Laws eyes Cats complacency

Laws: Targeting a crucial win

Burnley manager Brian Laws hopes Sunderland are already starting to think about their summer holidays.

The Clarets boosted their survival hopes by beating fellow strugglers Hull City at the KC Stadium but remain four points adrift of safety ahead of Saturday's visit to the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats have enjoyed some good results at home this season, including a victory over Liverpool when Darren Bent scored the decisive goal with the help of a deflection off a beach ball that had been thrown onto the pitch from the crowd.

And Laws has been unable to resist a dig at his old friend Steve Bruce, whose team is set to finish the season in mid-table.

Sunderland are sure to be striving for a strong finish to the season but do not need points as desperately as some of the other sides in the division and Laws is looking to take advantage of any complacency that might creep in.

Laws said: "I know Steve Bruce very well as we were at Wallsend Boys Club together. That's how far back we go.

"We have gone our different ways but got back together in the management side. He is a good friend.

"I saw him the other week and said 'I am going to send you a bucket of sand, a spade and a beach ball. You enjoy yourself on holiday. It starts before we turn up on Saturday'.

"Let's hope they are thinking like that."

Duff praise

Laws wants his players to show more of the fighting spirit they displayed against Hull and has singled Michael Duff out as an ideal example of what he is looking for.

Despite being bloodied and bandaged at Hull, the unsung defender turned in a resilient performance.

"It epitomises what we need," stated Laws.

"Through thick and thin, sweat and tears we will give it everything. People were prepared to put their heads in where it hurts, even if it was against each other."