Burnley transfer news: Clarets ‘persist’ with midfielder chase, Tottenham ‘on alert’ over out-of-contract talent
Jack Cork knows Burnley would have been staring relegation square in the face had they not benefited from the new manager ‘bounce’ under Mike Jackson.
The Clarets suffered their first setback of the post Sean Dyche era on Saturday at the hands of Aston Villa, but had previously amassed 10 points from four games to climb out of the bottom three.
Burnley are still outside the relegation zone with three games of the season remaining courtesy of a far superior goal difference to Leeds United, who were beaten at the hands of Arsenal at the Emirates.
“We’re in a great position compared to where we were a few weeks ago,” said the midfielder. “If we hadn’t got those wins, we’d be miles off it, we would have been so far off it.
“We’ve got games to play, and, yeah, we’re optimistic, we’re really hopeful we can finish the season well.
“We don’t want to waste that bit of momentum we had and take it into the next games.”
Jackson, who was nominated for the Barclays Premier League Manager of the Month award, will oversee another tricky assignment on Sunday as his side travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The squad will find out on Wednesday evening whether they’ll be heading down to North London still out of the danger zone with the Whites playing host to Chelsea at Elland Road.
Regardless of the outcome, however, Cork insists that they can’t rely on any favours and will instead have to look after themselves.
The 32-year-old said: “It’s tough not to watch their games and keep an eye on it, but if we don’t get the points, we go down, it’s as simple as that.
“It’s ultimately down to us whether we stay up or go down and we’ve got to get the points.”
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“We’re in a great position compared to where we were a few weeks ago,” said the midfielder. “If we hadn’t got those wins, we’d be miles off it, we would have been so far off it.
5. SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: Dan Neil of Sunderland reacts during the Sky Bet League One match between Sunderland and Lincoln City at Stadium of Light on January 11, 2022 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Burnley have continued to persist with an approach for Sunderland’s 20-year-old midfielder Dan Neil. (The Sun)
6. Leeds in strong position for Johnson swoop
Leeds United will be in a ‘great position’ to sign Nottingham Forest talent Brennan Johnson if they can avoid relegation this season. (Dean Jones)
7. Hammers lead Nketiah race
West Ham are in pole position to sign Eddie Nketiah on a free transfer this summer if Arsenal cannot convince the in-form striker to commit to a new contract. Crystal Palace and Brighton have also been linked with the forward. (Daily Mail)
8. Leeds chasing Traore
Wolves are not expecting Barcelona to sign Adama Traore permanently, with Leeds United and Tottenham now chasing his signature. (TEAMtalk)