Exit claims will drive me to succeed, says Burnley boss

10:01am Thursday 18th March 2010

Exclusive By Suzanne Geldard

BRIAN Laws refuses to be fazed by false speculation about his future as Burnley boss, insisting it has served to enforce his determination to keep the Clarets’ Premier League dream alive.

Yesterday’s Sun newspaper claimed Laws was on borrowed time just 10 Premier League games and two months into his two-and-a-half year contract.

Burnley chairman Barry Kilby slammed the story as “a ludicrous, irresponsible, damaging and inaccurate piece of journalism”.

But Laws admitted that, almost 800 games into his managerial career, his shoulders were broad enough to take it, and he would battle on.

“Unfortunately I can’t stop somebody saying something or doing anything,” he said.

“We’re concentrating solely on staying in the Pemier League and not allowing anything to distract us.

“I can’t get any more determined than I am now, but this kind of thing does enforce it.

In response to the report, the club issued a statement which read: “Burnley Football Club can confirm that contrary to a national media report, the club is NOT seeking a replacement for first team manager Brian Laws.

“The Sun newspaper today alleges that club chairman Mr Barry Kilby is in the process of looking for a replacement for Brian, who was only appointed manager in January 2010.

“However, Mr Barry Kilby insisted: ‘This is a ludicrous, irresponsible, damaging and inaccurate piece of journalism.

‘We are not in the process of looking for a replacement for Brian and everyone involved with Burnley Football Club is putting every ounce of effort into staying in the Premier League.’”

Burnley’s survival hopes were dented last week after a midweek draw at home to Stoke was followed up with defeat to Wolves - only their fourth loss at Turf Moor all season.

But, with eight games to go, Laws admits the setback has inspired his troops to turn their season around.

“The mood in the camp is disappointment because we know that we were good enough to win the (Wolves) game, but you can’t give any team the start that we did,” he said.

“We were stronger in the end against Stoke, and against Wolves we had 20-odd attempts at goal. We’ve got to turn that hurt around and bounce back.”

Laws added that Clarke Carlisle’s willingness to play through the pain barrier summed up the spirit in the camp.

The defender is suffering from a badly bruised and swollen toe, and has required injections in order to get through games.

“Players don’t want to miss vital games, and Clarke Carlisle epitomises that. He doen’t want to let the troops down,” said the Burnley boss.