Lancashire lad Joel Byrom can’t wait for Tuesday’s derby game – Sunday’s goalscoring substitute admits he couldn’t have picked a better time to get back involved.
The former Blackburn trainee, who also spent time at Accrington, knows all about Lancashire derby matches and the 26-year-old midfielder is hoping North End can come out on top in this one.
To do that he recognises the team to be at the top of their game, but also says the fans must be at the top of theirs too: “We need to hear the fans whilst we are getting ready,” he told PNE.Com, discussing the fact the dressing rooms at Turf Moor are right below the away end. “The home side will hear them as well – we need the fans right behind us to help us get that result.
“It’s an old stand; it’s all wooden and the fans can really generate some noise in there. I went to the Blackburn-Burnley game last season and the Blackburn fans really made some noise and it really can be a 12th man if you hear the fans behind the goals – and that’s what we need.
“We need to get results and a win at Turf Moor will give us some momentum. We would then we six games unbeaten. I know there have been a lot of draws in there, but an unbeaten run sets you up for a winning run and that’s what we are looking for.”
The North End No.13 was involved with the first team squad for the first time in the weekend’s eight goal thriller at Sixfields, scoring with a header to level things back up at three-a-piece, but he admits that the lads are happy to have another game so quickly after dropping two points so late.
“It was nice to get some game time and nice to get a goal,” he continued. “I’ve been getting a few goals in pre-season and the games we’ve played behind closed doors, so it was nice to be able to take that into a first team game.
“I had only been on the pitch for about 15 seconds when we went 3-2 down, so it meant a change of mentality straight away. We then had to go and get the equaliser, so to then go in front as well and then throw a lead away so late was very disappointing.
“To concede so late and to not get the win was very frustrating. The dressing room was so down at the end, it felt like a defeat, but we have to pick ourselves up and be ready for Tuesday.
“There is no better game to get back up for. They are brilliant games, derbies. Burnley is a massive game for the Club and the fans will be ready for it as much as we are and we need to go and turn the draws we’ve been having into wins.”
His local connections to this game have meant his phone has been red hit this week and Byrom knows the importance of the match to the supporters.
“I have a lot of friends who are fans of both clubs so it is a massive game for me. I have been getting texts all through the last week saying how big it is and it is one of those games that is brilliant to win, if you can do it.
“It is great to get involved; I believe I have been doing quite well, but the lads have been getting results, so the manager hasn’t really had the chance to change anything, but I have kept myself right, kept working hard, trying to impress at every opportunity and hopefully I can get back into the plans.
“We want to be working at Championship level; that’s what we are striving to be and Burnley is a great game for the Club and for us to show what we are capable of,” he added.
Tickets for the game are on sale until 4pm on the day of the game at Deepdale, with coach places also still available.