KOMPANY LOOKS AHEAD TO TERRIERS TRIP

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Clarets boss previews season opener

2022-07-29T07:00:00.000Z

KOMPANY LOOKS AHEAD TO TERRIERS TRIP

Clarets boss previews season opener

2022-07-29T07:00:00.000Z

CLARETS CALENDAR: YOUR GUIDE TO THE WEEK AHEAD - Image 1

Manager Vincent Kompany admits he is excited for new chapter at the Club ahead of Friday night’s opening game away at Huddersfield Town.

The Burnley chief held his first pre-match press conference on Wednesday ahead of the trip to West Yorkshire and spoke about how pre-season has gone, competition within the squad and other topics as the 2022/23 season approaches.

Kompany on positivity:

“I’m naturally in a good mood because I’m a positive person but I’m looking forward to the start of the season and to being in the Championship with this team. I’m beginning what I hope will be a long journey with this Club.

“There’s loads of reasons to be positive for us. The biggest thing we’ve seen as coaches is just purely the application of the team. I mention the words ‘togetherness’ and ‘hard work’ and they’re what have always been associated with Burnley Football Club.

“That will remain and on that side of it, we’ve ticked the boxes quite nicely. In terms of performances, we’ll build from Friday. We are not a ‘parachute’ team, but you don’t have to be to be successful.”

Kompany on learning on the job about the Championship:

“I’m going to avoid predicting too much because this is the first time that I will play (be involved) in the Championship.

“The more I get to know the league, the more I’ll know [how we’ll get on] but what I already know for sure is that we will go there [to Huddersfield] with a team to compete, try to win the game, and see how we can measure ourselves against one of the best teams in the league.

“[In the first three matches of the season], we’ve got Luton who were in the Play-Offs [last season], Huddersfield who were as well, and Watford who were in the Premier League last season. Within three games, we’ll get to see where we’re at against some of the best teams in the league.

KOMPANY LOOKS AHEAD TO TERRIERS TRIP - Image 1

“Those three games all happen within the transfer window, so it’s good for us to see that and then assess. If we win the three, we’ll know we’re alright. If we’re going the other way, it gives us the chance to make some even more informed decisions.”

Kompany on starting on the front foot:

“It's always said it’s important and I’ve never heard a manager say, ‘let’s start off bad then build it up from there’, so I’m along the same lines. I want to start strong, but I think we’re in a bit of a different period than other clubs.

“We’re turning over a lot of players at the moment - players coming in and others leaving - so my priority is to try and get points early doors to then benefit later on in the season from when the lads come together as a group.

Kompany on competition for places:

“It's what I want across the whole squad. A couple of guys who we brought into the Club have put our minds at ease because we can see they’re going to be good players for us, whether that be now or in 12 months’ time.

“In that sense, I would trust anyone I need to play now to do so, but at this point, you’re looking at finding a way of getting those players on the pitch because we can’t afford to be leaving them out.”

KOMPANY LOOKS AHEAD TO TERRIERS TRIP - Image 2

Kompany on his management at Burnley:

“Relentless is the best way to describe it. In terms of who I am as a person, I think I’m naturally brave but I’m very self-critical as well. I’m brave because I throw myself into a situation, but at the same time, I’m willing to work hard to make it work and that fits the description here.

“The style of play might change but it’s more about the culture and the values here which need to stay the same. I’ve been at other Clubs where you go through change, but you’re in the North West and you’ve got to work hard.

“The lads need to be able to be spoken to directly. The balls may not be direct, but the instructions still will be. The rest of it is about finding a way to score goals in every moment of the game, and that’s something I’m looking for in my team.”