Source: Team_Talk
Carlisle's Countdown conundrum
As the Clarets search for the answer to their Premier League survival conundrum, defender Carlisle is hoping to solve some more of his own.[LNB]Carlisle has a reputation as one of the cleverest players in the professional game and will put his brainpower to the test as he appears on intellectual TV quiz Countdown next week.[LNB]Footballers are not historically known for their mental agility but Carlisle claims that is an unfair stereotype.[LNB]The 30-year-old said: "They are sweeping generalisations. People say there is no intelligence in football but that couldn't be further from the truth.[LNB]"It is just like any working environment, you have a spectrum of intellect and ability. I don't think I am an exception to any of them."[LNB]Carlisle, who joined Burnley from Watford in 2007, is fulfilling a long-held dream by featuring on Countdown, the famous words and numbers game.[LNB]He failed in an audition for the show in a previous year but this time won through.[LNB]"I've been a fan since I was about seven," said Carlisle, who quickly identified the anagrams 'Kebab Boiler' and 'Deviant Dung' as team-mates Robbie Blake and David Nugent when challenged by a radio journalist.[LNB]"I've always been interested in Mensa and IQ tests. I love numbers and Scrabble is a big favourite of mine.[LNB]"I've just always been interested in that type of thing."[LNB]Carlisle's most immediate task, however, is tackling Aston Villa as the Clarets return to Premier League action after a short break on Sunday.[LNB]Burnley are anxious for points having slipped to 19th in the table but their away form does not bode well for a trip to Villa Park.[LNB]The East Lancashire outfit have collected just one point on their travels and new manager Brian Laws has made the issue one of his top priorities.[LNB]Carlisle added: "The manager has come in and pinpointed that. It was glaringly obvious and we have been working hard in training.[LNB]"We have tried to win games away from home and there might have been a naivety within the side.[LNB]"A lot of the squad also have very little Premier League experience.[LNB]"It has been a baptism of fire but they are not excuses. They are just things we need to address."[LNB][LNB]
