OWEN Coyle is urging his Burnley side to keep the home fires burning.

The Clarets have picked up 11 points from a possible 15 since defeat to Ipswich Town in the first game at Turf Moor this season, with two Carling Cup wins thrown in for good measure.

But although the crushing 3-0 loss to Jim Magilton’s men in August was an early wake-up call as far as this season goes, Coyle believes Burnley’s upturn in fortunes on home territory coincided with the turn of the year.

“There’s no doubt, when I first came in, at home, I don’t think the performances were bad, but we weren’t winning games,” he said.

“We drew a couple and lost a couple, but at the turn of the year, after we played Arsenal, we picked up at home and started to show what we’re capable of.

“This season we lost our first home game against Ipswich, but we’ve kicked on from there, and it’s important we keep doing that.

“Our home form has been terrific, and the away form has as well.

“The fans play a big part in that. They’ve been vocal, the encouragement has been great, and if they keep backing the players, they will respond to that.”

He added: “We know when we’re at it, we can cause teams problems, and that’s what we’ll look to do.

“We’ve got a consistency of performance, and I do believe that our points return should be greater given the level of performance.

“There are one or two reasons for that, but it’s something can continue to work on.

“The lads are giving of their best, they have a work ethic and desire to do well for the football club, and if we can just brush up on one or two little things, that will serve us well.”