Burnley boss Michael Jackson on 'shock' and difficulty preparing ahead of Leeds United defeat
The interim Burnley boss saw his side well beaten by Leeds United on Friday.
Burnley caretaker Michael Jackson said the shock of Scott Parker's exit made difficult the preparation for a trip to Leeds United but the players have to do better.
The already-relegated Clarets parted company with their manager on Thursday and a day later found themselves a goal down on eight minutes as Anton Stach put Leeds ahead. Early second half goals from Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin settled the game before Burnley made things a little more interesting with Loum Tchaouna's goal 19 minutes from time. A 3-1 victory pushed Leeds on to 43 points and almost-certain safety.
"In terms of the game itself I knew this game could go one of two ways with what's happened in the last 24 hours, it's been a big shock to the group with Scott leaving and the relationship he had with the players," said Jackson. "We didn't start well, let them get on top of us. We grew into it a little bit back end of the first half and started the second half quite well. There's no dressing it up, we cannot make those errors that we make that lead to goals at this level or any level. That's something that's disappointing. The biggest thing for me is we can't wait for the game to go against us to then get going, I think that's been a situation for a while now. That comes with where we are in the league and that confidence, that little bit of courage to get on the ball, sometimes it leaves you."
Jackson stuck with the same starting XI that lost 1-0 to Manchester City having had next to no time to get to grips with the team prior to travelling to Leeds. He says the departure of Parker made it a difficult build-up to the visit to Elland Road.
"It's been difficult," he said. "But I'm not going to make excuses about that. The big thing for me with Scott leaving, he was a really close friend and handled himself unbelievably with dignity. I've got full admiration for that. It did hit hard. But this is the job we're in. For the players we need to do better."
Jackson has vowed that under his care Burnley will give it their all to try and win in the remaining games, which Aston Villa, Arsenal and Wolves. Two of those games could have a big say in what happens at one end of the table and the last one against Wolves could be a wooden spoon battle.
"I've just spoke to the group there, we go again on Monday and the ultimate goal is trying to win a game of football," he said. “If I was in the same situation as them [other teams] I'd think the same.
“Not for one minute are we going to disrespect the competition we're in. All I can do is promise them teams fighting for big prizes we're going to have to give it our best."