PARKER'S PRE-MATCH POINTS: AFC BOURNEMOUTH (A)

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Boss looks ahead to Cherries clash

2025-12-19T15:02:03.747Z

PARKER'S PRE-MATCH POINTS: AFC BOURNEMOUTH (A)

Boss looks ahead to Cherries clash

2025-12-19T15:02:03.747Z

Gaffer looks ahead to Toon clash at Turf Moor

Scott Parker spoke to the media on Friday ahead of the squad's trip to AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League.

The Clarets gaffer discussed a whole host of topics, here's what he had to say ...

SHOWING FIGHT

“We’re ok this weekend. A lot of players come back. We’ve had a little bit of illness in and around this week, but injury wise we’re where we are really. We’re in good shape.

“Without giving anything away here, we’ll see what the weekend brings us and bringing out the team that I feel will give us a fight and a spirit because that’s what we’re going to need at this present moment in time in terms of the run that we’re in.

“My emotions are pretty stable really. At 45 years of age, with a vast amount of experiences, I’ve probably been used to dealing with these sorts of bumps that you get. So, I’m very, very stable. I understand what’s needed in this moment of time. One thing that is needed is we have to stand up to this fight that we’re in. We are in a fight and we’re in a fight due to us not being able to pick up results. So, as always that microscope comes down pretty sharp because it’s the results in terms of us not winning that has brought that spotlight firmly on.”

STAYING CALM

“We’ve been hugely competitive, I constantly say that, and I’m not going to be embarrassed to sit here and say that either because it’s the truth. We haven’t picked up results, but we’ve been hugely competitive. I think we’ve lost games by more than one goal in three games this year, Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs, [sic, Manchester City]. The other games we’ve been hugely competitive.

PARKER'S PRE-MATCH POINTS: AFC BOURNEMOUTH (A) - Image 1

“I sound like a broken record I understand that. At times we’ve just fallen a little bit short. I don’t want that to become such a big issue to this young squad because there’s a lot of positives. We need to fix up on certain things, and we have to get out of this run that we’re currently in. There’re certain elements that we need to address.

“Regarding the team and where they are, of course, that’s the challenge for me. That’s at the forefront of my mind at this present moment in time as a coach. At the forefront of my mind is where the team are psychologically, as human beings, that are facing adversity. For some who are facing something for the first time, a brand-new experience to them. Fundamentally, their mindset and where they are is crucial to me and my job is to calm that a little bit. Have a reality on it of course, we need that, but to calm it and us keep moving.”

AFCON TOURNAMENT

“It stretches us, those three boys leaving. It tests us a little bit in terms of the squad, it gives other players the opportunity now.

“The tournament sits right in the middle of the season. There’s many a club with the same predicament, in the same situation.

“We have no choice, that’s what it is. Those boys have gone away. We work it out and other players get an opportunity.”

BUSY FESTIVE PERIOD

“It’s the same as always really. There’s the turnaround and I know it’s the festive season but we’ve a big game on the 27th as well against Everton. Even more so at this moment in time, there’s no time to relax, it’s full steam ahead and even more so next week.”