MX23RW : Thursday, December 12 11:56:04| >> :600:259785:259785:

Stephen Ward: 'Burnley in Europe would be unbelievable achievement'

Stephen Ward targeting European football
© SilverHub
Stephen Ward is excited about the prospect of playing European football next season, with Burnley currently riding high in seventh place in the Premier League.

Burnley defender Stephen Ward has talked up the "fantastic" prospect of hosting European football at Turf Moor in the 2018-19 campaign.

Despite struggling for wins since the turn of the year, picking up maximum points for the first time in 12 attempts at the weekend, the Clarets have managed to hold on to seventh place.

That current position may be enough to land a place in Europa League qualifying, depending on who lifts the FA Cup, and Ward is excited about the thought of a season of continental football in Lancashire.

"It would be fantastic, obviously for the fans it would be an unbelievable feeling for them and an unbelievable achievement for us," he told Sky Sports News.

"[It's our] second season in a row in the Premier League; I think we were written off by a lot of people because teams get worked out a little in their second season so it's all credit to the management, staff and recruitment giving us all new dimensions and different ways of playing.

"That's really been key, especially away from home this year where our form has been a lot better."

Burnley face West Ham United at the London Stadium on Saturday afternoon, aiming to rack up successive wins for the first time since early December.

ID:320260: cacheID:320260:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2145:
Written by
Daniel Lewis
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Ashley Williams in action during the Premier League game between Everton and Arsenal on December 13, 2016
Read Next:
Allardyce: 'Williams deserved red card'
>
Read more about Stephen Ward Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd20135228111742
2Leeds UnitedLeeds20125336142241
3Burnley2010822471738
4Sunderland20107329151437
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn1910452317634
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2071122314932
7Middlesbrough209473425931
8Watford199462725231
9Swansea CitySwansea207672119227
10Norwich CityNorwich206863530526
11Bristol City206862525026
12Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds207582329-626
13Millwall196762017325
14Preston North EndPreston2041062026-622
15Luton TownLuton2064102335-1222
16Coventry CityCoventry205692529-421
17Derby CountyDerby205692226-421
18Stoke CityStoke205692126-521
19Queens Park RangersQPR204972026-621
20Oxford UnitedOxford Utd194692030-1018
21Portsmouth183872130-917
22Cardiff CityCardiff1945101730-1317
23Plymouth ArgylePlymouth1945101940-2117
24Hull City2037101828-1016


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!