Burnley Boss Nicky Hayen Calls for Must-Win Game Against Derby County

Burnley boss Nicky Hayen has laid it out in blunt terms. Bottom of the Championship, no league win since February, and Derby County coming to town on Saturday.

“This is a must-win game,” he told BBC Radio Lancashire. No dressing it up. No safety net.

Ramsey blow deepens injury woes

Hayen will have to chase that first victory without Aaron Ramsey, who has been ruled out for around six weeks with a hamstring injury.

“Aaron Ramsey is out for six weeks with his hamstring so it's another one on the list but we have to look for solutions. It is a pull on his hamstring,” Hayen said, adding another name to an already worrying casualty list at Turf Moor.

Burnley’s slide has been brutal. They have not celebrated a league win since beating Crystal Palace in the Premier League back in February. Relegation, a summer reset, and now a grim start to life back in the Championship have left the club stranded at the foot of the table.

The wait is starting to gnaw at everyone.

“Everyone is craving this win”

Hayen knows the stakes against Derby.

“This is a must-win game, we are waiting a long time and everyone is craving for this win. We just need the spark to change the situation and a win is the best solution for that,” he said.

He did not try to shield himself or his players from the anger in the stands.

“It's a must win for everyone, the fans, players and management – I understand their frustration that they are upset and annoyed, so I accept it but it's not how I am thinking. I want to change this as quick as possible.”

The Belgian’s message is clear: he hears the frustration, but he refuses to be paralysed by it.

A “mini pre-season” to reset

Beyond Derby, Hayen is already plotting how to drag Burnley out of their rut during the upcoming three-week international break. He wants time, space and total immersion.

“It's a perfect break, a mini pre-season for us again – the players will have running programmes and we are looking at organising a training camp abroad to stay 24 hours a day together to learn about each other on and off the pitch and get a really good team,” he explained.

The plan is simple: strip things back, rebuild the bonds, and harden the group away from the noise.

“We are creating and building a team – we are changing things and this is the belief that everyone still has.”

Belief is one thing. Results are another. On Saturday, against Derby County, Hayen needs that long-awaited spark to finally catch fire.