Burnley manager Scott Parker believes his side’s testing fixture list at the start of the Premier League season could prove a blessing in disguise. The Clarets have already faced Tottenham, Manchester United and Liverpool in their opening five matches, picking up four points in the process to sit outside the relegation zone.
For Parker, the harsh lessons from those clashes are the perfect preparation for their visit to Manchester City this weekend. Unlike two years ago, when Vincent Kompany’s Burnley made a poor start and struggled to recover, the new boss sees reason for optimism.
“There’s no denying that when the fixtures come out you look at it and it was definitely a tough start for us, for sure,” Parker said. “But I never had any thoughts of the what-ifs. You think what-if and it can be a long road for us. I knew there were challenges but there aren’t really many easy fixtures in this division. We’ll take them on head-on.”
Parker: “Early tests will make us stronger”
Parker insists the challenges have already toughened his squad. He highlighted the 3-1 defeat at Old Trafford as an example of the team’s resilience.
“At Old Trafford only two weeks ago, the first 30 minutes the scoreline could have been anything, it could have been drastic, it could have been two or three. But we managed to survive in that moment and then we have that something about us to get ourselves back in the game.” — Scott Parker
He added that the response to setbacks is encouraging: “Quickly after that they score straight away again, which is another dent for us. But this is a side that only lost two football matches last season, so there’s always learning for me. What’s our reaction going to be like when we go down in a game? At this present moment in time, this team have constantly shown me traits which make me think: ‘we’ll be alright.’”
Burnley’s early-season record
Despite their daunting opponents, Burnley’s four-point haul represents a solid foundation. Their resilience has already prevented them from slipping into an early relegation battle, as happened in previous campaigns.
| Burnley 2025/26 | Record |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 5 |
| Wins | 1 |
| Draws | 1 |
| Losses | 3 |
| Points | 4 |
source: Premier League table – 25 September 2025
Analyst Verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William believes Parker’s approach is pragmatic:
“Burnley’s survival will depend less on results against the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool and more on their ability to take points from mid-table rivals. But Parker is right to frame these early tests as a positive. If the squad builds confidence from coping in those games, they will be far better prepared for winnable fixtures later in the season.”
He added: “The key will be turning resilience into points. One win from five is a modest return, but the performances suggest Burnley are more competitive than many expected.”
Key Insights
- Burnley have already faced Tottenham, Man United and Liverpool in first five games.
- Scott Parker says tough fixtures are a positive learning experience.
- The Clarets have four points and sit outside the relegation zone.
- Parker praised his side’s resilience in the Old Trafford defeat.
- Burnley face Manchester City next in another daunting test.
What’s Next for Burnley?
Burnley head to the Etihad Stadium this weekend with few expectations but plenty of resilience. Parker will demand the same attitude that saw his side withstand pressure at Old Trafford before growing into the game.
After City, the fixture list eases slightly, and Burnley will target those matches as the real measure of their survival chances. If Parker’s men can stay competitive in the toughest games, they will be better positioned to collect points against direct rivals.
👉 Do you agree with Scott Parker — can Burnley’s tough start turn into an advantage later in the season?
0 Comments
First read message
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *