Next cluster of fixtures could define Clarets’ campaign - Boyd

The 29-year-old, signed for £3m from the Tigers on transfer deadline day, has identified the clash against Steve Bruce’s side as the start of a potentially season-defining cluster of fixtures.

The Clarets winger initially moved to the KC Stadium on loan from Peterborough United in February 2013, scoring twice on his home debut in a 5-2 win over Birmingham City.

Boyd went on to make 13 appearances, netting in games against Forest and Huddersfield Town, as City were promoted to the Premier League as Championship runners up.

After signing permanently on a free transfer, Boyd recorded 28 outings in the league, three appearances in the Capital One Cup and was involved in the FA Cup run which ended in a 3-2 defeat to Arsenal after extra-time in a dramatic final at Wembley.

Boyd, who played 80 minutes of the Tigers’ Europa League play-off first leg loss to Belgian side KSC Lokeren in August, said: “Hull is massive on Saturday. Hopefully we’ll get a win there and take that ito the international break. Three of our next four are at home so they’re massive for us.

“It’ll be nice to see some familiar faces but obviously three points is the most important thing.

“I was good friends with all the lads so it’ll be good to see them.”

Boyd, who scored his first goal for the Clarets in the 3-1 defeat against West Ham last month, added: “I thoroughly enjoyed my time there.

“I had some good times - with the FA Cup and Europe - but mostly in the Premier League.

“I have some fond memories but hopefully we can win and I can put one over on them.

“The Everton and Arsenal games aren’t going to define our season.

“But the next four - against the teams around us - we’ve got to make sure we pick up some points.”

While Burnley’s run stretched to 10 games without a win in the Premier League following the 3-0 defeat to Arsene Wenger’s Gunners at the Emirates, Bruce’s men got off the mark at the second attempt last term as Robert Brady’s penalty was enough to seal victory over Norwich City.

And, after finishing that campaign in 16th, Boyd believes the Tigers have formed a suitable template for the Clarets to replicate.

“That first win will be massive,” he said.

“At Hull last season we managed to get it quickly.

“Obviously it’s taking a while this season but once we get it it’ll give everyone a lift and give us the confidence to get a little run going.

“They’re a good template with how they’ve done it after surviving the first season.

You get more money and it allows you to build the club from top to bottom.

“You can see how well they’ve built.

“This season they’ve spent about £30m so it shows if you can stay up in your first season and build that momentum then you build the whole club.”

He added: “You want to show that you belong at this level. It’s brilliant to be going up against these kind of players because they’re the best players in the world. We want to show that we can compete at this level and I think we did for large parts against Arsenal.

“The confidence is still in the dressing room because anyone who has seen us play this season knows that we can compete at this level. Hull, Villa, Newcastle at home and Stoke away are the big games for us now. Those are the games we need to win.

“Nobody else is giving us a hope in hell but the confidence in the dressing room is there. We feel we can stay up. We’re nearly there.”