Source: Telegraph
urnley's mountainous task bigger than Everest says Owen Coyle
But the Burnley manager acknowledges his players, who trail Tottenham 4-1 from the first leg, have more chance of scaling Mount Everest than overturning the deficit in the deciding leg of their Carling Cup semi-final at Turf Moor on Wednesday. [LNB]Coyle was part of the Bolton Wanderers side who found themselves 2-0 behind against Reading in the opening 15 minutes of the 1995 play-off final at Wembley. The Scot sparked an amazing fightback after reducing the deficit, Bolton eventually running out 4-3 winners. [LNB]Yet he believes the chances of his Championship side denying Harry Redknapp, who steered Portsmouth to FA Cup success last season, a second appearance at the new Wembley in the space of nine months are remote. [LNB]"We're a Championship club facing a three-goal deficit against a Premier League team. It's not even Everest. It's probably beyond that," said Coyle. [LNB]"If Tottenham were facing a three-goal deficit against Burnley then people would still expect them to turn it round if it was at White Hart Lane. That shows you the task we are up against."[LNB]Burnley's cause is not helped by the fact that they have lost their last four league games yet more than 20,000 will pack into Turf Moor hoping for a Tottenham capitulation. [LNB]The Lancashire club led 1-0 at White Hart Lane two weeks ago before conceding four times in 21 second-half minutes. [LNB]Coyle wants his side to show some pride and make it as difficult as possible for Tottenham. "We've beaten Chelsea and Arsenal so there's no doubt that we've shown on the big occasions that we can win big games," added Coyle. [LNB]"Tottenham will come here and give us respect because they saw what we did in the first 45 minutes at White Hart Lane. But Harry will make sure they are switched on. He'll want to get to another cup final. [LNB]"I'd like to give the fans something to shout about. We know finances are difficult but they have been so loyal. [LNB]"I want them to leave the ground with a smile on their faces knowing that the players have given everything to get a result."[LNB]
