Westwood: Team Spirit Worth 12 Points

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Midfielder praises Clarets' collective as Burnley seek to take another big step

2021-02-19T14:53:30.474Z

Westwood: Team Spirit Worth 12 Points

Midfielder praises Clarets' collective as Burnley seek to take another big step

2021-02-19T14:53:30.474Z

Midfielder praises Clarets' collective as Burnley seek to take another big step

Ashley Westwood believes the character and camaraderie in the Clarets’ squad has been worth the equivalent of four wins in the battle to preserve Premier League status.

Burnley’s playing personnel has been severely stretched by injuries for most of the season and they will again be without a number of senior men for Saturday’s visit of West Bromwich Albion.

But despite that, Sean Dyche’s men sit 15th in the table and within striking distance of a number of clubs just above them on the back of three-match unbeaten run.

“It’s tough, but we’re a squad that gets on with it,” said Westwood – an ever-present this season as a guiding light in the Clarets’ midfield.

Westwood: Team Spirit Worth 12 Points - Image 1

“We have a squad that will dig in and we’ll work our socks off and we won’t use injuries as an excuse.

“I think in pre-season we had about 12 fit, first-team players but we managed to come through it.

“It was a tough start, but the character got us through it.

“We’ve shown that over the season. We had a really tough start but in the last 15 or so games we’ve been unbelievable, and it shows the character of the group and what the gaffer has built here.

“There’s not a squad like us for the closeness. That alone gets you 12 points, in my eyes.

“We’ve put ourselves in a great position to build on in the final third of the season.”

Westwood: Team Spirit Worth 12 Points - Image 2

The Clarets – who have taken 25 of their 27 points in their last 17 fixtures – still have work to do make sure they don’t get pulled back into the relegation scrap.

But after winning impressively at Crystal Palace a week ago and then keeping Fulham and the bottom three at arm’s length by coming from behind to secure a 1-1 draw in mid-week, another victory over second-from-bottom West Brom could lift the Clarets as high as 13th place.

“Fulham came and it was a real battle. They’re a good side and it was a tough game for us,” added Westwood.

“We would have taken a point from that. This will be another battle but one we’re certainly up for.

“We have given ourselves that little bit of a cushion. We’re three points off Southampton, who everyone says has had a great season everyone.

“If we win on Saturday we look after our own business and it will put us in a great position and with a chance of another top-half finish, which is incredible for this football club and for all the problems we’ve had this season.”