KOMPANY ACKNOWLEDGES IMPORTANCE OF CLAIMING HOME WIN

Burnley chief looks ahead to Saturday’s visit of West Ham

Clarets boss Vincent Kompany says ‘a win would be massive’ this weekend against West Ham United, not just for himself and the team but for the supporters and town of Burnley.

Burnley host David Moyes’ side at Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon and as the Clarets aim for a first three points of the season at home, Kompany acknowledges what it would mean to take all three points this weekend.

Speaking to the media on Thursday afternoon, Kompany said: “For the fans and for the surrounding of the club and the town, I can absolutely imagine a win would be massive and would mean so much.

“But I also 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 this weekend, 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.”

On the importance of winning on Saturday, Kompany explained: “I’d hope being desperate to win is something you always have. I don’t feel you can ever go into a game not being fully committed to winning games.

“I’d like to think that does really live in this club, but the league has been tough for us. It’s not been easy whether we’ve played well or whether we’ve played against teams that are stronger than us.

“It’s always been a case of adapting to this level still, but I’ve seen signs where I’d like to think the team is really looking forward to the games that we have ahead.

“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.”

This weekend’s opponents currently sit ninth in the Premier League table and Kompany had high praise for the Hammers and knows him & his side will be in for a challenging afternoon in Lancashire.

“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. I really like the squad they have to be honest.

“There’s pure individual quality that you have to respect in this league. But that’s the goal for us, to show the ability to be amongst this.

“Obviously they’ve got Antonio who is not available and a few other niggles, but if you look at the midfield with Alvarez, Paqueta on the ball and his quality to pick passes and be a threat, Kudus is a player I’ve known for a long time, it’s just an exciting squad purely from a neutral perspective.

“From a coaching perspective it’s like every game, you do see opportunities for your team to make a game out of it and get a result and that’s what it’s about.”