'WE'RE EXCITED' SAYS PARKER AHEAD OF FESTIVE FIXTURES

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Clarets boss looks ahead to Christmas schedule

2024-12-19T16:39:29.955Z

'WE'RE EXCITED' SAYS PARKER AHEAD OF FESTIVE FIXTURES

Clarets boss looks ahead to Christmas schedule

2024-12-19T16:39:29.955Z

MATCH PREVIEW: SHEFFIELD UNITED V BURNLEY - Image 6

Head Coach Scott Parker admits although the Clarets have a busy and challenging couple of weeks ahead, he and his team are excited by the upcoming schedule and are looking forward to kickstarting it this weekend.

The Clarets take on 7th placed Watford on Saturday afternoon, before facing league leaders Sheffield United on Boxing day and then 6th placed Middlesbrough just three days later and Parker acknowledged the difficult fixtures, but insists they are games his team want to be 'involved in'.

Speaking to the media on Thursday ahead of hosting the Hornets at Turf Moor, Parker said: "We have a really tough period coming up, we play 7th, 1st then 6th in the space of a week.

"We're now getting to that part of the season, big fixtures, big games, but we're looking forward to them all and I'm excited.

"We're coming up to the halfway point of the season and these are all games we want to be involved in.

"The main aim for us is to go out there and try get three points in each and every game, it will be tough but our mentality stays the same."

'WE'RE EXCITED' SAYS PARKER AHEAD OF FESTIVE FIXTURES - Image 1

First up for the Clarets to begin the festive period is a clash with Watford on Saturday and Parker is expecting a challenging fixture from the London side.

"They're a really good side Watford, it will be a tough game. They have some real good individual quality across the team and are coming into this game with an unbeaten run too.

"They have a young coach in Tom (Cleverley) who has done very well and I'm looking forward to seeing him too."

The Clarets boss and his squad spent Tuesday afternoon at various locations around the local community in Burnley, including a trip to the hospital, where the Head Coach and players handed out gifts and spread Christmas joy to youngsters on the wards.

Parker highlighted the importance of spending time with the community, especially around Christmas: "It's an incredible time of year for everyone, but it's even more special to go out there in the local area and bring a smile to people's faces.

"I was stood around a young man in a hospital bed just the other day with six of the players and we're all singing a song together and it's those moments, it really was special."

When asked for an update on Maxime Esteve and Jeremy Sarmiento, after the pair were forced off at Norwich, the Burnley chief said: "They are both moving in the right direction. We are still two days out, so we will probably make a call on those two nearer to the game."