RODRIGUEZ HAS FULL FOCUS ON PALACE

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Striker keen to bounce back with three points

2024-02-23T15:44:31.317Z

RODRIGUEZ HAS FULL FOCUS ON PALACE

Striker keen to bounce back with three points

2024-02-23T15:44:31.317Z

Striker keen to bounce back with three points

Jay Rodriguez believes the Clarets need to press ahead and not dwell on the past ahead of Saturday's encounter with Crystal Palace.

Reflecting on the disappointment of last weekend's defeat to Arsenal, Burnley's number 9 is all too aware of the tough challenge the Eagles pose, but says that the team have to go there and leave everything on the pitch in the hunt for three points.

“You have to take the negatives and improve on them. You’ve just got to keep the consistency going in terms of working hard, doing everything you can on the training field, maximising each day and then you’re ready for the game on Saturday. That’s all you can focus on, not to dwell too far in the past and be ready for the next game.

“It’s not good to see us down at the bottom, it’s not where we want to be. But we’ve just got to focus on each game, each week. If you do get a positive result on Saturday, then you can kick on and get another one. It’s about getting that run, that win under our belt to then go on a run.”

RODRIGUEZ HAS FULL FOCUS ON PALACE - Image 1

A player with a lot of history at Burnley, Rodriguez and his teammates have been playing a different style under Manager Vincent Kompany, who has been sticking to his principles in the Premier League.

“It’s a way of playing and we stick to it. We do create chances from the way we play, we feel like we can be dangerous from every part of the game. I think it’s a way of playing to try and control games.

“Arsenal on Saturday, they’re probably one of the best teams I’ve seen this season, in the way they control and how they hurt you. That’s what we try and aspire to do.”

Over his time at the Club, how does the 34-year-old feel the style of play has evolved?

“I’ve been lucky enough to have many managers, many great managers, and every manager has always got their own style and you just try and learn as much as you can through that manager.

“Two totally different ways of playing but there’s so many ways of winning a football game and I think that’s why everyone loves football - because it’s so unpredictable.

“Different styles, I’ve learnt from both managers and it’s only good for myself.”

RODRIGUEZ HAS FULL FOCUS ON PALACE - Image 2

As a senior player in the group, Rodriguez is also enjoying the opportunity to help guide the younger players.

“It’s obviously a different role you play, you still feel young yourself. Corky and I talk about it, we still feel young, but we’ve got that experience behind us. So, it’s always important to pass your experience onto the younger players to keep standards up. Try to guide them through if its going to be a difficult period or a period where it’s going well, you’ve just got to keep the team on a level and pass your experience on. It’s quite enjoyable really. They’re all great lads and it’s good to be a part of.

“I’m still learning myself; I’m still looking to learn from the manager and the way we play. Every game’s different and it’s a case of just keep improving.”

Saturday will see Vincent Kompany's side come up against Oliver Glasner's Crystal Palace, for his first game in the dugout.

RODRIGUEZ HAS FULL FOCUS ON PALACE - Image 3

“It’s going to be a tough game, it’s always tough when you play at Palace. The atmosphere is great, I really enjoy the atmosphere down there. They’ve got some great players that can hurt you as their own individuals, and as a team they’re a really strong team.

“We know its going to be a tough game, but we’ve got to go there and really work hard to get the points. We have to give everything. We have to leave everything on that pitch, be really competitive in every moment of the game from the first to the last minute.

"I think continuing to keep working hard, we can’t drop off that - if you drop off that then you’re finished. So, we’ve got to maintain the hard work and hopefully the results will come.”