Mike Jackson press conference: Interim boss on Burnley's next steps and Aston Villa

There’s very little on the line for the already-relegated Clarets, who now have just three games remaining before the season is up.

Jackson kicked off his second caretaker spell at the club with a 3-1 defeat to Leeds United last week, with the game coming just a day after Scott Parker’s departure.

While there’s very little to play for on the pitch, there’s plenty to discuss off it as the club’s hierarchy begin their search for Parker’s successor.

There are also major decisions to be made on player contracts and this summer’s recruitment ahead of the club’s return to the Championship.

Leading into Sunday’s encounter against Villa at Turf Moor, Jackson was asked about the reaction to Parker’s departure, what his focus has been this week and what sort of talks he’s had with chairman Alan Pace.

Here’s a selection of what he had to say:

Tough week

“Obviously it's been a bit emotional at the start of the week, but we just have to get on with it. We have to be professional, respect the competition that we're in and find a way of getting the lads going and get some energy around the place.

“It's been alright, it's been a good week.”

What’s been your role this week? Have you or the players had a talk?

“A bit of both really. We had a conversation a couple of days ago now, a team meeting, and then Josh Cullen then spoke to the group separately.

“And I think that went quite well, just what we need to do for these remaining games of the season, how we represent the club, the fans and ultimately themselves as well.”

How important to give your best for final three games

“Yes, definitely. I know it's a difficult situation, but in the grand scheme of things of what we do for a living, in terms of we're privileged, we play football, we're in a great industry in terms of that. It's been tough and there's a lot of things out there a lot tougher than this.

“So for us this week, it's just about reconnecting, get some energy back in, get some identity back in and start working hard again.”

Team news

“The long term ones, Enock [Agyei], Josh Cullen's come along really well.

“Connor Roberts will be in an Under-21s game this week. Apart from that, everybody's fit and available.”

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Back at Turf Moor

“Let's be honest, we haven't been good enough at home this season. I think the fans deserve more from us, but we really need them and we owe them in a way.

“So it's for us at home to try and create some intensity, try and create some being on the front foot and try and make a game of it.

“That's the biggest thing for us now, is to finish the season in a positive way.”

Having buy in from the fans

“It's huge. I think unless you've actually played as well, which I have, for other people, I don't think they realise how much you can actually help the players and affect the players.

“But on the other hand, you have to give them something as well to respond to, to react to.

“So for me, it goes hand in hand. It's not one or the other and I think that's something that we've not given them enough of this year and there's a lot of disappointment. I totally get that. I totally understand it.

“And for what's happened, we take responsibility for that and the players know that. We don't want any blame. We don't want any excuses. We don't want anyone to feel sorry for us. It's not about that.

“It's about us now trying to reconnect with the fans, reset and start looking towards the future a little bit as well.

“But we have to respect this competition that we're in. There's some big prizes still up for grabs for teams that we're playing and that'll be our full focus now.”

Players and staff thinking they could have done more

“Yeah, definitely.

“I think even myself. But I think when you're a player, a lot of the time you're not really in that mindset a lot. But you should be.

“In terms of a coach, you're always there. That's every day in terms of your training sessions. “Have they done well? Have you coached the players properly? Have you repaired them properly? Could you have done any more? You go back through it.

“It's just part of what you do. You just live it and that's something that constantly that you keep doing.

“You reflect on, you try and refine it and get better.”

Caretaker role, tempted to change things

“People say: ‘well, it hasn't worked and this doesn't work’, but I don't think it's that.

“I think you just have to try and look at what the situation is now and sometimes you just have to try and flip something in terms of trying to create a new energy, a new spark.

“It could be little things that you do in training. It could be the things that you do in your preparation, which just might make the players feel a little bit different rather than it being the same thing they've been in and they've been in this fight for that long. So that has definitely been on my mind.

“So it's just more little tweaks around the place more than anything revolutionary, really.”

Any indication of what happens next?

“No. I spoke to the chairman around when Scott left. That's the only conversation I've had with him at this moment in time.

“He's been away at this moment, so nothing. It's too soon to be.

“Obviously, the club will be looking now, they do their due diligence. They look at what they need to move forward and that will be going on in the background, but it's nothing to do with me.”

Aston Villa

“I think after the result last night, that will bring a bit of confidence back into the team. think they're a very good team, very well coached.

“They look like they've improved year on year and I like watching them play as well. I watch a lot of games and I think they've got a good style of play, very clear what they do.

“So all credit to them. The result last night was really good.”

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