Result Takes Gloss Off Westwood Landmark

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Acting skipper expects response to losing start as Clarets head for break

2020-10-03T23:00:00.000Z

Result Takes Gloss Off Westwood Landmark

Acting skipper expects response to losing start as Clarets head for break

2020-10-03T23:00:00.000Z

Westwood Confident Of Net Gains - Image 1

Ashley Westwood is looking for the Clarets to re-group during the international break after his milestone strike wasn’t enough to end Burnley’s losing start to the Premier League season.

Westwood marked his 100th top-flight appearance for the Clarets with a stunning equalising goal at St James’ Park.

But two goals in 12 minutes shortly afterwards nipped the comeback in the bud as Newcastle’s 3-1 win left the Clarets pointless three games into their league campaign.

“It’s a special moment for me,” said Westwood, who again led by example as the Clarets’ stand-in skipper from the middle of the pitch.

“It’s something I need to do more, get in the box and chip in with the odd goal.

“But it’s disappointing with the loss. It means nothing.

“It’s been a tough start with the night games, which messes your routine up a bit. But that’s not an excuse.

“We can’t give teams a head-start in the Premier League. We know that. We said it against Southampton and we’re saying it again tonight.

“We didn’t start well. The first half was poor from our standards.

Result Takes Gloss Off Westwood Landmark - Image 1

“In the second half, again, we came out and were the better side for the first 20 minutes but then we couldn’t quite see it through.

“The gaffer told us we needed to play more on the front foot and get after them. We got the goal and if anything, it looked like we were going to go on and win it.”

The early-season itinerary – as well as a lengthy injury list – hasn’t helped Sean Dyche’s men, who have been given late kick-offs and time to kill on each of their match-days so far.

But they have also looked short of their best form and the two-week international break, ahead of a trip to West Bromwich Albion, looks to have come at a good time with senior men Ben Mee and Jay Rodriguez hopefully fit for the resumption and Jack Cork and Matt Lowton also given more time to recover from their injuries.

“We’ve not been our usual selves. We need to get back to that. We need to address the finer detail and move on,” admitted Westwood.

“We wanted to come here and get the three points and really enjoy the break but that’s not happened and we need to re-focus and the hard work starts again.

“We’ve been here before. We know what it’s like. We’ll have a break and then get back to working hard and hopefully you’ll see what we do best.

“Hopefully, we’ll get even more bodies back and we’ll get back to what we do best and get some momentum going.”