EGAN-RILEY TALKS POTTERS DRAW AT TURF MOOR

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Centre-back reflects on Stoke City draw

2025-01-01T18:34:12.105Z

EGAN-RILEY TALKS POTTERS DRAW AT TURF MOOR

Centre-back reflects on Stoke City draw

2025-01-01T18:34:12.105Z

Centre-back reflects on Stoke City draw

CJ Egan-Riley said he was frustrated following the Clarets’ goalless draw with Stoke City on New Year's Day.

Reflecting on a performance in which he believes there were positives to take, the defender who was named Player of the Match was keen to review the game and turn his focus to the East Lancashire Derby on Saturday.

“It’s a bit frustrating. I think that we were the better team today. We still probably weren’t at our best. If you look at some of the games in the last few weeks, we’ve definitely had better performances. But I still think there were bits in there that meant we could have definitely come away from this game with three points.”

Scott Parker's men found it tough to break down a stubborn Stoke side and just couldn't find that goal despite having chances late on.

“Yes, that’s football and that happens. The thing is now, there’s so many games, the games are coming thick and fast and we’re not going to win every game.

“Recently we’ve had some really good results, we’ve been playing much better than earlier on in the season, looking more dangerous, creating more chances and scoring more goals. We’ve definitely improved. Today we couldn’t quite get the goal to come away with the win but there were still positives. We just need to stay in the right mindset. We’ve got a massive game coming up on Saturday. In the Championship we can’t let it be a rollercoaster; we know there are going to be ups and downs. We just need to stay on a level playing field, take the games as they come and try put it right now on Saturday.”

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The Clarets have enjoyed a positive run, with the draw making it 12 unbeaten for the home side and a 16th clean sheet secured. Whilst happy with the statistics, the young centre-back says there are still lots of areas the team want to improve on.

“There’s always going to be ups and downs, positives, and negatives, but we just have to stick to the process, and we know the process. If you look at where we were a month or two ago, to now, we’ve made some massive improvements and are heading in the right direction.

“At the moment we’re not conceding many goals and we’re keeping clean sheets which is a big thing if we want to go on and do what we want to do this year. We just need to stick at that.

“There’re so many areas we can improve. We’re already doing it but there’s so much more to come. So, we just have to keep working hard and take it game by game.”

The 21-year-old has enjoyed quite the breakout season in claret and blue, how is he feeling from a personal perspective?

“I’m disappointed with the result today because the main thing for me is wanting to be good for the team and today we couldn’t quite come away with the result we wanted. But from a personal standpoint, I’m playing games, I’m giving my all every week for the team and for the Club. That’s just what I’m going to carry on doing. If I can do that and be at my best or put out my best performances as much as possible, I’m sure that is going to help the team.

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“At the moment I feel like I’m in a good rhythm. I’m learning constantly, I’m being a sponge to all the information and all the new challenges that I’m getting every week. I’m just trying to improve myself to become the best player and show the best version of myself that I can.”

The next game in the calendar is a big one for the Clarets, with a trip to Ewood Park on Saturday in the lunchtime kick-off. How's he feeling ahead of the visit?

“I’ve not started in a game against Blackburn yet. I came on in the last five, ten minutes of the last one. It wasn’t one of my best performances of the season so I’m looking to put that right on Saturday if I’m selected to play from the start. These are the games you want to play in, the massive games, the derbies. We’ll be right up for it, so will I.

"Tomorrow we'll review today's game, then all focus is on the big game at the weekend. I’m buzzing, I can’t wait for it.”

The Clarets fans have good memories from the last visit, is Saturday another opportunity to create some more memories and give the fans the game they are after?

“For sure, that’s what we want to do. We know the history and the big rivalry between us and them. We’ll be up for it at the weekend. We’ll put our best foot forward. It’s going to be a scrap, it’s going to be a fight, it’s going to be tough. But I believe in us and what we can do. I’m looking forward to it.”