STEVE Cotterill is urging his Burnley players to adopt a "winning mentality" this season.

The Clarets kicked off their First Division campaign with a hard fought draw against Sheffield United after surrendering an early lead.

The Blades made the home defence work overtime after Andy Gray struck early in the second half to cancel out Micah Hyde's debut goal.

And Cotterill hopes a steady improvement will see his side learn to go for the jugular more often as the campaign progresses.

The new Burnley boss said: "Neil Warnock's teams are built strong so it was a big test for the lads at the back.

"You would imagine Sheffield will be there or there abouts at the end of the season and they are used to winning.

"That is something we have to do - to try to get into that same mental state.

"Without the manager saying anything, they know with 20 minutes to go they have a grip of the game and their mentality forces them to go and win the game.

"I don't quite think we have that mentality at the moment to push teams over the edge when we have them by the throat.

"But it was a new manager, new expectations and you are ripe for a kicking in those circumstances, so there are plenty of positives I can take out of the game."

Cotterill, who received terrific backing from a bumper opening day crowd of 16,956, added: "I don't think I would have settled for a point before the game. You like to win in front of your home crowd and obviously you prepare your team to go out there and try to win.

"But there you go. The way Sheffield United played and how the game panned out, we have to be happy with a point.

"The fans were terrific and it's just a pity we didn't give them a little bit more to shout about. But hopefully as time goes on we can."

Neil Warnock had no regrets after summer target Micah Hyde came back to haunt him with a debut goal.

Former Watford midfielder Hyde was training with Sheffield United last month when Steve Cotterill swooped to lure him to Turf Moor on a three-year deal instead.

But Blades boss Warnock insisted: "We couldn't afford to give Micah the contract he got at Burnley. I read in the matchday programme how they (Burnley) wished Steve had got half of my wage bill. Well theirs is bigger than mine and Micah has got himself a good contract, so good luck to him."

Warnock rubbed salt in Burnley's own wounds by revealing that secret weapon Leigh Bromby, who set up United's equaliser with an amazing long throw, only made the starting line-up at the 11th hour.

Cotterill's Clarets now head to South Yorkshire tomorrow night to face Rotherham United (7.45pm).

Burnley have one injury doubt - who Cotterill is keeping under wraps - and he is rated just 50-50 for the game.

First team coach Mark Yates has been handed a squad number by Burnley. Yates, who doubles up as the Clarets reserve team manager, will wear number 23.