Blood, sweat and tears have to pour out of you

Last updated : 17 April 2010 By Tony Scholes
The two managers have been long term friends but Bruce admitted he won't be doing his pal any favours. He said: "I've known Brian for such a long time and I was delighted for him last week [with the win at Hull].

"It couldn't have been an easy week after losing six at home to Manchester City followed by all the talk of him losing his job. We've all been in that situation.

"It won't be easy. Burnley gave some good footballers. If we don't get in there they'll take the ball, handle it well and create chances.

"But our form has been excellent at home, it's had to be. It's our penultimate game at home, so let's finish with a bang.

"We ourselves have seen how one result can make a difference. Burnley are fighting for their lives and none of these games against so-called 'lesser' teams are easy as we found out last week. They will give us a really hard game."

What a difference a week has made at Turf Moor, no doubt about that. After fending off all the talk of his potential exit, the dressing room problems and the shocking outburst from Joey Gudjonsson, life has been just a little more comfortable this week for manager and players.

"Football is about do or die. It's what it's about, it's what we live for and when the wins come they are fantastic feelings," Laws said ahead of the trip to Sunderland.

"We've had a great week this week and the lads have been fantastic. There has been a spring in our step, but more importantly the supporters are starting to believe again and think we have a fighting chance.

"That's how important Hull was, for everyone. I have certainly heard more players this week talking about one more win away and generally being more positive. That just shows you how a game can lift you. They are binding as a bunch and now we have to get out there and reproduce it."

With Burnley still in a very good position regarding the potential entry into Europe next season, Laws added: "Everyone wants to be renowned for playing good football, but being top of the Fair Play League isn't what I want.

"I don't want us to win the Fair Play League and get relegated. When you are bottom you can't be nice, and that's probably one of the reasons why we are near the top, because we are an honest bunch of lads and not the most aggressive team.

"What we showed last Saturday though was more of that, to the extent that we were even heading each other. That epitomises what we need to do.

"Blood, sweat and tears have to pour out of you and Michael Duff was determined to stay on the park and show that. We have to fight our way out of it because if you do that, football will take care of itself."

Speaking of his relationship with Sunderland boss Bruce, he said: "I know Steve very well from our days together at Wallsend Boys' Club as a 16-year-old. That's how far back we go an I remember we came down on a mini-bus from the North East, 20 of us, for a trial.

"We were here three days while they whittled it down and eventually Steve went back. They didn't pick him because of his looks!. We've gone our different ways since, but he's a good friend.

"I saw him recently and mentioned that I'd send him a bucket and spade, some sand and some flip flops to go with his beach ball, because I want him to enjoy his holiday, hopefully when we turn up this weekend.

"He is very professional though and he will still want to end the season on a high. You look at Sunderland and what a great group of players they have got. They will be disappointed with some of their results of late, but they have a guy on fire in Darren Bent who is determined to get himself into the England camp and has four games to do it.

"He has scored half of their goals and will be looking at this game to get on the score chart and we have to stop him."