Burnley FC loan star Duffy shakes off debut loss

Shane Duffy is determined to shake off the disappointment of defeat on his debut to push for the play-offs.

The 19-year-old Everton centre back made his league bow against Ipswich Town after signing on an initial 28-day loan.

And despite impressing, Duffy took no pleasure from the day, after a 2-1 reverse.

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The Republic of Ireland Under 21 international feels that a top six place is still within Burnley’s reach however, although they have to start winning games as soon as possible.

A third defeat in four leaves them three points adrift of Reading in sixth, with eight games to play, and Duffy said: “We have to put this behind us.

“We know there aren’t that many games left.

“We’ve got a lot coming up now so hopefully we’ll get a few wins under our belt and we’re straight back in there.

“We’ve got to start winning our own games first and then we can focus on other teams.

“We’ve got to move on and try to win the next game.”

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Duffy felt, despite a below-par team performance, Burnley didn’t deserve to lose to the Tractor Boys, who took a two-goal lead through first half goals from skipper David Norris and 18-year-old Connor Wickham, before Jay Rodriguez pulled one back with his 13th goal of the season 20 minutes from time: “We went through a little bad spell in the first half, which at the end of the day cost us the game.

“But I thought we’d started all right and didn’t deserve to lose.

“I thought we’d done enough to get something from it.

“We were on top for the whole second half, but for 15 to 20 minutes in the first half we just weren’t good enough and they punished us.

“I thought we were a better team than them but they took their chances, and Connor Wickham’s a handful.

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“We’re disappointed we lost the game when we shouldn’t have.”

Duffy had made two Europa League appearances for Everton before Saturday’s league debut, and he was happy with how he fared: “It took me a bit of time to get into it, but I thought overall I did okay and hopefully I’ve done enough to progress.

“It was a great experience for me but at the end of the day it was all about the result and we didn’t get it.

“I’m delighted to be playing, but I’d rather have the three points.”

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Selected ahead of the likes of Clarke Carlisle, Michael Duff and David Edgar, Duffy admitted it was a confidence boost to be selected by boss Eddie Howe: “I was delighted to get the nod to start.

“I’d got good centre halves ahead of me.

“It’s great confidence that the manager has in me.

“I’m just proud to play for Burnley and hopefully I can progress.”

His manager was also suitably impressed: “I thought Shane attacked the ball very well in the air.

“You can see that his game is one where he’ll give absolutely everything to the cause, so I was pleased with him.”