Burnley summer signing Quilindschy Hartman has insisted they won’t panic this season as they fight to stay in the Premier League.
De Telegraaf have comments from the defender today as he joins up with the Netherlands for the international break.
He’s back in the picture after making the move to the Premier League with Burnley this summer. He is one of several new faces after they secured promotion last season.
Scott Parker’s side went up in second after a toe-to-toe race with Leeds United for the title last season.
They are hoping that lessons have been learned from their last promotion. That time around they came up as champions under Vincent Kompany but his refusal to change saw them relegated back down to the Championship in miserable circumstances.
Parker is aware of that and has already made his side more defensively robust than their previous iteration.
They have had the worst start of the three promoted teams, though, with four points from seven games to date leaving them in 18th place. Hartman isn’t concerned by that, however, and insists they won’t be panicking.
Burnley’s tough start is a big deal, says Hartman
“We knew in advance that the start in particular could be difficult,” he said.
“It’s a new team with a lot of new players. All the teams we play against are often four, five years together with the same trainer. We also understand that we have to get a little (stuck) in.
“I think it’s a good thing we’ve had all the top clubs right away. We were able to see what the level is. In the coming month we have matches in which we have to take points.”
In fairness to Burnley, they’ve also been handed the toughest start of the three promoted teams. Their seven games have already seen them take on Aston Villa, Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham.
Their solitary win came against Sunderland. And Hartman believes they’ve given a good account of themselves despite the results.
“Personally, I think I started well. As a team, too, but we’ve had a tricky schedule,” he added.
“We’ve had almost all the top clubs. There is a good atmosphere. Every game we have been competitive, and we have had a goal against us twice in the last minute, against Liverpool and United.
“All in all, I am satisfied with how it went personally, as a team we would have liked to have a few more points, but there are enough positives to stick to.”
