Pope: This Can Still Be A Good One

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Goalkeeper looks for strong finish to reflect on a decent year's work

2021-04-16T10:37:53.634Z

Pope: This Can Still Be A Good One

Goalkeeper looks for strong finish to reflect on a decent year's work

2021-04-16T10:37:53.634Z

Goalkeeper looks for strong finish to reflect on a decent year's work

Nick Pope is confident the Clarets are still well placed to finish on a high as they continue down the season’s final straight.

Sean Dyche’s men have some work to do to secure their Premier League status with seven games to go.

But having established a seven-point gap above the bottom three, Pope believes Burnley can make it a productive year’s work as they look to hit back from successive defeats when they go to high-flying Manchester United on Sunday.

“Things aren’t easy. It’s a lot easier said than done. We had a difficult start to the season, a really good middle period where we dragged ourselves off the ground and a chance now where we've built a foundation to have a good season by the time we get to the end of it,” said the Clarets’ goalkeeper.

Pope: This Can Still Be A Good One - Image 1

“We had that really difficult start to the season when the season could have got away from us and we could have been in a really difficult situation.

“In that regard, although we would have liked to have built on last season points-wise and everything else, considering the different factors that have gone on we have still got the chance to make this season a good one.

“From where we were after seven games you’d have to say we’re in a good position points-wise and have a chance to end the season a good note.

“We have put ourselves in a good position to have a good end to the season and then call it a good season and then look forward to next year.

“That's pretty much what we're looking to do, build on the good points that have happened in the last couple of weeks and put them into good results.”

Pope: This Can Still Be A Good One - Image 2

The injury-hit Clarets – who finished 10th last season after a superb post-lockdown run – were bottom of the table in early November after taking only point from their opening six games and had to wait until game eight for their first win.

They have since added a further 28 points to sit 16th in the table ahead of the visit to Old Trafford where Dyche’s men are unbeaten in their last four visits.

It remains to be seen whether Pope will make the team coach and return to the Clarets' starting line-up after missing last Sunday’s defeat to Newcastle with a shoulder injury, which is not expected to be a long-term problem.

But the trip would certainly bring back good memories for the England international, who celebrates his 29th birthday next Monday.

“It doesn't make it any easier this time, but we have managed to pick up some good results there,” added Pope, who kept a clean sheet in a 2-0 win last January to help the Clarets win at United for the first time since 1962 on a famous night at the home of the former champions.

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“Being 2-0 for the third year in a row it was good to get over the line.

“When you speak to all of the lads it would be one of the highlights of their career for sure.

“Being the year it’s been, when you think back to that game you do think of the fans who were there in the corner and going over to them at the end of the game being nearly the only ones left in the ground.

“It was a really special occasion. Moments like that make you appreciate fans even more and what they bring to stadiums and to games.

“It's definitely a game in my career that I won't forget.”