ANGRY Adrian Heath has warned his Burnley squad that they are playing for their Turf Moor futures.

The furious Burnley chief accused his team of "diabolical defending" following last night's 3-1 reverse at Crewe Alexandra.

He rapped: "Our defending in the second half was just not acceptable.

"Maybe now is the time for change. I think everybody has had a fair crack at the whip.

"They know in no uncertain terms what my feelings are about this situation.

"One or two might be lucky, mainly due to the fact that we are down to the bare bones and can't change it too much for Oxford on Saturday.

"But one or two will understand that it is time to move on.

"Players have had their chance to show me what they can do. Now, I've got until a week tomorrow to bring one or two fresh faces in.

"If that's the case, and those players are available, then the fans can rest assured that is exactly what will happen."

Heath saw the Clarets concede three goals for the second consecutive away fixture.

The defeat all but extinguishes any lingering hopes of a play-off berth for Burnley.

It leaves the Clarets in a poor 17th position - 14 points adrift of the play-off frame and, worryingly, just seven points above the drop zone.

Heath added: "If we continue to concede three goals we won't win many games. You don't win many games 4-3, do you?

"I thought the defending was diabolical. The goals were very poor ones to concede. That was the disappointing aspect.

"When we had the ball we didn't look too bad. There were also one or two good individual performances.

"But it is hard for me to pick out positive points about conceding three goals. It was bad errors of judgement which led to the goals.

"But, as I said to the players afterwards, we can all play. But defending off the ball is just as important as it is when you have possession. The players have got to realise that."

Heath is closing in on at least one target - believed to be a defender. And he could have a new face in the squad for the weekend trip to Oxford United - impressive 3-0 winners over Swindon Town last night.

Heath added: "The idea is to have a new player on the books for Friday.

"If that's the case we'll probably be all the better off for it on the evidence of our defending last night."

On the Johnny Morrissey interest, Heath explained: "We tried to take him on loan. But Tranmere are keen on a permanent deal.

"There won't be anything happening while we are in that situation."

Burnley Reserves are in Pontins League action against Leicester City at Turf Moor tonight (7.15pm).

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