Parker Urges Burnley to Focus Ahead of West Ham Clash
Scott Parker, the Burnley head coach, emphasized the need for his team to focus ahead of their upcoming match against West Ham on Saturday. Parker’s comments come in the wake of a disappointing 3-0 loss to Sunderland earlier this week. Despite this setback, he reassured that the squad is in good spirits and ready to tackle the challenge.
Importance of Mentality
In his media briefing, Parker reflected on the importance of mindset during tough times. He stated, “In these testing times, you need to have a clear focus.” He encouraged his players to narrow their approach and concentrate on essential elements needed for success.
Recent Performance and Momentum
While addressing the potential impact of a victory against West Ham, Parker was cautious. He noted that Burnley has previously experienced momentum swings but has occasionally faltered. “We’ve been in this position at times this year where you feel that there’s that momentum, then we’ve let ourselves down,” he commented.
- West Ham has displayed strong form, winning their last three matches in various competitions.
- Burnley has not secured a league victory since mid-October.
Leadership and Resilience
Parker highlighted the leadership provided by senior players, including Kyle Walker and goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka. Their experience is vital for guiding the team through their current challenges. Parker also reiterated the importance of resilience, a quality that has been tested throughout the season.
Tactics and Game Plan
Looking ahead to the clash, Parker expressed his desire to deploy aggressive tactics while leveraging the strengths of his current player roster. “We want to be an aggressive team,” he stated, emphasizing the need to adapt strategies based on the opponent’s personnel.
Squad Health Update
Parker confirmed that there are no new injury concerns for the upcoming fixture. However, the long-term injured players will remain unavailable, including James Ward-Prowse, who cannot participate this weekend.
The match against West Ham is set to take place at Turf Moor on Saturday, February 7th, with a kick-off planned for 3 PM (UK time). Burnley will be looking to regain their momentum and secure much-needed points in their campaign.
