Newcastle clash ‘holds no fear’ for Burnley FC

Burnley's Ben Mee vies for possession with Manchester City's Jesus Navas

Photographer Chris Vaughan/CameraSport

Football — Burnley's Ben Mee vies for possession with Manchester City's Jesus Navas Photographer Chris Vaughan/CameraSport Football

The Clarets go to Newcastle United on New Year’s Day ina positive mood after coming from 2-0 down to draw at the champions on Sunday.

And that result means St James Park holds no fear for Sean Dyche’s men.

Mee enjoyed a memorable afternoon at the club he captained to the FA Youth Cup in 2008, and spoke of the lift the result will give the players: “It’s going to be massive for us.

“If that doesn’t give us the belief, then nothing will.

“To have a half like that with some great goals - especially Barnesy’s equaliser - will give us a massive boost, and hopefully we can go on to give it a good go in our next game and see where that takes us.

“Another few days and we’re back at it. The belief from this will be massive for us.”

Newcastle have only lost twice at home this season, on the opening day against City, and in the Tyne-Wear derby earlier this month, but are the only side to beat Chelsea so far, winning 2-1 in front of their own supporters.

However, Burnley held the Magpies at Turf Moor at the start of the month, and Mee said: “We’ll go there without any fear.

“There’s nothing for us to be afraid of, so we’ll go there and work as hard as we have done in the last few games and hopefully we can win.”

Burnley are finding their feet in terms of results - while their performances have largely been impressive.

But their confidence is growing by the game, and Mee admitted: “We’ve grown into it as the season’s gone on, after a tough start to the season.

“Hopefully we can keep improving and I’m sure we will.

“But we’re capable of more.”

Burnley remain in the bottom three, in 19th, but in touch with their rivals at the bottom of the table, and he added: “We’d like to break clear of it but we know it’s going to be a tough battle.

“We’re more than up for it; it’s going to be exciting and we’re all looking forward to it.”

The Clarets’ support sold out at City and will enjoy a first trip to St James since 1983, as Mee praised their backing: “The fans were brilliant at City. “It was great for them to turn out in their numbers, see us perform and get a result.”