Megson expects game to go ahead

24 December 2009 14:22
Megson and his players were left to contemplate Christmas in the bottom three of the Premier League after Monday's match at Wigan was postponed due to severe icy conditions around the DW Stadium that made it unsafe for spectators.[LNB]Despite a perfectly-playable pitch, Boxing Day opponents Burnley are apparently facing similar problems at Turf Moor where they have hired a JCB to help clear away the snow and ice as Britain continues to suffer in the grip of the big freeze.[LNB]Unlike the Latics, Megson feels Burnley have had ample time this week to prepare for the game, despite the unrelenting conditions.[LNB]"There is talk the local council are going to have to pull their finger out and get the surrounding area safe for everybody, which should be a priority anyway," said Megson.[LNB]"I can't see any reason why, in this day and age, if you've got six days to prepare for a game that it doesn't go ahead.[LNB]"I'm sure it will do, and I'm sure everybody in Burnley will want it to go ahead."[LNB]Megson then joked: "There's the odd conspiracy theory going about Burnley have one or two injuries and therefore the hose pipe will be turned on over the pitch.[LNB]"I think that used to happen donkey's years ago, but it doesn't happen now, certainly not in the Premier League."[LNB]Although the festive programme poses its own unique problems with games so tightly packed together, Megson is eager for his players not to miss out again.[LNB]"We want to play Burnley, and Burnley will want to play us, I can guarantee that," insisted Megson.[LNB]"Nobody's given it (a postponement) any thought, but then nor did we with the game against Wigan.[LNB]"When we got together in the morning, there was no inclination the game wouldn't go ahead.[LNB]"We just got a call saying they were having problems outside the ground with the ice, and when we saw it, it was obvious the game couldn't go ahead.[LNB]"It was too dangerous for the spectators to be going through that, and everybody accepted it with good grace."[LNB]The weather has caused further chaos for Megson, despite the club possessing an all-weather surface on which to train.[LNB]"Everybody has been in the same boat this week, unless you're one of the big clubs," assessed Megson.[LNB]"But we don't have an indoor facility and we don't have undersoil heating at the training ground.[LNB]"In fact, I think we're the only club in the Premier League that has an all-weather surface that's no good when the weather is bad.[LNB]"The surface is frozen. Christ knows who put that in. Typical.[LNB]"So we're really thankful to our groundsman who has been able to get us out on the pitch at the Reebok for the last four training sessions.[LNB]"He and his staff have done a sterling job for us. It's increased their workload, but we're really thankful we've good people."[LNB]Megson is forced into one change for the game with the Clarets as midfielder Fabrice Muamba will finally serve his one-game ban.[LNB]Muamba, who has collected five bookings this season, should have sat out the game at Wigan, so Chris Basham will now likely step in to face Owen Coyle's side.[LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk