WORRALL PRAISES CLARETS DEFENCE AHEAD OF SUNDERLAND CLASH

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Centre-back talks defensive records & Clarets camaraderie

2025-01-15T17:51:05.589Z

WORRALL PRAISES CLARETS DEFENCE AHEAD OF SUNDERLAND CLASH

Centre-back talks defensive records & Clarets camaraderie

2025-01-15T17:51:05.589Z

Centre-back talks defensive records & Clarets camaraderie

Joe Worrall was full of praise for his centre-back teammates for their impressive defensive displays so far this campaign and says he believes a strong camaraderie between the group will only help the team continue to achieve.

Sitting down to look ahead to Friday night's meeting with Sunderland, the defender talked about his excitement at the upcoming game against the Black Cats, aiming to break records and supporting the team from the sidelines as he recovered from injury.

Following Saturday's win over Reading in the cup, how nice was it to see the young players grab that opportunity?

“Absolutely, the manager made eleven changes and a few changes on the bench as well. It was really nice to see some of the young boys who haven’t featured a lot and both of the lads who started the game. They held their own, I thought they were fantastic, I thought they showed that they are good players. They’re up with us quite often on the training pitch. I couldn’t be more pleased I thought they were professional, really mature in their performances, battled well, played how we would want them to play.”

Now attention turns back to the league as the Clarets welcome Sunderland to Turf Moor on Friday night. With both teams at the top end of the table, Worrall is excited for what he's sure will be a good clash.

“They’re in good form and so are we. They are going to be coming to our home, trying to get the win. It’s a great clash to be involved in. It’s something that we’re really looking forward to and if we can put in performances like we have the last six weeks, then things are looking good for us.

“Every game is tough though, this league is relentless, and all games and players give you different challenges to overcome. But we do a lot of work in the week with and without the ball, set pieces, looking at how other teams are going to try and combat us and how we do the same to them. These are the games you want to be involved, Friday night under the lights at Turf, it’s going to be a great fixture.

WORRALL SETS SIGHTS ON FA CUP SUCCESS - Image 2

“They’re a great team, they’re doing really, really well. The manager’s gone in there and a few of their players have been standout players in the league this season. However, we’ve been growing. I’ve had a little bit of time seeing the game slightly differently, not being involved as much as the season’s gone on, and the boys have been absolutely immense. I’ve tried to support in a different way, off the pitch, on the subs bench and in training, and to a man we’ve been amazing.”

The 28-year-old signed for the Clarets in August 2024 and two months later picked up an injury, a broken foot, against Portsmouth. How's he found the past few months?

“I’m pretty new to the Club but I feel like I’ve settled in really well. I’ve got a good affinity with the players, the staff, the fans as well. I feel like this place is my home, I really enjoy it.

“I was quite unfortunate in the Pompey game to break my foot, it was quite late on and spent 8-10 weeks recovering from that, which was a frustrating one. But since then, we’ve conceded nine goals and it’s one of those where you sit back and you look at how the boys have played, particularly Max and CJ who are in my position. Full credit to them, I don’t think I’ve seen two young lads perform at such a high level. I certainly wasn’t a high performing 21-year-old in the Championship like those two are!

“We’ve been amazing, CJ’s been top class, Max has been very, very good, to say he’s fairly new to the Club as well and speaking a different language. Then you’ve got John Egan who has featured too, he’s been around the block a bit, he won’t mind me saying! Somebody who I’ve played against a lot and is somebody who is a shoo-in if you have an injury, problem or you need to sure up the defence. We’re pretty well stocked, especially on the training pitch, we’re all working together, we’re all part of the team, it’s not individuals it’s very much we are the goalkeeper union, the centre-back union. We have meetings every day on how we go about things. I’m enjoying being part of it.”

WORRALL PRAISES CLARETS DEFENCE AHEAD OF SUNDERLAND CLASH - Image 2

The goalkeeper and centre-back union have put in impressive performances so far this campaign, with Scott Parker's side securing 17 clean sheets. With talk around if these performances continue records could be set, does this play on the defender's minds?

“You take each game as it comes but at the same time we had a look at the record. I think in the Championship it was 30 goals but in the second division, it’s 29. It’s something that we have seen, and we’ve looked at but to reach that goal you have to focus on the game that’s coming up, not in 15 games time.

“It’s the same habits during games, being solid, communicating, being fit and offering good angles for your teammates. Just that real resolute grit and determination, that’s what I think, as good as players that we are, it’s all about how big your heart is and how much you want to keep the ball out of the net.”

And at the heart of the watertight defence Worrall believes is the team's camaraderie off the pitch as well as on the pitch.

“Yes, that’s something that is apparent to how well we’re doing. We’ve been rock solid on the pitch but off the pitch we’re having a great time too. It’s enjoyable to come into training every day. The manager puts sessions on that are really productive and great. We feel really fit and ready and the numbers back that up.

“I’ve been in teams, sessions, environments, where it can be tedious and, alright you might not be performing as well as you want but, we are a high-performance team, we’re playing really, really well. And I think that’s down to the hard work that’s being done off the pitch and also the camaraderie between the group.”

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