Burnley boss looks to positives after unbeaten run ends

12:00pm Monday 6th October 2008

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OWEN Coyle has targeted another run of results after his Burnley side's nine-match unbeaten run ended at Reading on Saturday.

“We wanted to sign off (before the break for internationals) on a positive note, but we'll take a kick in the teeth, take our medicine and look to come back and try and go on another unbeaten run,”

he said.

“Maybe it was a game too far,” said Coyle, who refused to blame the manager of the month curse.

“We've played an awful lot of games – but it was the same for both teams, and we're not hiding behind that.

"But we've been defending better than that, in terms of the goals we lost.

“We still carried a threat, still showed a lot of heart and kept going.

"We’re disappointed with the result, but not parts of the performance.”

Coyle was adamant that he would not let the result detract from the positives he gleaned from Burnley's trip to the Madejski Stadium.

Despite losing for the first time in 10 games, the Clarets outplayed Steve Coppell's men for much of the first half after going 1-0 down on five minutes.

"I thought there were two very good teams that certainly try to pass and move the ball, and I'm disappointed to be on the end of a 3-1 scoreline," he said.

"We prepared and showed the lads what to expect, because we knew Reading have been in terrific form, carrying all before them, so I was disappointed with the goal we lost.

"But I certainly couldn't be disappointed with the first half performance after that, I felt we dominated the half and when we look back and analyse the game, I don't think Brian Jensen has had a save to make.

"Reading do deliver quality ball into the box, and Hunt is a top player, Doyle is a terrific striker, and that's why he's valued at £8-10m, but we were unfortunate not to come in level at the break.

"But we conceded, from my point of view, a goal we should have defended better at the back post.

"Reading were clinical all afternoon.

"Clarke Carlisle played after struggling with his back and his movement was limited, and that played a part in some of that, but I don't want to take anything away from Reading, who are a very good football side.

"But I think we offered a lot to the game. We know we competed well against a team that I think you would expect to be one of the top two come the end of the season.

"There's undoubted Premier League quality there, but I think we showed we can more than compete.

"And we play them again at the end of the month."

He added: "I was disappointed with the goals we lost - we have defended far better than that - but I think there were reasons for that, and I know what they are, and I'll make sure we look to rectify that."