Westwood: We're More Than Capable

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Midfielder backs Burnley to play their way to safety

2021-04-19T11:09:43.871Z

Westwood: We're More Than Capable

Midfielder backs Burnley to play their way to safety

2021-04-19T11:09:43.871Z

Midfielder backs Burnley to play their way to safety

Ashley Westwood is happy to have the Clarets’ destiny in their own hands as they look to ensure Premier League survival.

And the midfielder is confident Sean Dyche’s men have the wherewithal to take care of themselves and keep top-flight football at Turf Moor for a sixth season in a row.

The Clarets suffered a third successive defeat in a 3-1 loss to second-placed Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

But Burnley didn’t go down without a fight as it took a deflected late strike from Mason Greenwood to restore United’s lead and set up their first home win over the Clarets in five attempts.

Westwood: We're More Than Capable - Image 1

And Westwood believes Dyche’s side is playing well enough to remain clear of the bottom three, which is six points away after 18th-placed Fulham – who have played a game more than the Clarets – narrowed the gap slightly with a 1-1 draw at Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.

“We came here with great confidence. We usually do well here. It was another good performance, but we couldn't quite see it out,” said Westwood.

“When we need performances we usually put them in. We’ve got the last bit of the season now and we will put in the hard yards.

“We are playing well, that's the main thing. We are creating chances and scoring goals and we know we can keep clean sheets.

“It's all in our hands and six points is a big gap when you're down there.

“There aren’t many games to go. It’s in our hands and if we continue with performances like that, we’re more than capable.”

Westwood delivered the corner that allowed James Tarkowski to head home Burnley’s equaliser early in the second half as the defender’s first goal of the season cancelled out Greenwood’s opener just two minutes earlier.

Westwood: We're More Than Capable - Image 2

Only three players have now created more goals from set pieces than Westwood since the 31-year-old – an ever-present in the Premier League so far this season – started playing in the top-flight with Aston Villa.

But it wasn’t quite enough to earn any reward as a Burnley side which showed great intent - with a new-look formation incorporating Josh Brownhill just ahead of Westwood and the returning Jack Cork - was cruelly undone at the death by Greenwood's second goal and Edinson Cavani's 93rd-minute tap-in.

“The reaction was brilliant. It's what you need to do. We have done it a couple of times this season and it did feel like we were going to see it out,” added Westwood.

“It felt comfortable. It felt like we were going to get a point, but it wasn't to be.

“I thought the performance was excellent. We stayed in the game which is what you need to do against these big teams.

“We've been a bit open so having Brownie in there as an extra (midfielder) made us a bit more compact.

“I thought he was excellent and Woodsy up there on his own was magnificent.

“Vyds is unlucky (to be left out) but that's what you have to do when you come to these big teams. You have to adapt to them, and it nearly paid off.”