Shackell: The pressure is all on Rovers (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Shackell: The pressure is all on Rovers

10:30am Saturday 16th March 2013 in Sport By Chris Flanagan, Sports reporter

BURNLEY skipper Jason Shackell believes all of the pressure will be on Blackburn Rovers in tomorrow’s derby at Ewood Park – as the Clarets bid to finally end 34 years of hurt against their East Lancashire rivals.

Boss Sean Dyche has spoken to his players about the chance to make history as the first Burnley side to beat Blackburn since 1979.

And Shackell thinks Blackburn will face intense pressure from a demanding home crowd desperate to preserve their long unbeaten record in the derby – at a time when there is discontent at Ewood over a poor season.

Burnley have also been on a poor run recently, winning only one of their last nine games, but the centre back insists the Clarets have nothing to lose.

“They haven’t lost against us in a long time and they’re playing at home in front of very expectant fans,” Shackell said.

“They’ve spent a lot of money so they’re expected to be up there. There is a lot of pressure on them.

“For us we will be released and we can go there and just give it 100 per cent.

“It’s a great opportunity for us. The pressure is off us.

“We’re going there with nothing to lose.”

Shackell featured in his first East Lancashire derby earlier in the season when Sam Vokes’ late equaliser earnedBurnley a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor, although the Clarets felt they did enough to win the game.

Burnley’s last four visits to Ewood Park have all ended in defeat but the skipper says he will not settle for a draw tomorrow, with the Clarets set to be cheered on by 4,000 travelling fans.

“There’s no two ways about it, we’ll be going for a win,” he said.

“I want all three points. I don’t think it would be right to say we’re going there for a draw. If we play how we know we can play, we’re more than capable of going there for the win.

“We played really well when they came to us, especially in the first half, and we could have won if it wasn’t for their keeper Paul Robinson, who pulled off three or four really good saves.

“We’re going to Ewood Park confident and there’s no reason why we shouldn’t. They’ve had some indifferent form like ourselves and it’s wide open.

“Whoever works hard and does the basics will come out with all three points.

“It’s not about scoring bags of goals, we just need one to win a game. As long as we get that one and keep a clean sheet we’ll be fine.”

Burnley will wear black armbands tomorrow following the death of former keeper Harry Thomson, who played 117 games for the club between 1959 and 1969.