Burnley moved out of the relegation zone with a battling 1-0 win over Wolves that delighted caretaker boss Mike Jackson, who joked he would like to celebrate the successful end to a whirlwind week by sinking eight pints. Having been thrust into the Turf Moor hotseat following the surprise sacking of long-serving Sean Dyche on April 16, the under-23 coach has flourished and on Sunday secured a second victory from three unbeaten games in charge. The result propelled the Clarets out of the relegation zone – temporarily at least – and the run has injected new life into their survival bid.
Mike Jackson said: “It’s a great result, really strong performance again. It’s the third game in a week so we’ve had to dig deep in areas of that game. We didn’t start the game great but we grew into it as the game went on and later in the first half we started to come into it more. We just tweaked a couple of things at half-time that we needed to get better and then we started second half well. We get the goal and then obviously it’s just about managing the game out a little bit, because there were a couple of lads carrying little knocks and niggles. I think it’ll be a big lift to the group (getting out of the relegation zone) if, fingers crossed, it can stay that way. But just from getting these results, I think psychologically for the group, what they’ve achieved this week will help them, will bring them together even more.”
Jackson does not believe complacency will be an issue for his group, nor will the Burnley coach be getting ahead of himself despite acknowledging the need to celebrate the Wolves win.
Mike Jackson said: “My plan? I’d like to say eight pints but, no, I’ll be going home, sitting on the couch, see my family, and then go to see my dad (on Monday). When you win a game, enjoy that day. Next day, you’ll start thinking about everything else that goes with it but for now just the lads deserve to enjoy that day. They’ve had a really tough week and come out of it with some really good things.”
Jackson has done a sterling job since stepping in following Dyche’s exit but is unsure whether he will still be in charge for next weekend’s trip to relegation rivals Watford.
Mike Jackson added: “It’s literally day to day. We’ve come off the back of this week here and now it’s just about just enjoying that little bit of it, because there’s still a hell of a lot more football to come. It’s about us trying to improve, trying to get better in everything that we’re doing.”
