DAVID Jones insists that Burnley are paying little attention to Dick Advocaat’s arrival at relegation rivals Sunderland – because survival is in the Clarets’ own hands.
Burnley are currently battling the Black Cats to stay in the Premier League, sitting just one place and point behind Sunderland after their shock victory over Manchester City.
The north east club quickly responded to their 4-0 home loss to Aston Villa by sacking Gus Poyet and they yesterday confirmed the appointment of the hugely experienced Advocaat as their new boss.
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The 67-year-old has managed six different national teams, including his native Netherlands, and has also enjoyed success in the UK with Rangers.
But Jones says that Burnley are only thinking about what they have to do, with Saturday’s trip to Southampton the first of their nine remaining matches.
“It doesn’t really concern us,” Jones said about the news from Sunderland.
“Our job is to do as well as we can and get as many points as we can for Burnley, so it doesn’t really come into our way of thinking.
“We are just concentrating on ourselves and the job we’ve got to do.
“There are still a number of teams fighting down at the bottom of the league and they’ll all be thinking the same as us, trying to just concentrate on themselves.
“We know that it’s in our hands.”
Jones says the Clarets remain buoyant after their win over reigning champions City, but stressed that the victory will count for nothing if they do not build on it in the games to come.
Burnley refused to get carried away with a number of impressive wins on the way to promotion last season, and the midfielder says the approach now is exactly the same.
The Clarets had a double training session yesterday as they ensured that they will be fully prepared for Southampton.
“Obviously everyone is delighted with the win but quickly attention starts turning to another big game on Saturday,” Jones said.
“We enjoyed it on Saturday evening but our minds are now on preparing for a big game at Southampton.
“Last season we never got carried away with anything, and we know we still have a massive job to do.
“Although it was a great win, all it is is three points and a step further to where we want to get to.
“Everyone is focused now. It gives you a lift to get a big result like we did but we have to look forward to the next nine games now because every game and every point is important.”
The Clarets have no game for two weeks after the Southampton match because of the forthcoming international fixtures, and the club look set to use the opportunity to jet out to Spain for a training break.
“I don’t know the exact details but there’s a break coming up and it will be good to do something as a squad,” Jones said.
“It will give us a boost and get us all in a good frame of mind ready to hit the last eight or nine games.”
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