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Luton vs Burnley: Parker wants Clarets to become a ‘winning machine’

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Luton vs Burnley: Parker wants Clarets to become a ‘winning machine’

Scott Parker says Burnley’s bid to bounce back from Premier League relegation is a mental challenge after they began their reign in style with a counter-attacking masterclass to beat Luton Town 4-1 in their Championship opener.

Josh Brownhill and Wilson Odobert scored first-half goals for the Clarets, who responded to Tahith Chong giving Luton hope by scoring twice in nine minutes, Dara O’Shea’s header and Vitinho’s powerful finish completing a swift counter-attack from deep inside the visitors’ half.

“This is a team that was relegated last year,” Parker told Sky Sports Football. “I’ve been in that situation many times before, not winning many games.

“There is a psychological element and going from that to being a winning machine is difficult. We had to dig deep and show another side, as well as the tactical side, at certain moments.”

Burnley: Championship win

Former England international Parker was promoted from the second tier as manager of Fulham and Bournemouth but was out of football for almost 16 months before succeeding Vincent Kompany on July 5.

Championship winners in 2022-23, Burnley’s bid to secure Premier League safety rarely looked credible last season, and Kompany’s departure to Bayern Munich left Parker with a considerable task during pre-season.

Luton were also relegated from the top flight after promotion, finishing two points above Burnley.

The Hatters were slight favourites to start with a win, but Burnley ended the first round of games as one of two teams to win by more than two goals, alongside Sheffield Wednesday.

Burnley goals: ‘A real threat’

“I told the players at times that we had to go back to the men,” Parker said, calling Vitinho’s goal “incredible.” “I was proud of them for that.

“We were deadly in transition and looked a real threat. I wanted the team to be really aggressive up front. There was a big responsibility on the (forwards) to be fluid.”

Burnley are in action again when they host Cardiff City, who lost their opener 2-0 to Sunderland on Saturday (3pm).

On the same day (12:30pm), Luton visit Portsmouth, who secured a last-minute 3-3 draw with Leeds United.

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