2 days ago
Westley reflects on loan spell at Town and plans for next season
Joe Westley was full of praise for Swindon Town and Ian Holloway after his first loan spell in the EFL last season.
After joining on loan in January, the young striker netted three times despite only making three starts, although he was a regular part of Holloway's finishing crew.
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Speaking in April, Westley said that he certainly wanted to keep playing in the EFL next season after getting his first taste of it with Swindon, having previously played the majority of his football at youth level.
Reflecting on his time at the Nigel Eady County Ground, Westley felt it was an excellent developmental experience for him, especially working under Holloway.
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Speaking to Burnley club media, he said: 'It's a massive club for that league and the manager, Ian Holloway, was a massive part of why I went.
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'He taught me a lot about myself as a player and as a person. He's managed in the Premier League, so there are not many people better to learn off than him.
'[On his debut goal against Newport County] The ball got crossed in from the right, and it bounced up onto my left foot. I just thought 'keep it down'.
'Watching it hit the back of the net and getting the winner was probably one of the most surreal moments of my career so far, and I don't think that night could have gone any better.
'It was a great way to kick off the loan.'
Westley has returned to Burnley for the last year of his contract at Turf Moor after the side won promotion to the Premier League under Scott Parker last term.
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The 20-year-old said that he does not yet know what next season will hold for him, but wants to be ready to show what he can do in the senior game once again.
He added: 'In League Two, the players are just better. They're a bit stronger, with more defensive nous than players in the under-21s and a bit more physical, so you've got to learn to grow up quite quickly in that type of football.
'I went there to prove to myself that I could score goals at that level, and I did do that, so going into next year, I'll make sure I rest but also come back firing.
'I'll come back into pre-season as fit and as sharp as I can be and will see what happens from there.'
