BLACKPOOL'S management duo are bracing themselves for a hostile Turf Moor reception.

Not only are the Seasiders preparing for their first meeting with Burnley for seven years this weekend, both manager Simon Grayson and assistant Tony Parkes had a foot in the camp of the Clarets' fierce rivals Blackburn Rovers.

"They never forgive anyone who works at Blackburn, so myself and Simon - who had a spell there as a player - are going to get a very warm welcome I would imagine," said Parkes, who had more than a 30-year association with Rovers as a player, coach and five-time caretaker manager.

"I think we'll be going there with our tin hats on because they don't forgive you much!

"But I'm looking forward to it. It's another test, against a good team - but we'll be ready for that game ... and hopefully they'll be a bit gentle with us."

Blackpool have had an impressive start to the season, with wins over Leicester City and Hull City, as well as beating Premiership newboys Derby County to reach the Carling Cup third round.

But Parkes believes it is too soon to predict how their season will pan out.

"I think at the moment we haven't played enough games to see how our season is going to go," he said.

"I think you have to play eight or ten games and then you will get a general impression because by then you will have played a lot more teams, a lot of different teams who are in this league.

"You need to play a Watford, and a team nearer the middle, and a team at the bottom, and then that gives you an idea of how you're coping.

"You have a truer reflection on how your season could actually go when you've done that.

"But they've all adapted well and they are looking forward to the games, which is a good thing in the players, and it's certainly true that it's gone well so far."

He added: "I think the Wolves game was certainly a big test for us. I know we got beat, but we could have got beat and not played well and that would have been a bit more concerning.

"We played well against Wolves and we could have beaten Bristol City. We were probably a little fortunate to have got all three points against Hull but in general I think it has been a pleasing start."