The pressure on Burnley head coach Nicky Hayen could reach the point of no return this weekend when they travel to Lincoln City in search of just their second win of the season.
After suffering relegation from the Premier League last season, the Clarets began the campaign as one of the favourites to secure promotion from the Championship. A failed approach for Wales boss say Belgian Hayan appointed, but his tenure at Turf Moor is looking increasingly doomed.
Sitting in the bottom three, a solitary 4-0 win over Watford remains their only success so far. They surrendered a goal lead to lose 2-1 to Wolverhampton Wanderers a week ago, but tomorrow’s trip to Lincoln already has all the makings of a season-defining tie.
Hayan One Defeat From The Sack?
Burnley were two divisions above tomorrow’s opponents last season and many would have viewed this as an easy away win before a ball was kicked in August. However, it is the Imps who sit higher in the division, four points above the Lancashire-based outfit.
It’s approaching 10 years since Lincoln performed one of the biggest FA Cup upsets of all time when they secured a 1-0 win at Turf Moor whilst playing in the National League. Tomorrow, they will arguably be the slight favourites as they head into the game as equals.
Despite that, Hayan knows that anything but three points is likely to cost him his job, especially as the Imps are yet to pick up a victory at home this season. There is a degree of sympathy though, with Jacob Bruun Larsen and Jamie Vardy both added to the ever-growing injury list. That will count for little if they fall to a sixth defeat in 12.
“I Can See Them Crumbling”
If Burnley can take any optimism into the game, it’s that their only win this season has come on the road. However, Championship Lowdown host Tom Woods believes that they will find life tough at the ProAmpac Stadium. Speaking on the latest episode, he predicted more misery for the former Genk manager:
“This is tough to call because Lincoln have been poor at home. Now, the performances haven’t been as bad and 6-0 to West Ham, they’re down to nine men after 20 minutes. I’m happy to write that one off. Whereas Burnley haven’t fared well anywhere.
“I can see them crumbling a bit with the long throws and free kicks that are going to come in. I think if Lincoln were going to get up for their first home win, I can see it being in a game like this.
“I’ve gone for a 2-1 win for Lincoln in what will be a bit of a landmark result for both teams. If Lincoln can’t get over their home form then Burnley have the quality to nick something here, but I can see a fast start from Lincoln.
