Edgar’s long haul doesn’t play any dividends

DAVID Edgar shook off the effects of a long-haul flight to be Burnley’s best performer against Middlesbrough.

Edgar made his first start for Canada in their World Cup qualifying victory in Puerto Rico on Tuesday.

And he was back in Burnley first thing on Thursday after a seven-hour flight.

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Eager to build on his impressive display in the win at Derby two weeks ago, Edgar was desperate to start against Boro, and he came into the press room clutching the man of the match champagne: “I’m a bit tired now.

“I got in early Thursday morning and prepared right.

“I slept Thursday afternoon and got a good sleep Thursday night and last night so I felt alright.

“As long as you prepare right and eat well. I think sleep is the main thing I guess.

“It’s five hours time difference in Puerto Rico.

“It was the travelling – a seven-hour flight after a three-hour flight to Puerto Rico.”

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But from the high of his full international debut, came the low of Burnley’s first home defeat, as he came back down to earth: “It was my first start for the national team so I was proud of that.

“We got a win and we’re one step closer to qualifying for the World Cup.

“So it was disappointing, especially after the highs of two weeks ago at Derby, to play the way we did against Boro.

“I don’t know too much about the first goal but it seems like a touch of luck for them to be honest.

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“They had a game plan that they were just going to sit back, which made it frustrating for us.

“It made it difficult and we lacked creativity and that spark to really cause them problems.

“It’s disappointing especially at home because it’s where we are quite creative.

“We knew they would come and sit back like that.

“It’s down to a disappointing performance from the team.

“Derby was an unbeat, spirited performance. Today we just weren’t at ourselves but we need to regroup and focus on Saturday.”

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Burnley had ended Derby’s 100% start, but unbeaten Middlesbrough were a different prospect.

A frustrated Edgar added: “It was the exact same team that played against Derby that went out there.

“We know we can do well, we know our jobs and everyone in the changing rooms is disappointed with the way things went.

“I nearly scored when it was 1-0, and maybe that would have changed the game a little bit if that went in, but it didn’t.”

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