Lancashire

Watch & Listen

Latest Updates

  1. Parker on injuries, staying positive and 'huge competitor' Postecogloupublished at 15:20 BST

    Nat Hayward
    BBC Sport journalist

    Media caption,

    Burnley boss Scott Parker has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest at Turf Moor (15:00 BST).

    Here are the key lines from his news conference:

    • Parker said he has no fresh injury concerns heading into the game and "a couple of players are edging closer to coming back". Decisions will be made after training on Friday about their involvement.

    • Lesley Ugochuckwu will be suspended after his red card against Liverpool: "We've got a squad here that we need. It gives someone else an opportunity to come and fill that position. We're going to need the squad for all different scenarios and this weekend someone will take Lesley's place."

    • Parker has been pleased with the development of his side so far since promotion: "We've been presented with some tough, tough fixtures. I've seen a massive improvement from the first game of the season at Spurs where we looked a little bit dazed at times. Every nugget where there has been positivity around the group we need to emphasise and hold onto."

    • On the mood in the squad after late defeats by Manchester United and Liverpool: "Positive. It's been a bit of a sucker punch for us over the last couple of weeks. We've put in two really good performances against very strong opposition and not managed to get a result in the dying minutes of games. We're hugely disappointed with how things could be different for us but overall in this early stage, there are a lot of positives to take from these games."

    • On preparing differently to facing Forest under Ange Postecoglou after Nuno Espirito Santo's sacking: "Ange has been hugely successful at previous clubs and did that again last year. We're up against a huge competitor and someone who has been around it a long time. We're planning for a totally different set-up and outlook on the game."

    • More on Forest: "A different coach brings different ideas, a different philosophy. Ange will be no different in wanting to change certain things. They have a strong squad with strong individuals. New manager or not, we will have to prep like we have done and be the team we can be. If we do, we can cause Forest problems."

    Listen to full commentary from Turf Moor on Saturday on BBC Radio Lancashire 95.5FM with Gary Hunt & David Unsworth.

    Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

  2. 'It's performances, not results, that will matter this season'published at 12:26 BST 16 September

    Natalie Bromley
    Fan writer

    Burnley fan's voice banner
    Hannibal Mejbri of Burnley reacts after conceding a penalty for Burnley against LiverpoolImage source, Getty Images

    A question I have asked myself numerous times over the years I have supported Burnley is: is grit enough?

    Burnley's defenders played out of their skins against Liverpool on Sunday. Blocking every shot. Never once losing their formation. Not one of them lapsing in concentration. Scott Parker's tactics drilled into them with such precision that they hardly blinked.

    And it worked. It worked so, so well. Liverpool could not find a way through. Burnley's determination and sublime defensive resilience looked nailed on to be rewarded with a very well-earned point, played out to the soundtrack of "Steeeeeeve" ringing through the Turf Moor crowd.

    Then, an opportunity. Liverpool, on a desperate attack, spot a chance to kick the ball at the arms of Hannibal. Penalty in stoppage time. For the second time in as many weeks, Burnley are denied the point their performance truly deserved.

    It is natural to think "what's the point", to consider going for it and at least trying to open up the pitch and attack.

    But I think that would be a mistake. Play that way and the inevitable result is a 5-0 hammering and a dressing room lacking confidence and belief.

    We saw it during Vincent Kompany's disastrous campaign two years ago. This team looks different, yet so very familiar: Scott Parker's warriors, served with just a pinch of the Sean Dyche era.

    It is the performances, not the results, that will matter this season, and if the Clarets put in more performances like they did against Liverpool, they might just find themselves in that golden 17th spot.

    Something special is brewing in east Lancashire...

    Find more from Natalie Bromley at No Nay Never podcast, external