Scott Parker hopes his Burnley side can build on their positive start to the season – but is not taking Portsmouth lightly.

The Clarets have picked up 10 points from their opening five games back in the Championship, including impressive wins at Luton and Leeds.

Pompey have had a tough start to life back in the second tier and are still searching for their first victory. However, John Mousinho’s side have taken points from Middlesbrough, Leeds and Luton since the start of the campaign.

“They have had an incredibly tough start,” Parker told a press conference. “They have played some very good teams - they scored three goals at Elland Road – and had some good results, Luton as well.

“We are under no illusions about what we are going to see when the game starts at 3 o’clock. It will be a difficult fixture for us, there is no doubt about that.

“We need to go into it fully focused and understand the dynamics of it. It will be tough but I will probably say that every week because that is what this division is, there are no easy games.”

Burnley had to dig in and show resilience to secure all three points at Elland Road last time out, with James Trafford making some key saves.

Parker wants his side to play an attractive brand of football whenever possible but insists they must also be able to adapt at times.

“Football games can be won in many different ways. There is a way I want to play, you want to go and win football matches in this perfect way,” he added.

“But in certain moments, what can get you the best result and what can get you a result - that is the game we are in.

“I sit in this position where you ultimately need to try and get three points. There are different ways, of course.

“The dynamics in that moment and where you are as a squad dictates that. It was a really good performance all round in that sense.”

The Clarets chief has had another valuable week on the training pitch with his squad following a flurry of late activity in the transfer window.

“Obviously, it has been a little bit up and down and pre-season brought that in certain moments,” Parker reflected.

“I said at the outset I was looking forward to the window shutting because that drew a line under it, we are where we are now.

“Momentum is key, we have picked up some really good results and some positive performances. There is still loads of work to do and the players all understand that.

“They are a good group of boys who want to be among it, learn and listen. They understand what we need to be this season for us to be successful.”