Carlisle - Wolves not a problem

Clarets stopper defends selection policy

Last updated: 17th December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Carlisle - Wolves not a problem

Carlisle: Not a problem

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Clarke Carlisle insists Burnley have no problem with Wolves' decision to rest ten of their regulars against Manchester United ahead of this Sunday's battle between the Premier League new boys.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy took the controversial decision to omit 10 of the side that beat Tottenham last weekend for the midweek trip to Old Trafford.

Burnley's players, by contrast, will travel to Molineux on the back of the draining 1-1 draw they played out with Arsenal at Turf Moor on Wednesday night.

McCarthy has been widely criticised for his attitude but Carlisle does not think Wolves will have an unfair advantage this weekend.

The 30-year-old said: "It happens often, maybe one team will have a midweek game and another team will only play Saturday to Saturday. It is immaterial to us.

"It's each manager to their own. Every manager has their own thoughts and opinions on how a team or squad should be worked and who am I to judge?"

Wednesday's spirited performance in a pulsating affair maintained Burnley's impressive home record.

Confidence boost

Owen Coyle's men have collected 18 of their 19 points this season at Turf Moor.

Burnley had looked in trouble after Cesc Fabregas opened the scoring with seven minutes gone and Andrey Arshavin then hit the post, but the home side weathered the storm and levelled through a Graham Alexander penalty.

Carlisle said: "It is a fantastic confidence builder and fully justifies what we are doing week in, week out.

"If we can maintain that belief we can take the game to Wolves and go from there."

Carlisle put the performance down to a strong team spirit and a determination not to let Arsenal settle.

The former Watford player said: "They have world-class players but no matter how world-class a player is, he doesn't want to play with someone right up tight behind him, kicking at his ankles.

"The gaffer has coached us all week about getting close to players and not giving them any space to play.

"Both teams played quite a similar way, attacking going forward at pace and it made for almost a five-a-side style of game.

"It was almost you attack, we attack, which was very hectic as a defender.

"I believe we have the quality to take advantage of those situations and I thought we fully merited a point."