A Good FA Cup Run Can Save Burnley’s Season | OneFootball

There’s not been much to write home about as a Burnley fan so far this season.

(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Wednesday’s dramatic comeback against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, sealed by a Jefferson Lerma own goal (left), was the first league win for Burnley in 108 days.

It changes absolutely nothing in terms of Burnley’s season – it’s a win that comes too late in the season to prevent The Clarets playing their football in the Championship next season – unless we see what would be the greatest escape of all time.

Queue the FA Cup!

However, attention now turns to the FA Cup for Burnley as they welcome League One side Mansfield Town to Turf Moor – and it’s a nice break from the harsh realities of life in the Premier League.

A cup run could give Clarets fans something poitive to look back on when it comes to the 2025/26 season – because as it stands the entire season will be swept under the carpet and completely forgetten about by fans.

It’s a game Scott Parker’s men should win on paper, but let’s not beat around the bush. Burnley fans know more than most that football isn’t played on paper.

Even to this day a mention of the words ‘Lincoln City’ will send a shudder down the spine of most Clarets supporters.

All the same, lower league opposition at home is a favorable draw. If Burnley manage to get through then they’re just two games away from Wembley.

No Distractions

We had this excitement bubble up slightly last year – albeit when we were going for promotion from the Championship so had bigger fish to fry, and that was reflected in Parker’s team selection away at Preston North End when the Clarets got to the fifth round – only for the weakened Burnley side to crumble under the pressure of a Lancashire derby.

This time, Burnley have nothing to focus on in the league anymore with relegation all but confirmed, and Parker should have learned his lesson from last year not to tinker too much.

He has however confirmed that a few of the fringe players will be getting minutes. You can probably expect starts for the likes of James Ward-Prowse and Ashley Barnes – who scored two goals in the previous round against Millwall.

It’s not going to be easy by any stretch of the imagination.

Mansfield have sold out the away end and their fans will likely be well up for this game and create a brilliant atmosphere.

But Burnley should have enough quality and experience on the pitch to keep their cool and progress into the fifth round.

And in so doing, salvage a little something from a poor season.