OWEN Coyle has revealed his intent to strengthen every position and make Burnley a stronger Championship force next season.

The Clarets slipped to back-to-back defeats for the second time in a month as in-form Sheffield United continued their late push for the play-offs with a 2-1 win at Turf Moor.

Andrew Cole pulled a goal back in the final 10 minutes, after Billy Sharp had added to a stunning James Beattie free kick.

Burnley carved out numerous chances throughout the game without further reward, but it was the manner of Sharp's decisive goal which most frustrated Coyle.

"The first goal, as much as we're caught on the counter-attack and the free-kick, it's a 35-yard wonder goal and sometimes you can't do anything about that. But the second goal should have been defended better," he said.

"The lad's done well down the wing but I think he got an easy cross in.

"Sharp scored when he was the only (Sheffield United) player in the box, and we had three or four bodies in there.

"I've said before, it's fine to come back behind the ball but you must pick up with a purpose, and we didn't do that.

"When all's said and done Sheffield United have been clinical.

"So at 2-0, it's not even a mountain - it's whatever's bigger than that to climb. But we carried the fight and scored a very good goal, and then Paddy Kenny had a couple of terrific saves at that point.

"Goals change games, and when you're two down you're chasing it and throwing people forward.

"I thought we certainly deserved something from the match, but we've not, and we can't be conceding two goals a game and expect to be churning out three points.

"There's not any doubt that's an area we need to work upon, but we knew that and that will be covered."

He added: "The bottom line is we impart the knowledge we've got and experience and how we want to play, and the penny's got to drop.

"If it's not then it tells you that you need somebody else that's going to come in and do that.

"We recognise that and we've said before we will bring players in to go hand in hand with the undoubted quality that we do have.

"We'll freshen up in the summer, we'll bring the right personnel in to compliment the quality we have and if we do that we'll be a force to be reckon with.

"The search has already started.

"We knew we were papering over the cracks.

"There's not been a lot of continuity in selection because of injuries and suspensions, and that doesn't help either. But we're not getting away from the fact that we know we need players to come in to enhance what we've got and we'll do that and take this club on.

"It's fair to say every area of the park needs strengthening, and whether it's one or two players for each area then time will tell.

"But there will be a few players coming in."