10:50am Monday 22nd March 2010
By Suzanne Geldard
TYRONE Mears says Sunday’s clash with bitter rivals Blackburn Rovers has taken on greater significance on the back of Wigan’s late winner.
Burnley were denied the chance to move closer to safety when Hugo Rodallega headed home in the last of four stoppage time minutes, keeping the Clarets three points adrift of 17th-placed West Ham, who could create an even bigger gap if they beat Wolves tomorrow night.
Right-back Mears described the general feeling in the dressing room as “really down” after the final whistle at the DW Stadium. But said the upcoming derby could provide the perfect tonic.
“It doesn’t get much bigger than that game for this club and it’s massive in terms of us trying to stay in the league as well now,” said the 27-year-old.
“It’s huge for the fans as well so we really need to turn up and put on a good show.
“No motivation will be needed for that game. The fans will be right behind us and I’m sure it’s going to turn for us in that game.”
The Clarets had looked on course for a well-earned point – only their second of the season on their travels – and their first goalless draw in 59 games until Rodallega managed to breach a defence that had previously stood up to everything thrown at them.
Mears admitted it was hard to take, particularly after Wigan scored seconds after David Nugent had been denied by goalkeeper Chris Kirkland at the opposite end.
“We worked so hard with our preparations for this game. We played quite well in the first half and then near the end we could have snatched all three points. But it’s gone the other way and we’re really down about it in the dressing room,” he said.
“This was a really big game for us and it’s taken Wigan a good few points ahead of us now.
“But we have to keep our heads, there are still games to be played and other teams will slip up between now and the end of the season. It’s important now that we start again against Blackburn.
“That’s a big derby for us. It would be a great game for us to pick up three points in and start looking upwards.”
Mears added that the players had been boosted by defeats for West Ham and Hull, while Wolves had their 2-1 lead pegged back in the Midlands derby with Aston Villa in Saturday’s early kick-off.
“The other results have not gone too badly,” said the former Derby and Hammers defender.
“The bottom half of the league is still quite poor really and you look at it and think we still have a good chance of getting out of it. It’s still achievable if we can start picking up some points.
“We’ve seven games to go and we still have a great chance to stay in this league, that’s how we have to look at it.”
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