PIETERS LOOKS AHEAD TO CARABAO CUP CLASH

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Defender Erik Pieters ready for Rochdale cup test at Turf Moor

2021-09-20T18:03:52.808Z

PIETERS LOOKS AHEAD TO CARABAO CUP CLASH

Defender Erik Pieters ready for Rochdale cup test at Turf Moor

2021-09-20T18:03:52.808Z

Defender Erik Pieters ready for Rochdale cup test at Turf Moor

Erik Pieters believes Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie against Rochdale can give the Clarets a much-needed boost following a tough start to the new season.

Sean Dyche’s men have endured a challenging opening few weeks of the new campaign, picking up one point from the first five rounds of Premier League action.

Last time out in the Carabao Cup, the Clarets defeated Newcastle United on penalties after a 0-0 draw, with Wayne Hennessey the hero as he made two shootout saves from Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron.

And Pieters reckons the third round clash against Rochdale will provide plenty of opportunities for a number of players within the Burnley camp.

He said: “Throughout the squad, the players, including me, that are not playing in the league at this moment are looking at this game..

“I think it’s really good at this moment for us to show the gaffer where we’re up to and how our fitness level is and that we can be of value to the team as well.

“Either way, I think it’s a really good thing to have a cup game in between the Premier League for us to get our fitness levels up and get games in as well for a winning streak.

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“Like I said, when you win a cup game, maybe that can be the change around and you can take it from there.”

So far this season, 33-year-old Pieters has featured just twice, coming off the bench against Liverpool in the Premier League and starting in the Clarets’ Carabao penalty shootout win over the Magpies Newcastle.

And the Dutch left-back admits he’s eager to get in and amongst the action when Rochdale arrive at Turf Moor.

Pieters added: "There’s a win-win in every single moment, every single game and every single training session.

“You have to take every single game and training session as a serious task for yourself. For me personally, I just want to play football.

“I think everyone wants to play football, so I’m looking forward to potentially playing against Rochdale – having a go and then we’re going to take it from there.

“We want to make it difficult for the manager to choose between players.”

And while he may not have featured as much as he’d like, Pieters is checking his ego at the door when it comes to helping the rest of the Burnley squad prepare for matches.

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He said: “I think you have to be selfish sometimes, because if you say to yourself you’re fine and I’m ok in this position, I don’t think you’ll be happy – I’m not happy because I want to play.

“I always want to play in my career and for as long as possible because I’m ready, I’m healthy and fit and I’m feeling really well.

“But with new players coming in, you have to help them – especially with Maxwel [Cornet] coming in and speaking French. That will help us all to coach and talk with him.

"You need to help each other. At the end of the day, we’re here all together and we have to make sure we get the best results and if I need to help Charlie [Taylor] for example do bits and pieces, I will help Charlie.

“It’s not Charlie’s choice to play, it’s the gaffer’s choice so you have to accept it and help each other.”