soccer

Parker on Ward-Prowse, 'full backing' from owners and results 'hurting'

Burnley boss Scott Parker has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park (kick-off 19:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

  • On team news: "We are all good injury-wise. Nothing to really report - no-one really coming back as well. We are practically where we have been over the past few weeks."
  • He also said James Ward-Prowse could be an option to start against the Eagles after playing in an under-21s game last weekend: "He hasn't played a lot of football. That is a decision for me to make but I have no doubt we will see James Ward-Prowse on the pitch tomorrow night."
  • On where Burnley find themselves in the Premier League: "Emotional support is probably the biggest thing at the moment. The psychology of what we are in is fundamentally the key at this present moment in time. It's very clear where we are and the situation we are in, so let's strip a lot back in terms of our thinking and focus, and keep fighting away here. I know there's more to that here - of course there is - and it's easier said than done."
  • He added: "We're all hurting at this moment in time, but there is still a lot of football to be played. People are writing us off, for sure, and they can't really see where the next win is coming from. That's not the mentality we need to adopt."
  • On his relationship with the owners: "That relationship is concrete. My relationship with the ownership has been very clear, it's very honest and transparent and I have absolutely nothing but the full backing."
  • He added: "The day, minute or hour I feel I am not the right man, I will be the first to shake someone's hand. I'd be very comfortable with that because I care deeply about this football club and I care deeply about this group of players."
  • On what positives he sees at the moment: "It's a tough question. Anything I say that is positive is only going to add more fire to this situation. That is the reality. Anything I say regarding us as a group, the positive of coming out with three draws against big teams, the positive results at the beginning of the season when we were hugely competitive is something that will probably be frowned up and antagonise the situation even more."
  • He added: "What changes it is winning. That's a word easy to say but that is probably the only way us as a group, me as a manager and this team can get some air. We can only get it by winning."
  • He expects a "a tough game" against Palace, who are a "well coached side coming off the back of some good results, with some really good individual talent".

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[BBC]

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