Sunday, May 24, 2009

Burnley v Sheff Utd

Championship play-off final
Venue: Wembley Stadium Date: Monday, 25 May Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage: Commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Sheffield (coverage starts 1330 BST) and BBC Sport website (UK only); live text commentary on BBC Sport website & mobiles


Burnley manager Owen Coyle and Sheffield United boss Kevin Blackwell
Owen Coyle and Kevin Blackwell are battling for a Premier League place

Burnley boss Owen Coyle believes his players have every reason to drive for success against Sheffield United in Monday's Championship play-off final.

The Clarets are looking for a triumphant return to the top flight for the first time in 33 years.

"We have got an opportunity to go into the Premier League, and play in the best league in the world, with the best players in the world," Coyle said.

"If that doesn't motivate the players I don't know what will."

Burnley will be at full strength at Wembley for their 61st and final game of the season, with their players having spent a few days preparing in Portugal.

PAUL FLETCHER BLOG
BBC Sport's Paul Fletcher

The success at Turf Moor this season is all the more remarkable considering it has been built on a shoestring budget and with one of the smallest squads in the Championship.

Coyle, who arrived in November 2007 from St Johnstone, has used only 23 players throughout the whole campaign.

"We have shown that you can build a team and put a side out without having the finances that some of the bigger clubs have," he added.

"I need the players to go and give the same performances that they have done for the rest of the season."

United manager Kevin Blackwell by contrast has a few injury concerns with doubts over Darius Henderson (Achilles), Jamie Ward (hamstring) and John-Joe O'Toole (ankle).

All three players will have fitness tests on Monday morning, while Greg Halford has already been passed fit.

Despite his side finishing third in the Championship this season, four points ahead of fifth-placed Burnley, Blackwell feels the opposition are favourites.

"I think Burnley have got more experience, they've done well in the big games this season and they've beaten us twice. In my mind that makes them favourites," he said.

The 50-year-old was coach under Neil Warnock when United lost out to Wolves at the Millennium Stadium in 2003 and three years later he was in charge of Leeds, who were beaten by Watford at the same venue in the Championship play-off final.

Taking those experiences into account, Blackwell has been meticulous in his planning.

"I'm confident that we've prepared the team and there's nothing left to chance," he said.

Wembley final 'tremendous' chance - Coyle

"Right now, everywhere you go everyone wants to remind you about how big the game is, so there's no getting away from it anyway.

"But because I enjoy football so much, it's never a chore to me and I've seen this all before, so it's nothing new and that does help."

Blackwell took over the managerial reins at Bramall Lane from Bryan Robson in February 2008 and cannot wait to step out at Wembley.

"I can't say how exciting it is to go there," he said. "It's great to see Sheffield United playing the biggest game in world football.

"I'm proud and delighted. I can't really describe what it would mean to me. It justifies my decision to come back and the way I've changed things around.

"I've taken some flak along the way, but I think I've been totally vindicated."

BIG-MATCH FACTS

Burnley and Sheffield United contest a £60million winner-takes-all showdown for a place in the Premier League, in the richest club game in world football.

This is Burnley's 61st match of the season. Manchester United are the only English league club to have played more - the Champions League final will be their 66th. The play-off final will be Sheffield United's 56th game.

This highly-successful campaign has seen Burnley narrowly miss out on a place in Wembley's Carling Cup final and reach the last 16 of the FA Cup. They knocked out Fulham, Chelsea, Arsenal, and West Brom on their cup runs and beat Tottenham at White Hart Lane in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final.

The Clarets came within two minutes of reaching Wembley through the Carling Cup, now they will be gracing the stadium after defeating Reading 3-0 on aggregate in the play-off semi-finals. They will become the 27th different club to be involved in a play-off final for a place in the top-flight. It was in 1976 when they last played in the highest division.

Sheffield United have sights set on regaining their Premier League status. It is two years since they suffered the last-day drop in highly controversial circumstances. The South Yorkshire club believe an injustice took place over West Ham's use of Carlos Tevez in that relegation fight, and a return to the big time could help placate the situation somewhat.

The Blades beat Preston in the semi-finals; drawing 1-1 at Deepdale, and winning 1-0 at Bramall Lane.

