Carlisle believes managerial uncertainty could hit Clarets (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Carlisle believes managerial uncertainty could hit Clarets

10:00am Saturday 20th October 2012 in Sport By Suzanne Geldard, Burnley FC reporter

CLARKE Carlisle fears Burnley’s uncertain future will play into Blackpool’s hands on derby day today.

The Clarets go into the 118th meeting with their Lancashire rivals without a manager, after Eddie Howe completed his return to Bournemouth last Friday.

Over the last seven days Turf Moor chiefs have met with a wide range of candidates, but do not expect to appoint until next week.

Terry Pashley takes charge in the meantime, with Carlisle confident he can rally the troops to prepare and focus on today’s televised tie.

For the young players that Howe brought in and progressed through the youth system during his 21-month tenure, this could prove to be a difficult period.

But Carlisle warned this can be a tricky time for any professional footballer, regardless of experience.

“It’s tough because you’re back to square one again no matter how sure you were of your place in the beginning,” he said. “You have to start all over again.

“A new manager coming in might have a different ethos and different playing style,” said the former Burnley and Blackpool defender, whose reaction to Howe’s departure mirrored most.

“It was very much a bolt out of the blue,” he added. “From what I was aware, Eddie Howe’s position was that he was building for the future.

“He had been tasked with dissembling the squad and rebuilding it in a certain way and I thought he was going about it in an admirable way.

“They might not have been setting the Championship alight but they were definitely well placed for success.

“If anyone is going to judge him on anything then bringing in Charlie Austin is a very good place to start. He's scoring goals for fun.

“But when you see his departure is down to personal circumstances you can’t foresee that or see that from the outside.

“I hope there’s no animosity towards Eddie Howe because I know how important it can be when it’s such a strain on your family, wherever they are. When there’s a situation at home family should come first.

“All we want and hope now for Burnley is that the right appointment is made and it’s not too great a disruption.”

Of the players Howe leaves behind, Carlisle added: “It is especially uncomfortable if you’re a player the previous manager brought in because you feel like you were his signing and he has abandoned you.

“Someone like Charlie won’t have a problem because he is doing his job and scoring goals.

“But a creative midfielder or ball playing defender, for example, won’t know where they are going to lie in the new manager’s playing style. “It’s back to the drawing board, trying to impress him and earn your place in the team.”

But Carlisle, who began his journey in the professional game at Bloomfield Road, explains that for those struggling to work their way into the plans of the previous boss, it can be a new start.

“It can really be a shot in the arm to those guys out of favour,” said the 33-year-old, who is now with League Two side York City after spells at Preston North End and Northampton Town last season.

“When a new manager comes in players become the best footballers you’ve ever seen. They are coming in early and doing bits after training.

“Then when the manager selects his first team, you see old habits creep back in. It’s the consistent trainers who rise to the top.”

Carlisle is not anticipating problems in anyone rising to the occasion today, as the post Howe era kicks off against the Seasiders, but believes Blackpool could still have the edge.

“The Lancashire derbies are always interesting,” he said.

“From my own recollections over the years the Burnley game at Bloomfield Road kick-started our push for the play-offs.

“Christian (Kalvenes) scored that fantastic and rare goal.

“It’s going to be a great atmosphere I would expect, and the rivalry will be as intense as ever.

“But there’s the added twist to it with the uncertainty at the helm.

“I imagine it came as a shock to a lot of the lads last week. There’s uncertainty among the ranks.

“Who's going to be appointed and what’s the state of play? That might just be to Blackpool’s advantage.”