Jones: Panic not on the agenda
Burnley's midfielder David Jones has echoed his Dad's Army namesake Corporal Jones by insisting now is not the time for the Premier League's bottom club to panic.
Jones has been part of struggling teams before, not least as a fringe member of the Derby side that set the unwelcome record in 2007-8 of the lowest ever points total in a Premier League season - just 11.
Burnley have four points from 10 games and have played more than their fair share of the top clubs already - and Jones is adamant there is still a positive spirit and togetherness about the squad, but knows he and his fellow players must keep their heads.
The 30-year-old, a product of Manchester United's academy, said: "Definitely you can't panic. You don't play good football when you panic.
"You would probably think we would be despondent and not positive but this is a very resilient bunch of players and everyone is really positive and energetic
"Internally we have lots of confidence that we can get results and keep together as a team and build on that spirit that we showed last year and this year. We just need to turn that spirit into good football and good results.
"You've got to be relaxed and focused and have clarity of mind to be able to perform at this level and that's what we'll continue to do."
Jones claims the Clarets have not had their due reward for some of their performances but that the set-up to the Premier League means every slight error or lapse in concentration is punished.
He added: "It is hard. That's just the step up in level that we've come to. It's fine margins, little details, but at this level it all counts."
For many of the Burnley players this is their first season in the Premier League but Jones says they can be a match for any opposition - even the biggest names.
"You are up against world-class players but you don't have to be better than them all week - just better than them for 90 minutes," he said.
"You can do that even against a top player, whether it's outsmarting them, outthinking them or outrunning them."
Steven Reid is available for Burnley's match at home to Hull on Saturday after a groin problem.
Midfielder Matt Taylor is back in initial training after an Achilles operation but is not ready to return to playing while striker Sam Vokes is still working his way back from a serious knee injury.
Source: PA
