Burnley could see their relegation from the Premier League confirmed after Wednesday night’s clash against title-chasing Manchester City, but manager Scott Parker admits the prospect has been weighing heavily for months.
All eyes will turn to Turf Moor for a game that could see City replace Arsenal at the top of the table, but the stakes are just as high for the Clarets.
Defeat against Pep Guardiola’s powerhouses would guarantee a return to the Championship, a year on from their 100-point promotion in Parker’s first season.
But with just two points from their last eight matches, they have had time to come to terms with the gravity of their predicament.
“That burden has been on our shoulders for some time. This situation, what it can be, is one the players have been facing,” he said.
“That’s been a challenge for us over the last few months to be honest with you because we’ve not managed to pick up results. The reality may be that (it comes) tomorrow night and that’s the way it is, that’s where we are in the season.”
Burnley’s campaign lurched further into bitterness on Sunday when they lost 4-1 to fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest, falling to pieces after leading on the hour mark.
Their visiting fans reacted angrily to the capitulation but Parker had little complaint with their reaction.
“I’m pretty honest…at the weekend I totally understand and totally deserve the boos,” he said.
“The confusion our fans must have had was the confusion I had as well. For 60 minutes of the game you’re looking thinking ‘this is perfect. We’ve written a script and we’re acting it out’. In the space of 30 minutes you’re losing 4-1.
“In football now it’s become very common: if another team scores the instant reaction is to boo; if you’re 1-0 down at half-time, the instant reaction is to boo. It’s become a bit of a trend. But in this case here, I totally, totally understand it and I take full responsibility for that. I’d probably be exactly the same if I was standing as one of those fans.”
The mood of the fans could play a role in determining the future of Parker, who has a year left on his contract after two seasons of wildly differing results.
But he remains unwilling to look past the end of the current campaign.
“At this present moment, this season still has five games left to go in it. That’s my main focus, along with everyone else at the club,” he said.
“Discussions, where we go in the future and what we need to do as a football club, will take place in due course.”
Burnley have no new injury concerns and no reinforcements ready as they prepare to host City, with Connor Roberts and Hannibal Mejbri not yet fit to return to the squad.
