Lancashire

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Burnley's winless start to the season puts them bottom of the Championship but it's not what was expected.

The side are benefitting from parachute payments and have achieved four promotions to the top flight since 2014.

So is new boss Nicky Hayen to blame? Fan Natalie Bromley thinks the Belgian has "been handed the most impossible of tasks" after a late appointment and a "disastrous" summer transfer window.

However, Hayen is not off the hook either.

"He's not helping himself either. We've got very muddled team selection, players playing out of position, players who clearly are not performing well and not working in certain structures still being picked again the game after," Bromley said.

"He made six changes on Saturday talking about fitness and squad rotation - we are in September. It's game, what, five?

"He's very famous for high press, we haven't seen any of that yet. The players look like they don't know what they are doing, the shape and the tactics look disjointed and there is no energy."

Listen to the full episode of the Monday Night Club below or on BBC Sounds here.

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Preston striker Callum Lang believes his double against Blackburn has helped North End turn the corner after their "massive" Lancashire derby win.

Lang's two goals set the Championship strugglers up to secure a much-needed first league win of the campaign as he finally opened his account for Preston on his 12th appearance for the club.

"As a forward player I need to add goals," the 27-year-old told BBC Radio Lancashire. "That's the most important thing. The better I do as a player, the better we do as a team.

"You've got to be selfish sometimes as a forward. Just getting in the right areas - I think all of us have been working on that. We showed it against Bristol City as well. Just really trying to play on the front foot and be a lot more positive.

"I think over the last two games we've really showed that and created a lot more chances for it. We were exciting and aggressive and look a lot of a better team for it."

Lang, who moved to Deepdale from Portsmouth seven months ago, says a weight has been lifted as they prepare to face Watford tomorrow night.

"It was really a massive result for us," he said. "Confidence-wise, we've had a tough start. We knew coming into the game this could be the turnaround.

"It's a real boost for the team, all the fans and the staff and we really want to push on now."

Watford are hoping to end a run of just one point from their past three Championship games when they meet Preston North End on Tuesday (19:45 BST).

By contrast, Preston collected their first three points of the campaign and ended a four-game losing streak against Blackburn Rovers at the weekend.

• Watford have won just one of their past eight Championship games against Preston (D5 L2), a 5-1 away victory in December 2023.

• Preston are unbeaten in four league visits to Watford (W1 D3), this after losing three of their previous four prior (D1).

• Watford have only lost one of their past nine midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) home games in the Championship (W5 D3), a 2-0 defeat by Ipswich in February last season.

• Preston could lose each of their first three away games of a league season for the first time since 2018-19 (first five).

• Preston's Paul Heckingbottom is unbeaten in five league meetings with Watford (W3 D2) since a 1-0 defeat while in charge of Sheffield United in August 2022.

It is 26 years since these two sides last faced each other in the league during which time Wrexham have dropped to non-league football before their rise back up the divisions.

Burnley are hoping to record a first win of the campaign, having managed only two points from their opening five games since relegation from the Premier League at the end of last season.

• Wrexham and Burnley last faced in the 1999-00 third tier season, with the Clarets completing a league double over the Welsh side.

• Burnley have won nine of their past 10 league matches against Welsh clubs (D1) since a 1-0 Premier League defeat by Swansea in February 2018.

• Last season, Wrexham only won one of their six Championship games against sides relegated from the Premier League the season before (D3 L2), beating Ipswich 5-3 at home in February.

• Burnley have lost each of their past seven away league games, last losing more in a row in March 2010 (10).

• Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has managed two previous league games against Burnley and lost them both, first with Hull in October 2006 (0-2) and then with Charlton in January 2009 (1-2).

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Former Preston North End goalkeeper Alan Kelly has praised striker Callum Lang's "striker's instinct" to score the first of his two goals against Blackburn Rovers.

Lang scored the opener in just the ninth minute before doubling the lead in the 27th minute.

"He's not thinking what could have been, he's thinking I'm going to be there just in case," Kelly said.

"It is there, he taps the ball in. The relief around the ground from Preston fans that one, we are 1-0 up and two, we've actually got on the end of something and got the ball in the back of the net.

"What a great start from Preston and giving themselves that foot in the door. But let's be under no illusions, Blackburn did come at them."

Listen to the full post-match reaction below or on BBC Sounds here.

Marc Webber
Final Score reporter

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In a move which would make magician David Copperfield green with envy, Burnley's rabbit-out-of-the-hat signing of Jamie Vardy could be the one thing that saves the Clarets' season.

As fans made for the Turf Moor exit seconds after Bristol City's winning goal was being picked out of the net, they were not only despondent but also fearful.

Quite a few were considering a season where they would not move out of the relegation zone they currently find themselves in. Manager Nicky Hayen's appeal for patience as new signings bed in was not resonating.

Despite the manager saying they were looking to get some free agents in, no fan would have considered that could mean Vardy on a one-year deal.

He is a player who will more than understand the passion Burnley fans have for their club. He will live that on the pitch. He will be a leader and mentor, irrespective of what he might personally deliver in terms of goals or performances.

Former Leicester City and England striker Vardy, has found his new project. He feels he has something to prove. Burnley definitely have something to prove.

It seems like the perfect match.

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Burnley made a surprise move for 39-year-old striker Jamie Vardy on a deal until the end of the season.

The former Leicester City and England forward was a free agent after leaving Italian side Cremonese at the end of last season.

But, what do Burnley fans make of the signing and can Vardy help fire them to an immediate return to the Premier League?

We asked for Clarets supporters to give us their views and here is a selection of what they have had to say:

Tom: I think it's a good bit of business. He is a known finisher and can help us get some goals. Better than what we already have and he can also help be a leader and adds valuable experience to the side.

Steve: We don't currently have a single striker at the club who knows how to score a goal, so an ancient Vardy can only be an improvement.

Philip: He loved scoring at Turf Moor for Leicester so hopefully he can get our season up and running. Everything feels a bit late at Burnley thus far but Jamie Vardy could be a turning point. Good signing for both parties.

Bob: What a ridiculous thing to do! Not taking anything away from his past achievements but that was then and this is now. We've already got Kyle Walker, do we need another one at the end of their career?

Alex: Yes he's getting on, but his experience and goalscorer's instinct will be a great asset.

John: In the situation we are now in, I am happy we have signed Vardy. He may score some goals but we should never have got ourselves into this mess. If we knew we were letting Zian Flemming go, we should have signed a new striker weeks ago.

Derek: Strikes of desperation! Jamie Vardy and Ashley Barnes up front would be a great combo 10 years ago. I fear we will be following Leicester this season!

Martin: This might be a masterstroke. Yes, he's getting on now, but used wisely could prove to be the goalscorer we need.