Chelsea facing ‘uncomfortable’ Turf Moor trip

BRIAN LAWS has promised to make it an uncomfortable trip to unfashionable Burnley tomorrow for Premier League aristocrats Chelsea – starting with Turf Moor’s notorious dressing rooms.

Laws says that despite a minor makeover this season the changing areas have barely changed since he was a player at the club 30 years ago, and Burnley have to use every advantage when the table-toppers from London come to town tomorrow.

He said: “We have got to use every element we can, use our home advantage and hopefully we can make it uncomfortable for them.

“It there is a bit of hail, a bit of rain and a bit of wind then for us the weather will be perfect.

“They will not relish coming here – not many teams will.

“The dressing rooms have not changed since I was a player, even the colours are the same.

“I wouldn’t say they were unpleasant. Don’t get me wrong, we are not in the dark ages here.

“We have got light, we have got electricity, we have got a bit of warmth – but they are in our dressing room not in theirs!

“If I see any signs of negativity when they walk in I’ll be rubbing my hands.”

Laws has strengthened his squad this week by signing central defender Leon Cort from Stoke and former Manchester City keeper Nicky Weaver who was a free agent after being released by Dundee United.

Both players are likely to be in the match-day squad against Chelsea along with Andre Bikey, who has returned from international duty with Cameroon in the African Nations Cup.

Graham Alexander is likely to be out with a calf strain but Chris McCann should shake off a knee injury.

Burnley have not won in 10 matches and have dropped into the bottom three, but Laws believes that could focus the players’ minds.

He added: “You have to taste that and when you do, it’s not nice and you work harder to get out again.

“We know what we have to do – we have nine home games, our home record is fantastic and we are more than capable of getting the wins we need.

“Chelsea are a fantastic side, very fluent and who play attractive football, so we have got our work cut out.”

Meanwhile Chelsea’s Frank Lampard has called on his team-mates to win their next two games and put daylight between them and the chasing pack at the top of the Premier League.

“If we open up a gap again it’ll be great.” said Lampard.

“Those little mental things are great during the season. It’s great to be back on top. We knew we had games in hand but we didn’t like to see ourselves down in third place. Arsenal were on a good run but it’s a marathon not a sprint.”