Mears hopes to learn from Torres lesson
A FERNANDO Torres-inspired Liverpool handed Derby – and Tyrone Mears – a harrowing Premier League lesson that the new Clarets signing is eager to learn from.
Two years ago, in just their fourth game after promotion to the top flight, the Rams were hammered 6-0 at Anfield, with El Nino bagging a brace.
It was a symbolic defeat in a calamitous season which saw Derby relegated with just 11 points – the fewest in Premier League history.
Mears has tried to blank out that afternoon, and the season as a whole, but hopes he is better for the experience.
After signing a three-year deal, following his 500,000 move, he said: "I think what didn't help us at Derby was that we started off okay, drawing against Portsmouth, and everyone was saying Derby could do okay. But when it came to the Liverpool game, they hammered us, and then we played Arsenal and they hammered us. We played a few big teams in a short space of time.
"I know Burnley have got that this season to start with, but the press got on Derby's back and wrote us off, and it got to the players.
"That's one thing, I think from my experience, you can't let the negative stuff from the press get to you.
"You've got to stay strong and dig in.
"It's something I've tried to forget to be honest with you. It was difficult. I missed half the season with a stress fracture and I had to have an operation.
"I was playing quite well in the first quarter of the season and I was enjoying it.
"But it got to around Christmas and you were going into games expecting to get beat, and no player wants to be involved in something like that."
Mears couldn't stomach life back in the Championship, and managed to secure a move to Marseille, who were keen to land the right back on a permanent basis.
But the 26-year-old wants another crack at the Premier League, and feels Burnley can do what Derby couldn't, and adapt to life at football's top table: "The fact that I'm going to get to play in the Premier League again is the biggest factor for me, and the chance to be with my family because I'm from Manchester, and I'm getting a place again in Cheshire.
"And obviously to work with this manager, who's building up a really good reputation for himself, and a manager who thinks he can bring the best out in my game.
"Those are the pluses for me.
"Like I said to the manager, I don't want to play in the Championship. That's why I left Derby to go to Marseille and that's why I didn't go back to Derby.
"I've been offered the chance to come to Burnley and play in the Premier League.
"I'm not looking at it negatively, I'm hoping that we're going to put a good run together and establish the club as a Premier League club."
Owen Coyle feels he has signed a hungry player with a point to prove at the top level, and Mears added: "I've had a little bit of experience in the Premier League with West Ham, although I didn't get to play much.
"At Derby I played, but got injured, so I'm still really desperate to prove I can play ... I wouldn't say play at that level, but for my ambitions and where I think I should playing.
"I was at a Champions League club last season, but I think I should be playing at a good club here, in the Premier League, and Burnley have given me the opportunity to go in and show what I can do."
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Friday 25 May 2012
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