'Definitely': Scott Parker discusses Burnley's shifting focus amid inevitable relegation
With relegation almost an inevitability, Burnley will begin to turn one eye to next season.
That was the concession of Clarets boss Scott Parker on Saturday following his side’s 2-0 home defeat to Brighton.
Now 12 points adrift of safety with only six games remaining, it’s only a matter of time until Burnley’s fate is sealed.
As a result, Parker may look to start planning ahead for the Championship when it comes to his team selections – perhaps opting to leave out players that are unlikely to be with the club next season.
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“Yeah, I think there's definitely those conversations to be had and that longer planning ahead,” he said.
"So I think just in the raw emotion of this game, obviously it was one we came in today wanting to win and tried everything we could to win.
“We've fallen short, like we have at times, many times this year. But we'll have those conversations in the coming weeks.”
Burnley’s relegation, which would be a third straight demotion from the top flight, can’t be confirmed next weekend when Parker’s men make the trip to Nottingham Forest.
But it could be confirmed as early as next week, when they face Manchester City at home in their rearranged clash.
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