LAURENT EXCITED TO GET BACK TO TURF MOOR

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Midfielder looks ahead to Pompey test

2024-09-20T17:00:00.000Z

LAURENT EXCITED TO GET BACK TO TURF MOOR

Midfielder looks ahead to Pompey test

2024-09-20T17:00:00.000Z

Midfielder looks ahead to Pompey test

It's not yet been a month that Josh Laurent has been a Claret, however he says he's settling into the Club really well and can't wait to get back to Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon against Portsmouth.

Speaking ahead of the fixture he praised the team togetherness, learning from his teammates and setting himself goals for the season.

“I’m looking forward to Saturday, I’m looking forward to being in front of the crowd again and most importantly, hopefully getting three points and giving them something to really celebrate and get behind us with.”

Portsmouth fans will have quite the journey to Lancashire and Laurent is confident the visitors and their fans will be well up for the task ahead.

“It’s a big club. Like every team they’ll be up for it, they’ll be coming here trying to win. But we’ve got to stamp our Burnley way on them, on the game. We know we need to be better on the ball, but we’ve just got to go out there and get three points.”

Laurent experienced Turf Moor for the first time at the Lancashire derby, how does he rate it in terms of atmosphere?

“Right up there! That first game was crazy, I loved every minute of it. It was right up there, every tackle, every forward pass that was done they [the fans] appreciated. It was made known, so I am really looking forward to playing there and being in front of them.”

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As a town proud of its football club, has Laurent felt a togetherness between the team and the fans?

“Yes 100%. There’s a big togetherness here at the Club. I think you’ve probably seen it on the pitch as well, you can see it from fans appreciating it. You can tell, as long as you wear your heart on your sleeve, the fans are going to love you and appreciate you. That’s the biggest thing that we’ve done, I think we showed that at Leeds, especially. They’ve got a big appreciation for us, and we appreciate them. We’re in this together and success is always achieved together. So long may it continue.”

The 29-year-old has plenty of experience, having spent time at Clubs including Reading, Stoke and Shrewsbury to name a few. So, how's he finding life at Burnley?

“I’ve loved it. The last two weeks that I’ve been here, the training’s probably been one of the toughest I’ve had but I wouldn’t want it any other way. I’ve loved every second of it.

“The way we trained leading up to Leeds, I think we showed it on the pitch, how hard we’ve worked, how together we’ve been and the mentality of the group and that’s come from the Gaffer and the boys that have already been here. I love being a part of this group.”

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And in terms of ambitions for the season, is he someone that sets himself goals to aim for?

“I have little goals that I target, I’ve always been someone to look at myself. The main thing is I want my teammates to know they can trust me and try to get that across as early as possible. That they can rely on me on the pitch.

“Personally, it’s always nice to score a few goals and chip in on that area of the pitch. But I think ultimately, it’s every boy’s dream to play in the Premier League, it’s not something I’ve done yet. That’s something I’ve come here to do; I want to be successful. My goals align with the Club and my teammates. We want to get to the Premier League, get promoted. I’m constantly learning from the manager, the coaching staff, my teammates because they’re people that have played in the Premier League, so I’m constantly learning and constantly wanting to get better to get to that level.”

Finally, playing in a midfield alongside two other Josh's, how does he see his role?

“I think the Gaffer knows that I can play both 6 and 8, I’ve been both a 6 and 8 most of my career. Different managers see you in different ways, I’ve had to play in different ways.

“There will probably be times this season that the Gaffer uses me as both and I’m prepared for that. Whatever’s best for the team, I’ll play in goal if I have to, right-back, left-back, I know it’s a bit cliché, I’m sure all my teammates will.

“If I could choose, I’d say an 8 just because you get forward and there’s goals involved, everyone loves scoring goals! But as I say I’m happy to be the one that sits deep as well.”