Source: Team_Talk
Laws to make 'brutal decisions'
Having only been appointed as Owen Coyle's successor on Thursday, the first 48 hours of Laws' reign were spent getting to know his new charges ahead of their 3-0 defeat at Manchester United.[LNB]Now he knows something about the ability and character of the players at his disposal, Laws will piece together the strengths he feels are missing.[LNB]But as time is not on his side, the former Sheffield Wednesday chief admits there will be no room for pleasantries.[LNB]"The first thing I have to do is assess the squad," he said.[LNB]"It is a clean slate for everyone but I am going to be making some brutal decisions because I don't have time.[LNB]"There is no better way of assessing your players than facing Manchester United but I already know we need to strengthen.[LNB]"You have to do business in the transfer market because when that window shuts, there is no turning back. And I don't want any regrets."[LNB]The first task is to secure David Nugent on a permanent deal.[LNB]Given Portsmouth's financial plight that would seem to be a fairly straightforward task and Laws is hoping an agreement can be reached in the next 48 hours.[LNB]However, Nugent's confidence has started to soar at Turf Moor and there could well be opposition from other, more wealthy, suitors who need someone able to find the net.[LNB]If Nugent had been able to find the net when he was put clean through by the outstanding Chris Eagles, Burnley might well have recorded their first Old Trafford victory since 1962.[LNB]Instead, the one-time England forward saw his effort roll wide, leaving the Clarets to suffer their 10th defeat in 11 top-flight away games that have yielded just a single point.[LNB]It is a record that must change if Burnley are to preserve the Premier League status that is Owen Coyle's impressive legacy, no matter how indignant the club is about his switch to Bolton.[LNB]"We didn't have any fear, which was really heartening to see," said Laws.[LNB]"But what is evident is that we are a little bit gung-ho.[LNB]"We overload when we are attacking and that leaves us vulnerable when we don't finish the move off. You are under the cosh from that moment.[LNB]"I wouldn't like to curb the enthusiasm but there is a little bit of work to be done there because there is a time and a place for such tactics.[LNB]"Away from home maybe you have to be a little bit more patient."[LNB][LNB] Barclays Premier League Relegation 2009/2010. Click here to bet.
