Burnley Fan View: Home form turnaround is critical

After a disappointing penalty loss to Leeds in the Carabao Cup, its time for Burnley to take stock and reinvent themselves at home.

Last season we were lauded in all parts of the media for our home form. Fortress Turf Moor, it was christened, and we looked like we could handle anybody at home – even if we were hopeless away.

Fast forward and we have won just four league games this Calendar year, and more worryingly I can’t remember the last time we really demonstrated our prowess at home. Even against Leeds we looked very lacklustre and unable to assert ourselves.

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Perhaps the most disappointing element of the Leeds performance was our lack of belief. We have technically superior players in most areas of the pitch, yet played a long ball game. This should have been the lower league side’s unambitious strategy but instead it was us who launches it time and time again. We have potentially the best three central midfielders of my lifetime able to play together and we are still playing 4-4-2 to two physical strikers.

I appreciate a cup game should be seen as an opportunity to rest some players and give fringe players a chance – I thought Arfield and Taylor were impressive. We got that out of the game and I don’t think the 120 minutes will harm us on Saturday when we welcome Huddersfield to the Turf.

This is a game we need to impress, and honestly a big performance and a draw might be better than another scrappy win – as baffling as that may sound.

I hope we play with a high tempo and dictate play early on. We should be the strong favourites in this game, even despite the good start that the Terriers have had.

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On a side note, Leeds fans do have a reputation for being a bit wild and aggressive, but i spent an hour train journey from Manchester drinking and talking football with a pair of them with no bother. I walked from Manchester Road to the ground in my colours, surrounded by Leeds with not an ounce of bother. Fair play to them.

We really need to change our attitude at home and play on the front foot more. We have earned the right to be in this league and then fought hard to remain here. It’s time to play like we believe it.