WE MUST GO AGAIN SAYS KOMPANY

Clarets boss reflects on Hammers defeat at Turf Moor

Manager Vincent Kompany admitted although this afternoon’s defeat was a ‘tough one to take’ the Clarets boss had plenty of praise and insists his side must go again following an ‘outstanding’ performance against West Ham.

Burnley were leading through Jay Rodriguez’s second half penalty following an impressive display from the hosts but goals from Divin Mubama and Tomas Soucek late on completed the turnaround for the visitors in what Kompany described as cruel.

Speaking post-match at Turf Moor, Kompany applauded the performance and says his side must take the learnings from it: “It’s a really tough one to take, but it is what makes this game beautiful. It was a very fine margin that’s cost us in the end.

“Looking at the game and the performance from the team was outstanding, on and off the ball it was disciplined, mature and organised.

“There’s nothing more cruel than a game like today, but I would be a hypocrite if i started laying into the team after that.

“We showed all the standards and habits that we have and work on everyday. We were outstanding and it is a painful one for us to take, but we have to go again now.

“It’s tough yes, but you know how I function and in these moments you have to take them and use them as an opportunity to look back and see what could have been done.”

Kompany added: “It’s not supposed to be easy at this level and I’ve been through this in my career and the hard way is the way you can make your change & learn from.

“The team have to now get back up and go again. They have to believe in that themselves and the belief is key going forward.

“I’m always big on saying that you don’t wait for confidence to come. On Monday we have to go again and build towards the game next weekend.”

The Clarets take on Sheffield United next weekend at Turf Moor and Kompany says his side must use this weekend’s defeat in their favour ahead of the clash with the Blades.

“We create confidence from building habits and standards through the week then performances and results will come naturally.

“It makes it even more tough, because they (Burnley) were terrific today and they deserved it but it’s football and they must take the positives from it and use it this week.”