had at Burnley over the years has been the fans. Simon Grayson always tells the story about going in behind at half-time and not being able to talk to the lads because of the noise coming from the Leeds fans above in the stand. No words needed to be said. And we won.
From a team point of view, I wonder if Marcelo will name the same side which drew with Everton last weekend. Diego Llorente played 45 minutes in midweek but whether he gives him a little more time before throwing him back into the Premier League remains to be seen.
