Jones backs strikers to add competition

Midfielder David Jones feels the contributions of Sam Vokes and Marvin Sordell in Burnley’s FA Cup third round replay defeat to Spurs will prove hugely beneficial to the squad.
Strikers backed: Midfielder David Jones believes the Clarets hit men will deliver the goodsStrikers backed: Midfielder David Jones believes the Clarets hit men will deliver the goods
Strikers backed: Midfielder David Jones believes the Clarets hit men will deliver the goods

Sordell, who hadn’t scored since netting for Charlton Athletic against Blackburn Rovers almost nine months ago, opened his account for the club when beating Michel Vorm with a sweet strike in the third minute at White Hart Lane.

The 23-year-old, who hit double figures for Watford under the guidance of Sean Dyche during the 2011/12 campaign, made only his fourth start this term but Jones believes his performance will add to competition among the striker’s union.

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“Marv took his goal really well and Ross is a good striker of the ball from free-kicks,” said Jones, following the 4-2 defeat. “It was nice for them to get goals and hopefully then can take that confidence in to league games.

“He’s a big threat. He’s a strong lad and a nightmare for defenders. You don’t want to play against a lad who is strong and quick. As he showed tonight he can strike the ball really well.

“It’s difficult to show your best form when you’re not getting a run of games but we’ve got good strikers throughout the squad. I’m sure he’ll be used at some point because he’s a valuable member of the team.”

The tie also provided the opportunity for Dyche to give Vokes his first 90 minutes for the Clarets since his return from injury. Last season’s 22-goal marksman hadn’t completed the duration of a competitive fixture since March where he scored from the spot in a 2-0 win over Doncaster Rovers at Turf Moor.

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“We want all our strikers firing,” Jones said. “It was good for Vokesy to get 90 minutes under his belt tonight as well and hopefully he can add to that competition for places. I’m sure he will because he’s a goalscorer like he showed last year and that’s what we need.”

Ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Alan Pardew’s Crystal Palace on home soil, Jones insists the squad won’t be too downbeat about their cup exit despite surrendering a two-goal lead.

“It won’t affect our confidence,” he said. “It was a cup game and there were a few changes tonight. We’ve got a good squad and we’re always competitive. We started really well so with the way we’ve been playing and going about our business we should still be confident.

“They’re big games against the teams in and around us. We’ll just approach it as we did the previous week and hope for a high energy performance at home with the crowd behind us. We’ll just give our all as normal and see where that takes us at the end of it.”

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Jones added: “After Christmas you start coming in to the business end of the season where it’s harder to recover from a bad run of results. Since the start of the season we’ve just approached each game in the same manner and that’s what we’ll continue to do.

“The philosophy of the club is to go as hard as you can each game and see where you are at the end of it. We’ll be fit, recovered and raring to go.”