Source: Team_Talk
Caldwell hails reversal of fortunes
The Clarets face Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final on Monday as they bid to return to the top flight for the first time in 33 years.
Owen Coyle's men have won many admirers this season after dumping Fulham, Chelsea and Arsenal out of the Carling Cup and came agonisingly close to overcoming Tottenham in an epic semi-final encounter.
Yet back in August they looked more likely to spend the season fighting relegation.
Hammered 4-1 at Sheffield Wednesday on the opening day and thumped 3-0 at home by Ipswich the following week, it took Coyle's side five attempts to register their first win.
"It was obviously a very difficult start after such a good pre-season," said Caldwell, who has played in the Premier League with Newcastle, Leeds and Sunderland.
"We had a great trip to America and everything was positive, but in the first two games we had two terrible defeats and we just couldn't believe it.
"I'm sure we were all sat there individually thinking 'what is going on?'
"But we had confidence and belief in ourselves and one of the biggest compliments I can give the manager is that he never changes.
"If we are winning 10 games in a row or losing 10 games in a row, he's exactly the same.
"You never sense any kind of pressure from him."
Coyle arrived at Burnley in November 2007 from St Johnstone with ambition coursing through his veins.
He has fashioned a talented young side and Caldwell and defensive partner Clarke Carlisle have formed an impressive partnership.
Carlisle paid tribute to his captain, saying: "The skipper has been a rock, so consistent and so reliable for us this season.
"It's always good when you've got a captain and a leader like that.
"Even at 29 I'm still learning on a week-to-week basis and Steven Caldwell has taught me a lot this season."
Burnley will play their 61st game of a marathon campaign at Wembley and Carlisle is quietly confident they will emerge victorious, despite having one of the smallest squads in the division.
The Clarets will be at full-strength and Carlisle said: "The squad is not strong in numbers but it's definitely strong in quality.
"In the cup runs, we have matched some of the best Premier League teams.
"The gaffer has managed to put together a side that is more than a match for any side in this division.
"He's so positive and very encouraging. He makes the players believe that they can produce more and if someone is feeding you positives all the time you will take it on board, even at a subconscious level.
"He's so forward-thinking, full of positivity and it reflects on the squad."
