Nicky Hayen cranks up pressure ahead of Burnley's 'must-win' game with Rams

The Clarets, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, sit bottom of the table this term, without a victory in their first seven matches.

Saturday’s 3-1 loss at Swansea City was their fourth of the campaign and the Derby clash comes at a time with pressure already building on Hayen, who arrived in the summer after a season at Genk and having had success at Club Brugge.

Like Rams counterpart John Eustace, Hayen has experienced a disrupted pre-season and has picked up injuries along the way.

“Even today and before today there were no excuses. I told you already a lot of reasons. We miss a lot of players. We have a new signing who doesn't have the fitness yet, what we already want,” he told the Burnley Express.

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“I didn't lie a few weeks ago when I said we have to survive until the international break where we can work really properly.

“Unfortunately, with surviving I mean also that you have to win games and take points as much as possible. This is what we didn't manage. Then it becomes a difficult period. But again, it's a must-win on Saturday.”

Hayen went on to expand upon the difficult build-up to the campaign, which saw key players like Jaidon Anthony, Loum Tchaouna, Maxime Esteve and Zian Flemming all leave.

“We had the pre-season in the United States where I came in, it was actually a game, recovery, travel. We came back and then you have two-and-a-half weeks before the Championship.

“Of course, a lot of players left during that pre-season. A lot of new players came in and we didn't have the time because we played eight games in three weeks. It's a game, recovery, tactical day and then another game. Working on the principles is not there, but you see that we are growing.

“You only have to reward yourself with a win because this is the only thing we miss for confidence. One win because you see really good moments, but then an individual mistake breaks down the confidence again.

“I don't say desperate because that's not the right word, but everyone is craving for victory because this will change a lot for us. We have to feel that feeling again from a win.

“Of course, we try to do it every week, but again, it's the last game before the international break and now it's already a must-win.”

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