Carlisle's Countdown conundrum

Published Feb. 19, 2010 8:10 a.m. ET

foxsports

As the Clarets search for the answer to their Premier League survival conundrum, defender Carlisle is hoping to solve some more of his own. Carlisle has a reputation as one of the cleverest players in the professional game and will put his brainpower to the test as he appears on intellectual TV quiz Countdown next week. Footballers are not historically known for their mental agility but Carlisle claims that is an unfair stereotype. The 30-year-old said: "They are sweeping generalisations. People say there is no intelligence in football but that couldn't be further from the truth. "It is just like any working environment, you have a spectrum of intellect and ability. I don't think I am an exception to any of them." Carlisle, who joined Burnley from Watford in 2007, is fulfilling a long-held dream by featuring on Countdown, the famous words and numbers game. He failed in an audition for the show in a previous year but this time won through. "I've been a fan since I was about seven," said Carlisle, who quickly identified the anagrams 'Kebab Boiler' and 'Deviant Dung' as team-mates Robbie Blake and David Nugent when challenged by a radio journalist. "I've always been interested in Mensa and IQ tests. I love numbers and Scrabble is a big favourite of mine. "I've just always been interested in that type of thing." Carlisle's most immediate task, however, is tackling Aston Villa as the Clarets return to Premier League action after a short break on Sunday. Burnley are anxious for points having slipped to 19th in the table but their away form does not bode well for a trip to Villa Park. The East Lancashire outfit have collected just one point on their travels and new manager Brian Laws has made the issue one of his top priorities. Carlisle added: "The manager has come in and pinpointed that. It was glaringly obvious and we have been working hard in training. "We have tried to win games away from home and there might have been a naivety within the side. "A lot of the squad also have very little Premier League experience. "It has been a baptism of fire but they are not excuses. They are just things we need to address."