DEFIANT Chris Waddle came out all guns blazing today after the gloomy Coca-Cola Cup bashing at the hands of First Division Stoke City.

The Clarets were thrashed 4-0 in the first leg tie at Turf Moor and now face an almost impossible task to rescue their hopes at the Britannia Stadium in seven days time.

Waddle saw Burnley crushed by a second half blitz as Stoke scored three times - with former Blackburn Rovers striker Peter Thorne helping himself to a 62nd minute strike to add to a stunning first half goal.

Waddle said: "We have to believe that we are going to turn our poor run of results around and we will.

"I couldn't complain about our first half performance against Stoke because we took the tie to a very good First Division side and were very unlucky to go in a goal down at half-time.

"We more than held our own against Stoke in the first half. I was very encouraged by our display in the first period but unfortunately we were completely overpowered after half-time.

"Stoke were just too strong for us."

The meagre attendance of 4,175 was Burnley's smallest gate at Turf Moor for a year.

But that wasn't helped by a host of live televised fixtures - including the big Battle of Britain clash between Celtic and Liverpool - and the wet weather. Waddle added: "We are all in this together, the management, the players and the fans.

"In fact the fans were superb last night. They didn't get on our backs. They stuck with us and that is loyalty.

"I can understand the fans' frustration because we are, too, as the results have not arrived yet.

"We have problems, I admit that, but it is something we have to keep plugging away at to try and get the results.

"You can't just walk away from it. You have to face the problems full on and we will.

"We learnt a few lessons against Stoke. You do learn in this game and I'm still learning as a young manager.

"You can only do your best. At the minute things are not going for us.

"You could see the lack of confidence in the team after Stoke had scored that second goal, and you could really sense that the confidence had gone.

"As I said when I arrived I've no magic wand and I can't make players great.

"You can only help players and try to advise them on how to improve their game.

"I am encouraging players to play at Burnley and enjoy the ball."

Waddle saved special praise for Clarets man of the match Neil Moore who made his full Burnley debut at the heart of the defence.

"Neil was terrific and I was very pleased with his contribution," added Waddle.

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