David Moyes has expressed sympathy for his Burnley counterpart Vincent Kompany as West Ham prepare to host the struggling Clarets in the Premier League on Sunday.
Kompany led Burnley to the Championship title in emphatic fashion last season, and many expected the Clarets to impress on their return to the top flight.
However, they sit 19th with 11 games remaining, 11 points adrift of safety and only above bottom club Sheffield United on goal difference, having gone nine league games without a win.
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Despite Burnley appearing destined for an immediate return to the second tier, Moyes – whose own future has been subject to much speculation in recent months – believes Kompany deserves credit for his work at Turf Moor.
Speaking at Friday’s pre-match press conference, Moyes said: “I have sympathy for a lot of managers. He’s done a really good job with what he has got.
“He did a brilliant job last season and has continued to bring them on. His team have played well in many games this season and we will need to play really well to beat them.”
The determination from Edson Alvarez 👏@EdsonAlvarez19 | @WestHam pic.twitter.com/PLArWDh1ce
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 5, 2024
Kompany has repeatedly expressed the belief that Burnley’s performances have warranted better results this term, and they managed 75 per cent possession and 20 shots without reward in last week’s 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth.
Despite Burnley’s league position, Kompany remains proud of the way his players have applied themselves, saying: “When you get beaten down, a little bit like we were after the Crystal Palace game, you have build your energy back up and show what we showed against Bournemouth.
“We had 20 shots, we were aggressive in duels all over the pitch. To bring that energy at this point of the season, when we’ve had so many tough weekends, that’s something special.”
Working towards West Ham 💪 pic.twitter.com/agiGyMBAo3
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) March 7, 2024
