Friend will become foe when Winston Reid and Chris Wood square-off at Turf Moor on Saturday - but the West Ham United star knows Burnley are far more than a one-man team.
Defender Reid and striker Wood spent the international break as teammates as New Zealand traveled to Japan, but this weekend they will be opponents when the Hammers take on the Clarets.
Reid wore the captain’s armband and Wood scored in a 2-1 friendly defeat in Japan on 6 October, and the No2 is acutely conscious of the threat his compatriot will pose.
With Wood scoring three goals in seven appearances, Reid is aware of just how well Sean Dyche’s side have started the season – the Clarets have lost just once in their opening seven Premier League matches and go into the weekend seventh in the table.
“We know how Burnley play and they’ve had good success with the way they’ve been playing for the last couple of years," said the No2. "They’re a well-drilled team, especially at home, where they are tough to play against.
“Not many teams go there and pick up points but, that said, we’ve got players coming back, we’re getting fitter, especially our offensive players, so I think we’ve got a good chance of picking something up there on Saturday.”
Focusing on his international teammate, Reid has been impressed by the strides made by the 25-year-old in the last two years, a period which has seen him score 47 goals in 87 appearances for Leeds United and Burnley.
Chris's all-round game has just improved. When you’re young, you’re a bit immature in the game, but he’s improved and is calmer in front of goal
Winston Reid
“I joked before the game that I would kick him on the plane home so he couldn’t play, but he managed to take an earlier flight so I couldn’t! I’m only messing, of course. He scored our goal and is an important player for our national team and now for Burnley.
“The last couple of years, especially, Chris has worked hard on getting better and hopefully he’s going to get into double-figures for Burnley, but I just hope he doesn’t score this Saturday!
“I think his finishing has improved a lot and he’s incorporated some good touches in and around the box. He’s a big, physical guy so he can hold the ball up for you and, to be fair, he’s not that slow either.
“His all-round game has just improved. When you’re young, you’re a bit immature in the game, but he’s improved and is calmer in front of goal.”
Reid’s appearance in Nagoya was his first for New Zealand in a year and, despite losing 2-1, the defender said the fixture was good preparation for the All Whites’ two-legged 2018 FIFA World Cup Intercontinental Play-Off with Peru in November.
“It was an encouraging performance overall. We didn’t start well and when you go away to places like Japan, who are a good team with big support, you have to start well.
“There were about 70,000 people there and the atmosphere was unbelievable. They were really positive about their team.
“We grew into the game, but then they got a penalty, which was a bit harsh as the ball was smashed into someone’s arm from about two yards, and scored. We equalised and then had some chances, but weren’t quite good enough to close the game out.
“We spoke about it after the game and, when you play against so-called ‘bigger’ teams, you need to be able to see the game out.
“Overall, though, it was a good trip. I’d never been to Japan before and it was really nice to visit that part of the world. I look forward to going back there at some stage, as the people were really friendly and helpful and just generally really happy.”