Hard work has just started, says Burnley boss

10:39am Thursday 17th July 2008

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BURNLEY return from a physically exhausting trip to Amercia today with manager Owen Coyle warning: The hard work has only just begun.

The Clarets squad trained twice a day in temperatures approaching 100-degrees in both Carolina and Minnesota.

Some players lost up to a stone in weight during the game against the RailHawks.

But Coyle’s priority is to get his players fighting fit for the opening day clash against Sheffield Wednesday, and will take his squad straight to Scotland for another mini-tour, starting against Queen of the South on Saturday.

Coyle said: “As their manager I am absolutely delighted with the American tour and now we move on to bonny Scotland at the weekend.

“It doesn’t stop, but we knew when we set out it was going to be difficult. The aim is to get the lads ready for August 9 and that’s what we want to continue to do.”

Burnley will also play Partick Thistle on Monday, St Johnstone two days later, before heading back south of the border to face Accrington Stanley a week on Saturday.

Then they fly to Ireland to face Glentoran on the following Monday, and back to England to take on Bradford on the Wednesday.

But Coyle believes his players will take that schedule in their stride, having seen the benefits of hard work in America, culminating in the 2-0 win over Minnesota Thunder He said: “It’s been a fantastic tour and we looked a lot stronger against Minnesota and that’s the reason we are here for our development. We are starting to get peak fitness now and I thought we showed that.

“We scored two very good goals, had other chances and equally Brian Jensen made a couple of great saves too. I was delighted with what all the lads had to offer and the ones who were available all played their part.

“There was a terrific atmosphere, so much so it felt like a real league game. The results are not the be all and end all though but it’s nice that we’ve finished off with a win.

“There are so many positives to take, we had a lot of youth out on the pitch and two young players scored, plus Martin Paterson was outstanding too.

“It’s been a very worthwhile exercise and we are looking stronger in terms of fitness. We’ve made lots of new friends in Carolina and Minnesota and have forged some good relationships.

“Hopefully if we get a couple of young players on the back of that then fantastic. We have brought the name of Burnley Football Club to America now.

“We’re very pleased with that and the lads have been an absolute credit to Burnley Football Club. Everybody we have spoken to over here has nothing but praise for how the players have conducted themselves and represented the football club.”