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Brothers In Arms

Tarkowski welcomes returning teammates as in form Clarets look to maintain momentum

2020-12-17T10:03:38.404Z

Brothers In Arms

Tarkowski welcomes returning teammates as in form Clarets look to maintain momentum

2020-12-17T10:03:38.404Z

Tarkowski welcomes returning teammates as in form Clarets look to maintain momentum

James Tarkowski is backing strength in numbers to propel the Clarets up the table as they look to stay on a roll at Villa Park.

Burnley go to Aston Villa on Thursday night back in the Premier League’s bottom three on goal difference after Fulham shared the points with Brighton on Wednesday evening.

But a second successive away win would lift Sean Dyche’s men above both of those sides into 16th place and Tarkowksi is determined to maintain the momentum with the assistance of more of his friends and colleagues.

“As a squad we’re getting to a place where we want to be,” insisted the Clarets’ defender.

“The gaffer said we were never too far away and it seems in recent weeks we’ve found a good bit of form.

“That needs to continue because there are plenty of points to pick up and performances to prove.

“The league table shows at the minute that we still haven’t got away, so we still need to put plenty of points on the board.

“But it’s nice to see some faces back in and around the squad, as well. At this level of football, you need that strong squad.

“It’s not just the 11 on the pitch, it’s the full depth, so it’s nice to see people back and hopefully we’ll get a few more involved in the next few weeks and that real competition in the squad.

“It’s looking good, but we need to show that on the pitch and keep putting in performances and results.”

After missing up to half-a-dozen senior men at various points in the opening weeks of the season, the Clarets are getting back towards a clean bill of health.

Midfielder Jack Cork will be given more game time before he comes back into contention but no-one remains on the long-term absentee list.

The increased options could be crucial as the Clarets continue a spell of six games in three weeks either side of Christmas.

And Tarkowksi is relishing that run as the Clarets look to back up Sunday night’s win at Arsenal and enhance a record of just one loss in five games against a Villa side sitting 11th in the table but looking to avoid a fourth successive home defeat.

“I like this time of year,” added Tarkowski – part of a defensive unit which has racked up three vital clean sheets in the last five fixtures.

“It’s a good time of year to pick up plenty of points if we can and work our way up that table.

“Games comes thick and fast and it’s another great test for us on Thursday.

“They’re a team that’s been in form for most of the season in the top half of the table, so it’s a good test and something we’re looking forward to.

“Obviously, we’ve had a slow start to the season but, overall, I feel like we’re in a good place.

“We just need to keep working at it and with the squad we’ve got together now we ask a lot of each other, so we want to keep working hard and get up the table.”