We will grow and get better as time goes

Last updated : 08 August 2008 By Tony Scholes
Wednesday boss Brian Laws could well have been in the away team dug out tomorrow had things been different. Burnley asked for permission to speak to the ex-Claret when Steve Cotterill left but that wasn't forthcoming and instead we turned to Owen Coyle.

He said ahead of the game: "It's great to be back, absolutely brilliant. We've had a long pre-season so everyone is looking forward to it. We've talked extensively about what we want to do and how we will approach the game.

"We want three points and have a great opportunity with our first game at home, we can't ask for any more that that. It is a winnable game on what is the first time we've been at home on the first day for a good few years, so everything is set up nicely.

""It's important we get a good start to the season; it's quite a while since we had one of those. We know what's required and we are confident of making a good start. I want our fans to go home happy after what they went through last season.

"I'm confident in the players we've got. There's no doubt about it, if we stay away from significant injuries we have a decent chance of a good season. We have a quality defence, we have added new players to our midfield, where Sean McAllister is also emerging, and we have goals in us."

Owen Coyle is also ready for the new season. "We are all very excited," he said. "It's like everybody else is feeling across the country. We've worked hard in pre-season and you just look forward to the first ball rolling and getting on with the Championship which we know is a tough division.

"We all just want Saturday to come quickly. The lads have worked ever so hard and we think we have got them in a good physical condition, and touch wood they will stay injury free.

"We knew we already had a good team spirit and we have signed some new players that we have tried to integrate into the group. Hopefully that will bear fruit when the season starts.

"We're pleased with the acquisitions we have made. They have settled in well and shown the qualities which proved why we brought them to the football club in the first place. I would still like to add one or two more if possible though, so we will see if that comes to fruition."

Coyle spoke about the way he wants his side to play. "We all want to win games, but equally we want to do that with a good style of football and our new signings have been conducive to that."

And on the Championship ahead of us he added: "I've got no doubts that it will be as difficult and tight as it was last year. There are some good sides who have come down too and there will be an imbalance with the parachute payments, but we know we have good players who can win games.

"It will be ultra competitive so we just have to make sure we are at our best and do that consistently. If we do that we can win games, but we know each and every match will be tough.

"We will make no claims. All I will say is home or away we will try and win every game. We will set our stall out to be positive and pay the utmost respect to the opposition because there are some quality sides in the Championship."

Looking at his own side he said: "We know the fans are vociferous and will get behind the lads so we want to give them a team to be proud of. We have tried to lower the age level with the younger players we have brought in because we want to build a team for years to come that will serve Burnley well.

"We are not saying we will click our fingers and everything will fall into place overnight, but we think we will grow and get better as time goes."