HAYEN’S POST-MATCH POINTS: WEST BROMWICH ALBION

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2026-08-23T15:10+01:00

HAYEN’S POST-MATCH POINTS: WEST BROMWICH ALBION

2026-08-23T15:10+01:00

Nicky Hayen said Sunday afternoon's performance against West Bromwich Albion, Burnley's first away game of the season, was 'not good enough' and that improvements need to be made.

Speaking after the game he gave an honest reflection of what he saw and looked ahead to Wednesday's Carabao Cup clash with Bradford City.

ON THE DEFEAT

“First of all, it was totally deserved [to lose]. I think they had much more energy than us, they showed it on the pitch in duels and second balls.

“We played too slowly. We were far away from the level of last week and we said it in the dressing room, if we are really at our best, we’re really a top team. But if you play a performance like this, you’re just an average team. We have to go back to everything that we did well last week because today it was not good enough.”

SECOND HALF PERFORMANCE

“This is what you have to bring every single week, even midweek [last week’s performance]. The difference between a good player and a top player, you aways have to deliver these performances even if it’s hard, even if you’re tired. You just have to have that mindset.

“Also, in the duels and second balls, you just saw it in the last ball in the game, they kicked the ball in the stands. If the foot was between, the foot was also in the stands, and we were just pulling our foot back instead of going in the duel. This is something we have to improve.

“We didn’t stay in the structure [in the second half]. You also saw the body language in our players change, the belief was there last week and now it was more difficult. There cannot be a difference in a home and away game because we want to always perform in the same way. This is something that we have to do better.

“Of course we have players who are disappointed, who start on the bench, but they have to bring new energy into the team if they come on and don’t stay disappointed if you’re losing in that moment. We have a lot of things that we can improve but we knew it would be a little bit like this – we need some time and I know in football you don’t have the time. Step by step we’re getting there but today was not good.”

BRADFORD CITY

“We will make some changes; we want to keep everyone involved. Everyone has to show their quality for the team; there’s no difference for me between the first player and number 18. They just have to deliver quality. Even the starters today, they didn’t show all the quality that they are capable of.

“Every game is important for our Club. We are a top Club. That means you want to win every game; that’s also the expectation. We just have to manage this in a good way, so Wednesday will be an important game.”