Coyle facing Claret fury

OWEN COYLE admits it would be hypocritical of him to expect a warm reception from Burnley supporters after he spent more than two years encouraging them to be as passionate about the club as possible.

Coyle is set to feel the wrath of the fans who once idolised him as his Bolton side host the Clarets in the Barclays Premier League tonight, less than three weeks after his defection from Turf Moor.

Having guided Burnley into the top flight last summer for the first time in 33 years, Coyle went from hero to zero in the eyes of many of the club’s supporters when he left for the Reebok Stadium earlier this month.

The Scot retains a strong affection for the Clarets but is ready to hear their supporters boo him when his old and new clubs go head-to head.

“People are disappointed that (I) left and I understand that,” Coyle said.

“I asked those same fans for that passion and desire over the course of two years, so I can’t then start complaining about it if it seems to be that they have turned on me.

“We were always up against it, but what we did was more than remarkable and we took the fans along with it. We asked the fans for that passion and it is a remarkable football club. Whatever happens, that will never leave me.

“I’ll always have a special place for Burnley and if fans want to come and vent their anger and frustration at me, then so be it.”

Manchester City midfielder Vladimir Weiss became Coyle’s first signing for the club yesterday after joining on loan until the end of the season.

The Slovakia winger Weiss is looking for first-team football ahead of his country’s World Cup campaign having been on the fringes at City, and the 20-year-old is in line to make his debut against Burnley.

“He is a very positive player. He likes to get at full-backs, likes to get crosses in and shots in,” Coyle said.

“He is the type of player that I want at the football club – one that excites the fans. I also believe there is an edge to his game and a quality that will help the ones we already have.”

Burnley boss Brian Laws, meanwhile, has warned his players against letting “all hell break loose” tonight.

Laws said: “We have to be very focused and channel the aggression, the upset and the turmoil in the right way and play our football in the right way.

“The last thing we want to do is channel it in the wrong way and for all hell to break loose.”

Laws believes the players will not be distracted by the fact they are taking on Coyle’s team but admits it adds some extra spice to the occasion.

“Footballers are footballers – they may be upset for 48 hours but they move on quickly and this is an opportunity to show everyone they are good enough to play in the Premier League,” said Laws.

“As for me, I was always going to come up against him at some time so I might as well get it over with.

“It adds spice to the game – the kind of spice I was dreaming of experiencing as a Premier League manager. This is the place to be.”

Strikers David Nugent and Steven Fletcher should both be available night after missing the FA Cup defeat by Reading but club captain Steven Caldwell (groin) is still missing.