Interviews

Burn: I am still learning from the boss

Defender enjoys underdog tag when playing at wing-back.

By Charlie Hanson • 17 May 2021

By Paul Hazlewood
Dan Burn played the full 90 minutes against West Ham on Saturday.

Dan Burn concedes that it's strange to see a near two-metre-tall wing-back running up and down the touchline, but he thrives on being underestimated.

“I used to play with Luke Ayling [the pair worked together at Yeovil] who is now at Leeds, so when I was coming up against him the other week we had a bit of a laugh. You don't tend to see tall players at wing-back, but I quite like it. People look at me and might underestimate me, which I kind of like.

“I like the challenge of wing-back, it's good to push yourself out of your comfort zone and I am getting into positions higher up the pitch which until two years ago I wasn't doing very much. As long as I am playing I will play anywhere.

By Paul Hazlewood
The defender has played at wing-back and a centre-back for Albion this season.

“It's strange seeing a 6ft 7in guy running up and down the wing, but I want to show people that the tall guy can do more than just head it and kick it.”

Despite finding himself at the attacking end of the pitch more regularly, the 29-year-old is yet to find the back of the net in an Albion shirt.

“The season before I came to Brighton I scored six – if you could put your finger on why I haven't scored yet I'd be flying. I am trying to get in those positions.

“I had the chance at Liverpool which I missed, but I am never really in those types of situations. It's an area I really want to add to my game.”

Albion have had to chop and change their defensive set-up throughout the campaign with injuries, suspensions and departures in the case of Maty Ryan, all playing a part.

“The more games you play alongside the better the relationship is – you know what they're going to do without second guessing,” Burn explained. “Since Graham Potter has come in he hasn’t necessarily picked the same team every week, he always picks the team that he believes will win the individual battles and we have adapted to that.

10:13

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Extended Highlights: Albion 1 West Ham 1

“You might not play every minute, but you know that there will be opportunities just around the corner. Everyone has had their chance to impress this season.

“Last year I played pretty much every minute I was available for. At the start of this season I didn’t play as much and that was hard to adapt to.

“But I have played in a couple of positions this season and I have learned. I feel I have performed well and contributed to keeping us in the league.”