Sunday 12 February 2017 12:20, UK
Tom Heaton believes Burnley's impressive home form is down to a special bond between players and fans and insists his team-mates have "no fear" tackling Chelsea.
Sean Dyche's side have won seven in a row on their own patch in all competitions and have a Premier League home record bettered only by the Blues and and Tottenham as they prepare to host Antonio Conte's runaway leaders in Lancashire.
Conte's men cruised to a 3-0 win back in August but goalkeeper Heaton, lifting the lid on the Clarets' hot streak in front of their faithful, has warned that a "tight, hostile" Turf Moor will present a stern test for the title favourites.
"We wanted to make Turf Moor a fortress this season and I think we've done that," Heaton told Sky Sports' Patrick Davison ahead of Chelsea's visit, live on Sky Sports 1.
"We wanted to give an identity to our home performances; we mix up our football, we want to make it awkward for teams.
"The football club and the stadium is steeped in history. It's a tight ground, the fans make it a noisy, hostile place and we've used it to our advantage. There's no gimmicks; we try to make it so teams know they're going to have a tough day out. We've got the work ethic and physicality but also the quality and I think we've shown that this season.
"The club's the heartbeat of the town; there's a bond between the players and the fans. You've got that extra wave of noise; you see its impact in the late goals we've scored and the defensive moments too - the times when we've been backs-to-the-wall and we've managed to hang on.
"I think the fans understand the journey we've been on. The minimum requirement for this manager is that you give everything you've got for the shirt. I think as fans you can support players who are giving everything, sometimes despite the result."
Despite sitting in mid-table by virtue of their home haul, Heaton insists survival remains the aim for a side whose last Premier League stay lasted just a single season.
But the England international admits a striking 2-0 win over Liverpool at the start of the campaign boosted confidence they could cut it among the best this time.
"We have a realisation that first and foremost you're aiming for survival as a newly-promoted side," he said. "All we've done so far is put ourselves in a good position. We know the quality of this league and how quickly things can change.
"We defended well on the day against Liverpool and took our chances; maybe at that point we did put a marker down to say, 'We're here, we can compete. We've moved forward this season; we've got a bit more experience and a bit more quality all over the pitch."
Preserving Burnley's top-flight status will remain the focus but hopes of another big home scalp are stirring and Heaton is confident his team-mates can send Chelsea Liverpool's way at fortress Turf Moor.
"We'll give them the respect they deserve - they have a lot of individual quality - but we won't overdo it," he said. "The focus will be on us. It's important we approach the game how we want to and don't get sidetracked.
"We're expecting a tough game but there won't be any fear. We're looking forward to pitting ourselves against the best - and we're looking to win it."
Watch the interview with Tom Heaton - as well as plenty of other build-up - on Super Sunday from 12.30pm on Sky Sports 1 and then watch Burnley v Chelsea, followed by Swansea v Leicester.
