Burnley boss Vincent Kompany says there are still “little cracks” in his side – but insists it is “part and parcel” for any new team.
The Clarets have conceded from crosses in the final stages of their recent 1-1 draws against Cardiff and Stoke.
Kompany admits it is an area they need to improve, particularly in a “league of crosses” like the Championship.
But the Burnley chief is not concerned and remains focused on the bigger picture as his new team continues to gel.
“We look at it and we definitely go and speak to the players about what we think should happen in these situations,” he told The Lancashire Telegraph.
“But it is a league of crosses. It is a league of balls down the channel, a league of set-pieces.
“Are we shipping goals? No, we are not. Definitely not. We are among the highest scoring teams in the league but I think we can score more. I think that one goes with the other.
“At the moment, with this team being a very young squad as in not being together for a long time, there are always going to be little cracks here and there where you need a little bit of time to work on those.
“That is where we are at the moment. We create chances and don’t really punish teams.
“It doesn’t take a lot at the moment for us to get punished and those cracks – it is part and parcel for a team growing together.”
Welsh international Connor Roberts managed to get on the scoresheet against Stoke, beating Josef Bursik with a clinical strike after combining with Josh Brownhill.
Kompany wants to see every player contribute when building attacks and insists it is “a collective responsibility” throughout the squad.
He added: “It is not just the full-backs, I think it is every player. It is no secret I do expect every player to have the ability to progress the ball.
“It is not just about keeping the ball. It is just as much about progressing the ball and making runs to progress through the pitch.
“It was Connor this time but Jordan [Beyer] did it as well, Taylor [Harwood-Bellis] did it. We have had the same from Ian [Maatsen], Vitinho and Chaz [Charlie Taylor].
“It is really a collective responsibility to progress the ball.”
Burnley are back in Championship action this afternoon with a trip to Coventry City, who currently sit at the foot of the table, albeit with several games in hand over the teams above them.
The Clarets will enter many games as favourites this season – something Kompany is certainly used to following a trophy-laden spell at Manchester City as a player.
When asked how he deals with expectancy, the Burnley boss said: “By just not thinking about it.
“It is something you can get used to so eventually it does become something just in the background rather than at the top of your mind.
“Keeping your standards high constantly - that is what we are trying to do, at least in the mindset.
“And then the performances of course, usually something that follows. But it is football so there is still an element that you can’t predict.”
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