Clarets won’t go away - Michael Duff

Clarets defender Michael Duff has warned Burnley’s relegation rivals: “We’re not going away”.
Michael Duff feels Burnley have given themselves a chance of survival in the Premier LeagueMichael Duff feels Burnley have given themselves a chance of survival in the Premier League
Michael Duff feels Burnley have given themselves a chance of survival in the Premier League

Burnley are one point from safety with eight games remaining, having been written off as soon as they were promoted, and again after failing to win any of their first 10 Premier League games.

But Sean Dyche’s men have started to turn the tide of opinion, with many pundits now suggesting they can pull off the impossible and beat the drop.

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Duff feels the players’ never-say-die attitude has given them a real chance of survival, and he said: “I think, with the make up of the side, we’re just not going to go away.

Michael Duff congratulates scorer George Boyd in the win over Man CityMichael Duff congratulates scorer George Boyd in the win over Man City
Michael Duff congratulates scorer George Boyd in the win over Man City

“We are that annoying little dog which won’t go away!

“Hopefully we can see it through, and just pop our head up when the season finishes.”

Many felt a punishing schedule of games might also finish Burnley off - their last six games have been against top eight sides, with seventh place Spurs and third place Arsenal to come.

But after drawing at leaders Chelsea and beating champions Manchester City, Duff admitted: “We are in a tough run of games, not that there are any easy games, but that’s what we wanted last year.

Duff is ready to face England's newest international Harry Kane when his Spurs side visit Turf MoorDuff is ready to face England's newest international Harry Kane when his Spurs side visit Turf Moor
Duff is ready to face England's newest international Harry Kane when his Spurs side visit Turf Moor
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“No one is moaning about it, give me an easy game in the Premier League and I’ll call you a liar.

“Ultimately we’ve given ourselves a chance with the win over Manchester City, it dragged a few in and nobody expected us to beat them.

“That is why the supporters were so good as well, because they could see, that’s what we do every week, we work hard, and the next eight games will be no different.”

Duff is the only survivor from the Clarets’ last season in the Premier League, which saw them relegated in 18th place.

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Even at 37, however - having played in the top eight levels of the English football pyramid in ascending order - he remains on a learning curve: “I’m no different to anyone else.

“It’s only my second year at this level so I’m learning as well, and it’s a tough school.

“You learn your lessons the hard way, by getting beat and it happened at Southampton last time out.

“Hopefully we take something from it, which the gaffer does.

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“We dissect games, the good bits and bad bits, and it’s all part of the learning process.

“Hopefully we can put it all towards the last eight games and hopefully stay up.”

Next up are Spurs, who Burnley face for a fourth time this season at Turf Moor on Sunday.

And Duff is ready for the challenge: “Spurs are a good team with good players.

“And in Harry Kane they have a centre forward who is on fire.

“But all the teams have good players in this league, that’s why it’s so tough.

“You just have to deal with it.”