Sheffield United's only defeat in their last 14 league and cup games was 0-1, away to Burnley, on 20 April. Victory here would be the Blades' 50th against Burnley in competitive matches.

37-year-old defender Graham Alexander has played in every one of Burnley's 60 matches this season, and scored 11 goals. Alexander has been involved in six previous play-off campaigns with three other clubs, and he is yet to win promotion through them.


The Referee

Mike Dean (Wirral)

This will be the second Coca Cola Championship play-off final Mike Dean has officiated. He was referee when Watford beat Leeds at the Millennium Stadium, three years ago.

BURNLEY

The Table

Finished in fifth spot with 76 points, two points above Cardiff in seventh place. Their qualification to the play-offs was confirmed on the last day, following an emphatic 4-0 home victory over Bristol City.

Current form

Won nine of the last 14 league and cup matches, including the last three.

Spent all of November and December in the play-off places, but dipped to 10th in early February, before returning and remaining in the top six from early March.

Play-Off history

This is their third experience of the play-offs. In 1991 they failed to negotiate the semi-finals of the old Division Four play-off s, but were more successful in 1994, beating Plymouth in the semis, and Stockport 2-1 in the final to gain promotion to the second tier.

The Manager

Paisley born Owen Coyle, 42, was a member of Bolton's side that beat Reading 4-3 in the Division One play-off final at Wembley in 1995, which took the Trotters up for a one-season stay in the Premier League. Coyle scored Bolton's first goal.

Play-Off fact

In the 13 years since clubs finishing in positions third to sixth at second league level have qualified for the play-offs, the ones finishing in fifth have gone on to gain promotion four times.

Wembley appearances

Have contested two FA Cup finals under the twin towers, and lost them both; 1-0 to Charlton in 1947 and 3-1 to Tottenham in 1962. Also lost the final of the Sherpa Vans Trophy, 2-0 to Wolves in 1988.

But it was a happier time in 1995, with success against Stockport in the Division One play-off final.

SHEFFIELD UNITED

The Table

Finished in third place, three points off an automatic promotion spot. The regular season ended with a goalless draw at Neil Warnock's Crystal Palace when they needed a win and Birmingham to lose at Reading. In the event, the Brummies won 1-2.

Current form

Lost only one of the last 15 in all competitions, winning nine.

They picked up 39 points from their 20 league games in 2009, five more than any other club in the division, and six more than Burnley.

Play-Off history

Never been promoted through the play-offs, although this is their fifth appearance in them. Ipswich and Preston are the only clubs to have failed to win promotion to the Premier League in their first four attempts via the playoffs.

Only qualified for the final in two of their four previous attempts; lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace in the Division One final in 1994, and 0-3 to Wolves at the Millennium Stadium in 2003, when again a place in the Premier League was the prize for the winners.

The Manager

Kevin Blackwell, 50, was appointed manager of Sheffield United in February 2008, succeeding Bryan Robson.

A goalkeeper in his playing days, Blackwell once saved a penalty at Wembley, for Boston United in the 1985 FA Trophy final against Wealdstone.

He's best remembered for guiding Leeds in the Championship play-off final of 2006, and suffering a shock 0-3 defeat to Watford. He was sacked just after the start of the following season.

Play-Off fact

In the 13 years since clubs finishing in positions third to sixth at second league level have qualified for the play-offs, the one finishing third has fared best of all, gaining promotion on five occasions.

Wembley appearances

Like Burnley, they've contested two FA Cup finals at Wembley; winning 1-0 to Cardiff in 1925 and losing 1-0 at Arsenal in 1936. They were also beaten by Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 after extra time in the 1993 FA Cup semi-final under the twin towers.

Only one of their two play-off finals has been at Wembley - the defeat to Crystal Palace in 1997.

HEAD to HEAD

All competitions

This will be their 120th meeting; Sheffield United have won 49 of the previous 119, Burnley 40 and 30 have been drawn.

Burnley did the double over the Blades in the Championship this season; winning 2-3 at Bramall Lane and 1-0 at Turf Moor.

They stand neck and neck in FA Cup meetings at four wins a piece, while their one clash in the League Cup in 1966 was won by Sheffield United.

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