24 November 2023 , 10:34
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Burnley boss Vincent Kompany insists his struggling Premier League side are not in 'must-win' territory just yet.
The Clarets romped to the Championship title last season, but ahead of this weekend's meeting with West Ham have struggled badly back in the top flight. They've lost 10 of their 12 games, won only once and, despite many pundits tipping them for a mid-table finish, they're bottom of the table with only four points.
The Hammers visit Turf Moor with Burnley having lost all six home games so far and fans are desperate for something to cheer.
“For the fans and for the surrounding of the club, I can absolutely imagine a win would be massive and would mean so much,” Kompany said. “But I can’t be here and preach when we lose that we stay calm and we don’t get too emotional but then when we win it’s a carnival. I’ve got the same approach.
“If we win, it will be like any game, there will be things you’ve done well and things you need to improve upon. If you lose it’s the same approach.
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“The main thing is to have that belief. If you go through your career or life as a professional athlete and you depend on confidence you’re fooling yourself and you’ll never achieve anything. You have to build your own confidence through the right habits and the right behaviour at work and that will remain at the forefront whatever the result.”
Kompany said his experience in the game and his long period of success as Manchester City’s captain had taught him there was little value in talking about the importance of winning if there was nothing to back it up.
It's been a tough season for the Burnley boss, Vincent Kompany, so far (Getty Images)“What I’ve always said is that it’s one thing speaking about winning, you can go out and say we have to win but what does it mean?” he said. “What’s being a winner if not a willingness to sacrifice, to put in the work, to have consistency in good times and bad.
“That’s a winner. I don’t jump on the bandwagon because I think that makes me a winner. My whole career, my whole life I’ve only been a winner for one reason and that’s how I conduct myself throughout the whole week and then how I cross that line whether as a manager or a player to go and attack the game. That has to live within the team.”
Burnley are set to play two home games back-to-back, with Sheffield United visiting next weekend also. Despite Turf Moor offering no comfort this season, these matches are seen as key chances to gain points. If they fail, both Burnley and Kompany will face increasing pressure. However, Kompany is unfazed: "I'm a fairly good person to deal with pressure."
Saturday's rivals have had a mixed season, with David Moyes' team showing strong early form but then losing four league games in a row before their recent win over Nottingham Forest.
"We know West Ham are such a strong opponent, you just have to look at the players they've got and the investments they've had in certain positions," Kompany added. "I really like the squad they have, to be honest."
"OK, no game is going to be easy but it's still the same mission to pick up three points."
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