Cotterill urges players to take their chances

STEVE Cotterill is calling on his Burnley team to make the most of their opportunities ahead of tomorrow's trip to Reading.

The Clarets kick off October at the home of the Coca-Cola Championship leaders after they ended September unbeaten and in ninth place following Tuesday night's 1-0 win over Cardiff City.

They secured victory with two minutes left thanks to Richard Chaplow's strike, and the manager is hoping they can perform a similar smash and grab raid at the Madejski Stadium.

Cotterill said: "We got a win the other night that didn't look like a win. I thought the game was 0-0 if I'm honest.

"But I said to the boys before the game and at half-time that we have to be aware when the opportunities come along or we won't be able to take them.

"When Robbie Blake stood the lad up on the edge of the area, Richard Chaplow was aware of the opportunity and it was terrific for him, his team-mates and everybody else connected with the the club."

Even though Reading have a 100 per cent home record, taking just one chance tomorrow could prove vital to the Clarets given their defensive record on the road.

In their five away games, the 1-0 defeat at West Ham is the only occasion on which they have conceded a goal so far.

Cotterill said: "If we maintain that on Saturday we will be delighted but it will be a tough game for us because Reading have turned over a few sides down there this season.

"But we haven't come across an easy game yet so we won't be expecting anything different on Saturday.

"We'll respect them like we respected Wigan."

Robbie Blake is the only cause of concern for Cotterill injury-wise after he picked up "a niggle" in the Cardiff game.

The top scorer should be fit but the Burnley boss is hoping he can rely on others for goals, especially Chaplow following his second of the campaign in midweek.

Cotterill added: "He scored five goals last year but he's got two in 10 now so we should be looking at him maybe touching double figures by the end of the season.

"That would be a great return for him but there's a few things we want him to work on.

"One is his heading, which he has a little bit of a joke about himself, and to score more goals.

"But as a 19-year-old he's a terrific young footballer who has a big future in the game.

"He's tough mentally, which is something you don't always find in a young lad but with the mentally tough ones like Wayne Rooney, the stage doesn't bother them."