PARKER PRAISES 'BATTLING SPIRIT' IN LEEDS WIN

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Clarets boss applauds team display at Elland Road

2024-09-14T15:10:23.661Z

PARKER PRAISES 'BATTLING SPIRIT' IN LEEDS WIN

Clarets boss applauds team display at Elland Road

2024-09-14T15:10:23.661Z

SCOTT PARKER NOMINATED FOR MANAGER OF THE MONTH - Image 1

Burnley Head Coach Scott Parker praised his side's 'determination, grit and battling' performance against Leeds United on Saturday, as the Clarets came away with all three points.

The visitors took the lead in the 18th minute through Luca Koleosho's strike and that goal turned out to be the winner, as Burnley kept the home side at bay despite Daniel Farke's side pushing for an equaliser.

Speaking post-match at Elland Road, Parker hailed his team's display and highlighted the 'foundations' shown from his men.

The Clarets boss said: “It’s a massive three points for us. It’s obviously a tough place to come, certainly for where we are and the stages of our development as well. It’s a very, very big three points.

“The foundations that got us the three points today was everything we need to stand for as a team: grit, determination, battling spirit to a man. We showed every bit of that and that’s ultimately why we got the three points."

On the game overall, Parker added: “First-half I thought we started pretty well. Obviously they have a massive chance early doors from a turnover and we’re fortunate enough that the boy misses.

“We then nudge our way into the game and produce a couple of half chances. Joe Worrall from a set-play and a Hannibal header. We had little bits that I liked.

“It’s fair to say during the back end of the first-half they caused us some problems. We needed to fix that at half-time, certainly down the left side, because there were some real overloads on that side of the pitch. We fixed that though and the boys executed the plan perfectly in the second-half.”

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On Koleosho's winning strike, Parker smiled and gave huge credit to the 19-year-old: “It’s a brilliant finish. Not many can go and run 60 or 70 yards up the pitch at full pace and have the calmness to execute the finish like he did.

“I was delighted for him, I thought he was brilliant in his moments. I’m expecting him to make a massive impact (in this league).

“This is a top player. He needs refining for sure and there’s a lot of work to be done. But he’s still a young boy, he only really had half a season last year and you can see elements to his game.

“He’s the last on the training field at times, always wanting to do extra. He’s got certain attributes and qualities, that we’ve seen against Leeds, where he was deadly.

“He will be massive for us this year, he will be a real threat for us. We will keep working with him and that will help as well.”

Within the starting XI, there was a debut for new signing Zian Flemming, with the Dutchman leading the line, and Parker was impressed with his performance and the others around him.

“I thought he was brilliant. There were seven brand new players starting in the team. I will reiterate, is the team looking like we want us to look? No, of course not. Every player in that changing room will see that as well.

“But there is no magic wand in what we do as coaches, although people from the outside might suspect that is the case! The reality is, it’s not. It takes time, everything takes time.

“Certainly with playing style, that’s going to take time. What impresses me the most after a new team being together for just two weeks, and it’s what we asked for at Leeds and it’s what will define us and will be the foundation for us, is the spirit, the determination and the mentality of not giving up.

“If that’s our core, if that’s what we stand for, we will be very tough to beat this year.”