PARKER PLEASED WITH TEAM'S PROGRESS

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Head Coach discusses recent results and Forest test

2025-09-18T15:20:40.724Z

PARKER PLEASED WITH TEAM'S PROGRESS

Head Coach discusses recent results and Forest test

2025-09-18T15:20:40.724Z

Head Coach discusses recent results and Forest test

Scott Parker was keen to emphasise he's pleased with the progress he believes his players have shown in recent games, as the Clarets prepare for the visit of Nottingham Forest to Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon.

The squad have come close to points against Manchester United and Liverpool, with late penalties causing heartache. However, the Burnley Head Coach is taking the positives from the performances and said the frustration will push the team on.

“I think the main mantra that we've always taken, and we took last year for the majority of the season, was take each game as it comes. We reflect; we debrief. A lot of positives, like I said, playing the fixtures, we've been presented with early on in this season. They have been some tough, tough fixtures. And as a team coming up into this division, that can be quite daunting at times.

“I've seen a massive improvement from the first game of the season at Spurs, where I felt in the early part of that we looked a little bit dazed, a little bit unsure. I've seen a gradual improvement from there to Manchester United, and then another massive improvement to Liverpool, really. So, yeah, look, every little nugget of every bit where there's been success or there's been positivity around the group, we need to emphasise, and we need to hold on to.

“That's going to be our season this year. Of course, there's disappointment, and the disappointment is that we've not managed to come out with two extra points in the last two weeks. But football moves quick, we move quick. We've now got a game against Forest, another game for us to try and bring our best game and try and get a result.”

MATCH PREVIEW: ASTON VILLA V BURNLEY - Image 5

Saturday’s opponents have had a recent change in the dugout, with Ange Postecoglou now in charge and Parker says that whoever the manager is, the challenge will be tough.

“I think he's been well-documented. Ange where he's gone, has been hugely successful at previous clubs and he did that again last year. So, up against a huge competitor and someone who's been around it for a long, long time. Obviously, the planning for us is, I wouldn't say not ideal, but you're obviously planning for a totally different set-up and a different outlook on the game.

"But yeah, it'll be a tough game, as always, and certainly with Ange being there as well, whether it was Ange or Nuno, it's the Premier League, and we'll have to come with our best game, really.”

Parker also reinforced just how important a role Turf Moor, and the supporters will play this season.

“It's going to be absolutely vital, and it's going to be fundamental for us this year. For this group, for myself, us as coaches, and us as an organisation, really.

“We understand the challenges this year, and we've said this from the outset, us as a group here, as a tight-knit group, we understand the challenges, and we know what's going to be needed. We're going to need to bring quality, but for sure we're going to need to bring a togetherness, a cohesion, a commitment, that nothing buckles us, really, and the fans are vitally important to that.

“The weekend's game was a prime example of that; Sunderland was a prime example and I think the fans are on our page as well, they understand the dynamics. They're going to understand, and they do understand that there's a group of men that run out here every week, and I can guarantee you from the first game of the season to the last, it's an honest group that will try and give everything they can for this shirt. I think our supporters can always forgive certain things, but I also think they appreciate and respect, and we'll be right behind this group, really, which we're going to need for the large part of this year.”