Howe in battle to bring more reinforcements

CLARETS boss Eddie Howe’s desire to bring in new faces became more pressing on Saturday.

And he admits he may have to change focus on his targets as one saga in particular drags on.

Burnley were well beaten 2-0 by Middlesbrough at Turf Moor on Saturday as the Clarets look for their first home league win of the season – after five games without stretching to the end of last term.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Howe was down to his 16-strong match day squad, plus Alex MacDonald, against the unbeaten Teesiders, with his pursuit of loan signings proving a testing process.

Howe has long since been an admirer of Stoke City defender Ryan Shotton, and was close to bringing the 22-year-old in ahead of the transfer deadline at the end of August.

However, despite further discussions on Friday, Shotton was on the bench for Stoke in their 1-0 win at home to Liverpool on Saturday, as central defensive cover, with Jonathan Woodgate injured.

And Howe, asked whether he was still trying to bring players in, said: “I’m still trying, absolutely. I think we need to.

“But as we’ve said all along it’s proving quite difficult.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Asked if he has hit a brick wall with one target, he added: “Potentially we’re still in the hunt for a couple, but there will come a time when we’re going to have to look elsewhere.”

Howe did hand deadline capture Junior Stanislas a second half debut as substitute for Keith Treacy, and he, and fellow subs Zavon Hines and Marvin Bartley were among the only plus points on the day: “I thought probably the three positives were the three substitutes.

“I thought they all did well when they came on. Zavon especially brightened us up and showed his qualities. But it was a day where we never looked like threatening their goal too much.

“I think if we’d have got one it would have made it very interesting but a few heads dropped at 2-0 and that’s disappointing. We need to fight right to the very end in every game, because you never know what can happen.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Boro boss Tony Mowbray, meanwhile, is out to follow Burnley’s lead in their transfer dealings.

He has been impressed with their signings of Stanislas and Hines, who have upped sticks from East London to East Lancashire for the prospect of regular football.

He said: “We’re trying hard. I look at Burnley as an example.

“They’ve brought some young boys in from West Ham that aren’t kicking and stomping that they want to play every week, they’re young boys looking for an opportunity and a chance to impress.”

“I’m still trying, absolutely. I think we need to.

“But as we’ve said all along it’s proving quite difficult.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Asked if he has hit a brick wall with one target, he added: “Potentially we’re still in the hunt for a couple, but there will come a time when we’re going to have to look elsewhere.”

Howe did hand deadline capture Junior Stanislas a second half debut as substitute for Keith Treacy, and he, and fellow subs Zavon Hines and Marvin Bartley were among the only plus points on the day: “I thought probably the three positives were the three substitutes.

“I thought they all did well when they came on. Zavon especially brightened us up and showed his qualities. But it was a day where we never looked like threatening their goal too much.

“I think if we’d have got one it would have made it very interesting but a few heads dropped at 2-0 and that’s disappointing. We need to fight right to the very end in every game, because you never know what can happen.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Boro boss Tony Mowbray, meanwhile, is out to follow Burnley’s lead in their transfer dealings.

He has been impressed with their signings of Stanislas and Hines, who have upped sticks from East London to East Lancashire for the prospect of regular football.

He said: “We’re trying hard. I look at Burnley as an example.

“They’ve brought some young boys in from West Ham that aren’t kicking and stomping that they want to play every week, they’re young boys looking for an opportunity and a chance to impress.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

• BURNLEY Supporters’ Club: It is proposed to run aweekend trip to coincide with the game at West Ham on December 3rd, depart Turf Moor at 1 p.m. on Friday, December 2nd, staying at the Ramada Hotel in the Docklands.

Cost is £160 per person, including bed and breakfast, with a £50 single room supplement.

For more details, contact Joyce and Stefan Haluk (421234/07910549633).

A £50 deposit is required on booking.

Peterborough: Depart Colne bus station 9-30 a.m., Nelson bus station 9-40 a.m., Queensgate 9-50 a.m., Turf Moor 10 a.m., Tim Bobbin 10-10 a.m., Rawtenstall 10-30 a.m.

{http://bit.ly/qEHt0E,» FOLLOW CHRIS BODEN ON TWITTER}

{http://bit.ly/ouZYhY,» FOLLOW THE BURNLEY EXPRESS ON FACEBOOK}