Best Of Enemies

ARGYLE manager Carl Fletcher will stand toe-to-toe with best mate Eddie Howe when the Pilgrims take on Burnley in the second round of the Capital One Cup.

Carl and Eddie, now the Burnley manager, will take their places in opposite dugouts for the first time when the two sides meet in the week commencing Monday, August 27.

The two young gaffers cut their footballing teeth during their playing days at AFC Bournemouth, and even lived together for a period of time.

Although still close friends, Fletch does not expect to get any inside information off his old mucka prior to the game.

Carl said: "It will be an interesting tie for me because I know Eddie very well.

"I'll have a little chat with him before the game but I don't think he'll tell me anything because he's a sneaky so and so!

"I speak to him very regularly anyway so it'll be a good challenge for us and we'll look forward to it.

"It's a very tough draw, especially with it being an away tie.

"But it will be a good opportunity for us to go and test ourselves against a Championship side."

The tie does present some logistical issues for the travelling Pilgrims, though, with the match scheduled to come after consecutive away games with Dagenham & Redbridge and Oxford United.

"With the two away games before, I think we might as well just live in a hotel," joked Fletch.

"But in all seriousness, we know what it's like being down here so we'll have to make sure we change training accordingly because lots of travelling does take it out of you.

"But it'll be a good game and we're looking forward to it."

Argyle's record with Burnley over the years has, up until now, been less than favourable.

In 51 meetings with the Clarets, the Pilgrims have won just 15 times, drawing 16 and losing 20.

Our last trip to Lancashire, for a Coca-Cola Championship game early in the 2008-09 season, resulted in a 0-0 draw.

But our last meeting in the League Cup, in October 1973, saw Argyle run out victorious with Neil Hague adding to an own-goal to steal a 2-1 win.

Ticket details, as well as specific match information, will be available in the next few days.