Vokes wants that Bourne identity now
Owls kick off the play-offs at home
UP AND AWAY: Vokes hails winner against QPR SAM VOKES wants Burnley to copy former club Bournemouth and join the ranks of the Premier League’s overachievers.
The Clarets clinched promotion back to the top flight at the first attempt thanks to Vokes’ winner against QPR on Monday – the Wales striker’s 14th goal of the Championship campaign.
He is determined to make it more than a one-season stay as he looks forward to an unlikely reunion with the club where he started his career before leaving in 2008 when Bournemouth were heading for potential oblivion.
“When I left they had just been relegated to League Two at the time. They were in a lot of trouble financially,” said Vokes, 26.
“We’ll be going into next year looking to emulate a team like that. Bournemouth and Watford have done fantastically well.
“That’s the next objective. We didn’t do that last time, which makes this promotion special because it was heartbreaking last year when we suffered relegation. It will be a THE Championship play-offs will start with Sheffield Wednesday, after the Football League released the running order for their matches.
The Owls know they will finish sixth in the table and will host the third-placed team, which will be either Middlesbrough or Brighton, on Friday May 13, with the return leg taking place on Monday May 16.
Middlesbrough host Brighton at the Riverside on Saturday in a final-day massive task to stay up but that has to be our aim.
“We’re going into a Premier League season with a similar sort of side and I’m sure we’ll add to it in the summer and look to stay up.”
Manager Sean Dyche, who has led Burnley on a remarkable 22-game unbeaten run, will need to splash the cash in the summer with a £100 million windfall on the way.
But before that, there is the little matter of unfinished business. Burnley have a title to secure with Vokes determined to win at relegated Charlton on the final day.
Vokes missed out on clinching promotion two years ago when he was recovering from knee surgery.
He said: “The gaffer came in buzzing after the game on Monday but said, ‘Now we go and win the league’.
“We came second last time, so our goal is to win it. It was tough last time because I missed out on days like this but it’s such a great feeling to be part of that now.” shoot-out for the second automatic promotion place along with Burnley.
The other tie will be between Hull and Derby, although which way round they will finish in the table is yet to be decided.
Hull are now fourth and two points ahead of Derby and will hope to keep it that way as it would mean they have the second leg at the KC Stadium on Tuesday May 17, with the first leg scheduled to take place on Saturday May 14.