DAY OF THE JACKO
Magic Mike: My sights are set on saving Burnley... not getting the manager’s job
MIKE JACKSON is focused on one job – not his, but saving Burnley.
The Clarets’ caretakerboss has banked a fine 11 points from a possible 21 since taking over from axed Sean Dyche in April.
That run hauled Burnley out of the drop zone – all they need to do now is match or better Leeds’ result today to keep their place in the Premier League.
Jackson has yet to consider whether he might want the job on a permanent basis – or go back to coach the Clarets Under-23s.
“No, I’ve not even thought about that,” he said. they and Leeds finish their “All my thoughts have been season with the same result on how we can achieve what – win, lose or draw. we want to do. We’ve not But Jackson is keen for his spoken about it, we’ve not team to keep things entirely had time to even think in their hands by simply about that. beating Newcastle at Turf
“There’s been no looking Moor this afternoon. at what I’m going to be He added: “It’s very doing next and There’s going difficult, I’ll be what’s going to to be a lot of honest. We’ll be happening, emotion around... speak about my full focus we must focus that again this has been on afternoon, how trying to achieve this. we think we can go about it.
“Fingers crossed and “But I think you just try everything goes how we and win your game. First want it to happen and we’ll and foremost, can you try have a good Monday!” and do your job?
Burnley’s superior goal “And, as it goes along, you difference would keep them might see something in up in the event that both terms of scorelines, but that’s what we’ve got to try to do.”
The passionate backing Burnley are sure to receive from their supporters could well play a key role in getting them over the line against Eddie Howe’s Toon.
However, Jackson has also talked up the importance of his players keeping cool heads across what is sure to be a stressful 90 minutes.
He continued: “You’ll see there’s going to be a lot of emotion around, but it’s just about reminding them to keep their focus on what we’re doing.
“I think that’s the best thing to do rather than start thinking about other things
and getting carried away. You’ve got to keep those intensity levels right, not too high, not too low.
“If it’s too high, you can’t play anyway – so we’ll try to get the balance right.”
And Clarets striker Ashley Barnes has claimed that some referees would love to see the club relegated due to an undeserved reputation for “playing ugly”.
Barnes said: “In recent seasons, people look at us and think we’re a hard team, being ugly. No disrespect, I think people, even referees, want us gone from the league.
“That’s an issue for us to overcome, but we’ve just got to concentrate on the game.”