Nicky Hayen ‘convinced’ he can still turn things around

Nicky Hayen is “convinced” he can turn things around at Burnley.

The Clarets boss came under intense pressure over the weekend after failing to overcome Derby County in a game he described beforehand as “must-win”.

It leaves Burnley rooted to the bottom of the Championship table, without a win to their name following their first eight games of the campaign.

The Burnley Express understands, however, that Hayen’s job is safe for now.

Speaking after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Derby, Hayen addressed his precarious position as Burnley boss.

“I can totally accept the fans’ frustration and that they're fuming and that they're disappointed also in myself, so I can accept this,” Hayen said.

“Again, and I repeat myself, you saw we were close to it [a win], but we just need that victory to change it.

“We wanted to do it before the international break, but the international break will be a good window to work on a lot of things to show a really new face after that break.”

Hayen accepts there will be question marks over his position, with the Belgian confirming he will hold talks with Alan Pace and the Burnley board following Burnley’s latest game.

But the 46, who has only been in the job for two months, believes he’s still the right man to turn things around.

“I understand and actually I cannot claim a lot from them [supporters], because if you have a start like this I totally understand that they're disappointed and even angry, because this is not what they want to see from their team, from myself and from the club,” he said.

“But I also was honest, I gave a lot of reasons, and it's easy to see from outside if you see 11 players on the pitch, you think they're ready and fresh and 100 per cent fit.

“But the reality is sometimes different and that's what I try to share with everyone. It's not an excuse, it's just reasons.

“But I don't want to repeat myself every single time, because we could win games also today, we could have won these games, and of course this is also my responsibility, I know.

“But again, I've always shown resilience and I've always been a fighter, and I was in a difficult situation before, but I came out, and I'm totally convinced if I get the chance that we can change this around.”