Burnley boss looks for quick recovery from derby defeat

Sunday’s defeat to bitter rivals Blackburn Rovers led to many a headache in and around BB11 postcodes.

But you’ll never catch Coyle feeling sorry for himself, and neither does the resilient Scot expect his players to.

“When all’s said and done it was disappointing to lose, as it is with any game.

"But we have to remember the season’s not over in one game,” he declared.

“We gave ourselves a perfect start so it was hurtful that we never went on to win.

"If we’d have taken care of the ball, particularly in the first half, then we could have.

"But we never so we take our medicine and it’s important that when you come back in you work and you pick yourselves up.

“In my time here there have been ups and downs, but the bottom line is you do one of two things – you either feel sorry for yourself or you get up in the morning prepared to do something about it, and that’s the way I’ve always approached it.”

Coyle was already looking ahead to the next game less than 24 hours after Sunday’s 3-2 defeat at Ewood Park, rallying the troops ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Wigan Athletic.

“We were in the following day and we were ready to go again,” he enthused.

People often wonder who motivates the motivator, but Coyle doesn’t even have to think about his response.

“My family pick me up. That’s why it’s important that you have such a good support system in place,” he said.

“As a player you pick yourself up from your own experiences.

"I’ve never had any doubt in terms of mental strength and how to deal with things.

“I’m not saying you don’t have lows along the way, but we’re in the best game in the world and if you can’t get up in a morning, looking to enjoy it and bounce back and really get to your maximum then there’s something sadly wrong.”

Protecting a 100 per cent home record provides an added incentive, if one was even needed, as Burnley prepare to add the Latics to the four clubs who have left Turf Moor with nothing.

Chris Eagles could be in line for his first start after coming off the bench to score in stoppage time on Sunday, while fit-again winger Fernando Guerrero provides other options after coming through 90 minutes in the reserves’ win over Manchester City following a hamstring strain.

"Chris knows he’s never far from my thoughts, but there are a host of players knocking on the door - Kevin McDonald, Chris Eagles, Fernando Guerrero, Joey Gudjonsson.

"They’re all big, big players for us.

"But that's the beauty of football. You have a competitive squad and we'll pick the best team accordingly,” said Coyle.

"Fernando played in the reserves during the week, he's back fit.

"He's trained during the week as well, which is great because he's another exciting young talent.

"How you manage to get them all in the one team we'd love to see one day.

"There's no doubt they're talented players and they've got a big part to play.”

“There were positives from Sunday, and we have to take them into the game because Wigan are a good side who like to pass and move the ball.

"That's a trademark of Roberto Martinez's teams and they've shown in recent weeks they've been in terrific form. Having beaten Chelsea at home, the performance last week against Manchester City proves this is a good Wigan side.”

Bar an opening day win at Aston Villa, Wigan - like Burnley - have struggled on their travels.

A 2-1 defeat at Hull in their last away game was sandwiched between a home win over Chelsea and 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the newly-named DW Stadium. But Coyle queried: "You look at the Premier League ... where are all these wonderful away records?

"They had a disappointing away result because of the performance the week before at home. I accept that. But they have terrific footballers, they have matchwinners in their team and they look to pass and move the ball, similar to ourselves in many ways.

"I think we'll see two teams being very positive and looking to try to win the game with exciting players in both teams. We have to make sure we come out on top.

“As disappointing as (Sunday) was you have to get up in a morning and realise where this football club is from where it all started for us altogether as a group; look at how far we've come and indeed how far we want to go.

"And we're the only people who can decide on that. Nobody is going to decide our fate bar ourselves, and we have to make sure every time we cross that white line we're ready to give everything we can.

"The fans we've got are unbelievable, and when Saturday comes again we're expecting it to be a full house with the place rocking and we have to make sure we give them our best.”