Burnley win is a weight off Howe’s shoulders (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Burnley win is a weight off Howe’s shoulders

12:50pm Monday 17th September 2012 in Sport By Suzanne Geldard, Burnley FC reporter

EDDIE Howe admitted Burnley’s win over Peterborough United had lifted a weight off his shoulders.

The Clarets had slipped to third bottom in the Championship after a run of three straight defeats, and were feeling increasing pressure as pointless Posh took a 2-1 lead against the run of play.

But manager Howe praised his players’ response in securing a convincing 5-2 win in the end, with Charlie Austin claiming a hat-trick, while Chris McCann and Junior Stanislas book-ended the result.

“After three defeats you’re desperate for a win,” said the Burnley boss, who saw his players let an early lead slip, before beginning the recovery ahead of half time. “To do it in such a good manner as well really pleases us and in front of our fans hopefully it gives them a boost to know that hopefully we can be a decent side.

“I was really pleased with the character of the players after being 1-0 up and absolutely dominant at that stage and creating chance after chance and you think, ‘Come on, let’s get the second goal’.

“Two minutes later we’re 2-1 down. It was a crazy game, it was so open for both teams and there could have been a lot more goals than there were.

“We’ve got things to work on defensively but attacking wise I thought their goalkeeper made some great saves, we hit the crossbar and could have scored more. That really pleases me.”

The Burnley boss added: “You can go through the chances we had in the game and it would be enough to win three games probably, and that’s a really pleasing thing because when you can score goals it goes without saying you can win games.

“But it gives everyone huge confidence to know that we have players who can turn a game.

“Junior was excellent, scored a goal again which is great for him but his all-round game was really impressive so hopefully he can keep that up.

“Chris was really good, he was behind a couple of goals and scored again.”

There were question marks about the authenticity of Austin’s treble, after Posh defender Michael Bostwick bundled over the first of his three.

But Howe was adamant his top scorer warranted celebrating the second hat-trick of his career.

“I think we’ve got to try to give Charlie his hat-trick, he deserves it,” he said.

“I’ve already signed the match ball so I assume he’s staked his claim.

“He’s a player who continues to be in the right place at the right time and I’m really pleased he’s helped us to get an important win.”

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