THAT’S WHAT I’M HERE TO DO SAYS TRAFFORD

Goalkeeper reflects on remarkable performance at Brighton

James Trafford made numerous magical saves in the latter stages of Burnley’s draw with Brighton but the shot-stopper insists the most important takeaway from the game was that the Clarets left the south coast with a ‘hard-earned point’.

Wilson Odobert fired home the opener in the first half before a Simon Adingra equaliser pulled the scores level at the Amex, with Trafford then playing a huge role to keep the scores level in the final stages of the contest.

Speaking post-match, the goalkeeper admits although there is initial disappointment to have not hold on and win, Trafford was ‘more than happy’ to come away with a point and states ‘that’s what he’s here to do’ following his heroics against Roberto De Zerbi’s men.

“It’s definitely a hard-earned point. Coming to Brighton not many teams come here and get results and I felt in the first half we gave it a real good go.

“We played out quite a lot and then we got the goal through Wilson and that was the game plan to get a goal then managed the game.

“I knew we didn’t have as much of the ball today as maybe the last couple of games but the game plan was to just stay compact and stay in the game.

“We are slightly disappointed we didn’t get all three points in the end and hold on to a win but yeah, we were more than happy to come home with a point.” 

Following a terrific performance from the Burnley No.1 to keep out Brighton’s oncoming attacks, Trafford says he can’t quite remember every save he made but the main aim was to just keep the ball out the net whatever the save.

“To be honest, I can’t quite remember all of them. There was one at the end when it fell down to him and I just reacted well to save it.

“I just tried to save all the shots. I don’t go into the game with a individual game plan as such to try save them, I just try stop anything that comes my way. That’s what I’m here to do!

“Obviously quite disappointed to concede the one that went in but you just have to dust yourself down and go again and get something from the game which is what we did.”

Odobert returned to the starting line-up for the first time since October and marked it with a sweet strike against the Seagulls, Trafford had high praise for the teenager: “He was brilliant today. He’s had to be patient because Luca (Koleosho) has done so well recently.

“But with Luca’s injury, Wilson came in today and he did really well. I think he’s only 18 and he’s a top talent and he’s only going to get better and better.”