|
"I thought we played well against Plymouth Argyle," he said. "We were in control of the game when it was eleven v eleven and then were in complete control when they went down to ten. Losing a man does sometimes galvanise a team and they have to change their shape, but I always felt that we had enough possession and created enough chances. We might have missed a lot of them but we could have won the game by four or five."
Looking forward to Burnley he continued: "Christmas is no different to any other spell of games we have had this season. We have played Saturday and Monday before so we are used to it. It is just another week for us. The only difference is that it comes just after Christmas Day. It is business as normal.
"Burnley are a good side who have been on a very good run. I think we are the only team to have beaten them in the last few months. They are one of the sides that are touting to make it into the top flight this year, but we have beaten them once this season and go there with no fear. I am sure that I have enough in my camp to get three points from the game."
Owen Coyle is hoping that a bumper Boxing Day crowd will create a good atmosphere in Turf Moor. He said: "We would love to have the crowd and atmosphere from the Arsenal game recreated on Boxing Day.
"It's not always going to be possible and we know how hard it is just now with the finances up and down the country. But we have a great support and we are thankful for that. Over 700 went to Bristol City and to make that journey on the Saturday before Christmas, with all the distance and finance involved, was tremendous loyalty. If people are able to turn out in numbers over the Christmas period and support us, that's absolutely brilliant.
"We are proud of the home record we have and we want to make sure that any teams that come to Turf Moor know they are in for a tough game. It's then up to us to make sure we deliver.
"We have never made any claims but if you had said to me after Ipswich at the start of the season that we would be sitting fourth in the Championship now, I would have taken it. We started the season in disappointing manner, sitting bottom with no points and a deficit of minus six goals after two games, and only having two points from four games. We remember that feeling and how horrible it was, so fair play to the lads for turning it round."
Coyle added: "Barnsley showed they were a tough side in November and we need to make sure we are at our best because what they showed against us, a month ago, is that they are capable of scoring goals.
"Equally though, we showed in that last half hour that we can get at them and hopefully create opportunities, so it should be a good game."