SAM Vokes has urged Burnley to make Turf Moor ‘a fortress’ this season - starting with Saturday’s visit of Hull City.

The Clarets already have points on the board from their home fixtures this term, having beaten Liverpool 2-0 in their last outing in front of their own fans.

They found it difficult on the road though, losing 3-0 to an in-form Chelsea before the international break, but with potential relegation rivals Hull and Watford visiting Turf Moor during September, Vokes is aware of just how important wins at home are going to be.

And he will head into Saturday’s fixture full of confidence having found the back of the net for Wales on Monday night as they opened World Cup 2018 qualifying with victory over Moldova at the Cardiff City Stadium.

“These are massive games for us,” Vokes said of the Turf tussles with the Tigers and Watford.

“Against Liverpool we showed we need to make Turf Moor a bit of as fortress for ourselves because away from home in this league it’s always going to be tough like against Chelsea.

“But when we get teams back to Turf Moor it’s important that we show what we’re about and look to pick up points.” The Clarets took 19 points from 19 games in front of their own fans in the Premier League campaign of 2014/15, winning four times.

That was the lowest return of all teams in the top flight, and although Burnley did beat champions Manchester City at home, they also dropped crucial points against fellow bottom-half sides during the season.
Improving on that record will be vital if they are to beat the odds and survive this time round.
But they’re up and running in terms of a victory at a much earlier stage of the season this time around, something that Vokes believes could be vital.
“The win against Liverpool was obviously massive for us,” said Vokes.
“Last time we were up it took us a while to get that first win, so to get that ticked off was important.
“Chelsea was tough but we’ve got some important games when we come back.”
Having enjoyed a memorable summer with Wales, Vokes was back in action for his country on Monday night and he added to his goal against Belgium with another strike - his eighth for Wales.
“It doesn’t feel like two minutes ago we were in France, but the next qualification has come round,” he said. “We have a lot of confidence from the summer.”