Jutkiewicz calm despite barren run

17 October 2014 15:16

Lukas Jutkiewicz is not losing sleep over his goalless start to the season for Burnley.

The 25-year-old joined the Clarets from Middlesbrough in the summer and was prolific in pre-season but has yet to find the net in eight competitive games.

Scoring has been the biggest problem for Burnley on their return to the Barclays Premier League, with only three goals in eight games and none from strikers.

Michael Kightly ended a club record run of 10 hours and 55 minutes without a goal in the 2-2 draw with Leicester that at least sent them into the international break on a positive note.

Sam Vokes and Danny Ings combined to score 47 goals as Burnley were promoted from the Championship but Vokes is still recovering from a cruciate knee ligament injury and Ings has also been sidelined by a hamstring problem.

That has left Jutkiewicz leading the line, although Ings should return for Saturday's clash with West Ham at Turf Moor.

Jutkiewicz is eager to break his duck as soon as possible, saying: "It's really important. For any striker, you want to get that first goal and I'm no different.

"No one has put any pressure on me at all, certainly not from within the club. As a player you put pressure on yourself because you want to perform, you want to help the team as best you can.

"I try not to over-think things. You obviously analyse different situations and how you can improve as a player in every aspect but, in terms of dwelling on things and losing sleep, that's not something that's been too much of a problem.

"I think I've done okay. Obviously it would have been nice to have helped us get a few more points on the board but I can't be too dissatisfied."

Manager Sean Dyche brought in Jutkiewicz and Marvin Sordell in the summer in a bid to add more of a goal threat but was unable to secure a striker with real Premier League experience.

Losing Vokes and then Ings certainly has not helped, and the Clarets boss said: "Forty-seven goals from two centre-forwards is a big hit to anyone.

"We've seen the Liverpool situation with (Luis) Suarez and (Daniel) Sturridge, it does have an effect on a team. But we still believe with the players we've got and the players we've brought in that it's a great opportunity for someone to take."

Sam Allardyce has admitted Winston Reid's contract situation is a concern for everyone at West Ham as the New Zealand defender has yet to extend his deal.

The 26-year-old was named the Hammers' player of the year last season and has developed into a highly-rated defender, reportedly drawing the interests of Barclays Premier League rivals Arsenal and Liverpool.

Having moved to Upton Park from FC Midtjylland in 2008, Reid has made 100 league appearances and has become a key member of Allardyce's backline.

His current contract expires next summer and, with Reid believed to be holding out for up to £60,000 a week, he has yet to pen an extension and will be able to enter negotiations with other clubs in the new year.

Allardyce, though, is keen to work on a resolution, saying: "It is not only a concern for me, but it is a concern for the owners.

"There's been talk about Winston and his contract for a pretty long period now which is obviously not my responsibility.

"But hopefully, sooner rather than later, that will come to a conclusion and a positive one. I can only hope that is going to be a positive result in the end."

West Ham go to Burnley having collected their first clean sheet of the season in the 2-0 win over QPR before the international break.

Reid has been an ever-present so far this season, with a number of his defensive colleagues having already been forced to sit out some games through injury and, although his future is likely to remain in some doubt in the coming weeks, Allardyce has no qualms about keeping him in the heart of his defence.

"No, not really," he replied when asked if the contract wrangles could affect Reid's performances.

"Winston's had a long-term injury last year and sometimes it can take time to get back to what he can be.

"Certainly now that the injury has fully recovered and he's back to his defensive best, which is very important for us.

"We got our first clean sheet of the season against QPR, which gave us the platform to win that game comfortably. I believe they have to go with the mentality to repeat that against Burnley."

Source: PA