Michel looking to keep Clarets at bay

Goalkeeper Michel Vorm has highlighted the importance of defensive solidity against Burnley.

With Hugo Lloris injured, the Dutch stopper is set to take up duties between the sticks on Sunday as we resume our Premier League campaign after the international break.

On as an early substitute in our most recent match – a 4-3 home victory over Leicester – Michel has also faced the Clarets before, having kept goal in our FA Cup third round draw at Turf Moor and subsequent replay win at the Lane back in January.

And having witnessed Sean Dyche’s men claim an impressive home victory over league high-flyers Manchester City last month, he says it’s going to be up to everyone on the pitch to keep our hosts at bay this weekend.

“We’re quite an attacking team but a ‘nil’ at the other end of the scoreline is very important, especially if you want to win games,” he said.

“A clean sheet is something that’s very important to a goalkeeper and the defence but you’re not only defending with the back four, you need to do it with the whole team and that’s something that we need to be sharp on.

“We know that we have to be focused for 90-plus minutes against a team like Burnley, as they are going to give their all and could be a threat from set pieces or on the counter-attack.

“One of the things to look at is how they beat Manchester City. We have to make sure we don’t make the same mistakes City did. Sometimes we’ve been a bit sloppy and have given chances away from silly errors and that’s something that we need to get rid of, because teams in the Premier League are always looking to capitalise on that.

“It’s going to be tough on Sunday but, if we play our own game and defend as a unit together, we should be fine.”

Our two FA Cup meetings with Burnley contributed to Michel’s current total of 11 appearances in all competitions for us this season.

But despite our eventual victory in the knockout tie, the former Swansea man believes we’re in for a different kind of test this time around.

“We drew 1-1 over there in the cup, but it was a totally different situation in that game,” he added. “The league is very, very important for them now that we’re only eight games away from the end of the season and that amazing win against City will have given them a lot of confidence, especially for their home games.

“Obviously they’ve got some quality players and it’s tough to go there, but if we defend well and play our own game we can get a good result.”