BRIAN Laws texted Owen Coyle ‘Ouch’ when the Carling Cup draw threw up a Turf Moor return for the Scot. And the Burnley boss was delighted to inflict further cup pain on the Bolton Wanderers chief thanks to Wade Elliott’s first half volley.
The Clarets, who made it all the way to the semi-finals under Coyle two seasons ago, earned their place in the fourth round after bossing this Lancashire hotpot.
And after continuing their 100 per cent start at Turf Moor with another cup scalp, Laws has called for closure on the fallout from the Coyle era.
“We knew it was going to be a tough night for Owen,” the Clarets chief acknowledged.
“The most important thing was for us to focus on the pitch, and I thought the players did that very well.
“They never really got distracted from what's outside.
“We knew it was going to be a difficult night for one reason or another but we didn’t get involved in that. What we did was focus on the pitch and allow the supporters to get right behind the team and thoroughly enjoy the evening.
“I’m glad it’s out of the way because it was always there in the background, lingering. Let’s hope this has put to bed and we can both move on in different directions.”
And, after riding a storm at the start of his tenure, he admitted it was encouraging to hear his name chanted from the stands at the full-time whistle.
“I can understand the supporters are watching and observing, and they were very hurt last season with what happened. I don’t know if I got a bit of the aftermath from that,” said Laws.
“The one thing is we’ve stayed focused and not let it affect us, we’ve just carried on and the players are producing the football that we ask from them.”
He added: “Moving into the next round of the cup’s important to us.
“I’m looking forward to getting the players rested up for Saturday’s game against Bristol City. We mustn’t forget that.
“The league is more important to us than the cup.
“Our objectives will not change, it’s about getting out of this division.
“And just maybe I might be turning the supporters for me, not against me.”
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