fears for
Hammers
clash
Cotterill
looking to
crash party
LET'S CRASH
THE PARTY!
Cotterill bid to silence Hammers crowd
GROIN INJURY: But Richard Chaplow should be fit to face the Hammers
STEVE Cotterill insists his side will need cool heads to become party-poopers at West Ham tomorrow.
The unbeaten Clarets face their biggest test of the season so far at Upton Park, where a partisan 25,000 crowd will demand a third successive victory.
And Cotterill fears the "occasion" could get to his players if they are not at the peak of their powers.
"West Ham are a big club with a big tradition and they'll have a big crowd there," said the Clarets chief.
"It's up to us to go and make sure that our eleven are up and ready for the game. We've got to make sure it's not an occasion.
"It's another league game and we have a job to do, so we don't want to get involved in any sort of party atmosphere.
"We've just got to make sure we concentrate on our own game and do what we have to.
"If we can do that as well as we have been doing, all other events are really none of our business."
Cotterill is confident that Richard Chaplow will overcome a groin injury to allow the Clarets to remain unchanged
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for the sixth successive game this season.
And he is hoping fellow midfielder Micah Hyde will be back to his best after suffering in recent games following a tiring jaunt to Jamaica on international duty.
"I thought Micah looked tired and leggy at Bury," he explained. "The pitch was very heavy and I think the journey to and from Jamaica finally caught up with him.
"But we have a big game at the weekend and we need Micah back at his combative best."
Meanwhile, skipper Robbie Blake insists the Clarets can head to Upton Park without any fear.
Only a late Don Hutchison goal denied Burnley a stunning win there last season in a thrilling 2-2 draw.
Blake said: "It was a fantastic result and we were unlucky not to come away with all three points because of their late equaliser, so we don't go there with any fear.
"We just have to go there, play our own game and apply ourselves right and I'm sure we'll be fine.
"In all the games so far, we have looked comfortable and the pressure is on West Ham to come out and attack us.
"If we can nick a goal, we have shown we look solid defensively so it's a good blend at the moment."
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