Kyle Walker has issued a rallying call ahead of Saturday's Championship fixture against Derby County, insisting he has "never wanted a victory so much" as Burnley sit bottom of the table and search for a first win in 22 games.

A winless run that dates back to February

Burnley's last victory inside 90 minutes came on 11 February, a run of 22 games that spans the tail end of last season and the first six Championship matches of the current campaign. The Clarets have yet to win a league game this term, and Walker made no attempt to soften the reality when speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire.

"I'm desperate," the defender said. "I've never wanted a victory so much because there's a lot of noise."

Walker joined Burnley from Manchester City in July 2025, arriving at Turf Moor as a player with 17 trophies to his name and a place in City's Treble-winning squad of 2023. The contrast with his current surroundings could scarcely be starker. Six Championship appearances in, he is experiencing a type of pressure he acknowledges is completely new to him.

"I've probably not experienced this ever," he said. "It's a different dressing room to what I was in at City where everyone kind of marshalled themselves. You didn't have to really rile people up to get them a game of football out of them. They had their own standards."

The weight of leadership

Walker was careful not to suggest Burnley lack spirit. He stressed the togetherness within the squad while acknowledging that replicating the self-policing standards of a City dressing room takes time to build. What matters now, he said, is that he leads by example and refuses to accept the situation.

"Am I the most talented player? Definitely not. I played with many more talented players than me, but what I pride myself on is working hard and proving people wrong. Hopefully they're listening to this and they take this on board: I'm not laying down and I'm willing to fight all the way to the very end."

Those are words that carry weight from a player who spent years at the summit of European club football. Whether the squad around him can translate that resolve into points is a different question, but the voice of experience speaking plainly is at least a start.

Saturday's game as a pivotal moment

The timing of the Derby fixture sharpens its importance further. Saturday's 15:00 kick-off at Turf Moor is the last match before an extended September and October international break, meaning Burnley will not play again for three weeks. A win could provide momentum to build on in October; a defeat or draw leaves the squad to sit with a worsening record through a long pause.

Walker acknowledged the uncomfortable duality of the situation.

"You win on Saturday and you want to keep going. You're losing, you're kind of thinking, thank God the international break's coming. But we're not here to beat around the bush: we need a win, that's the be all and end all of it."

Derby arrive at Turf Moor in a difficult spell of their own, having suffered injury setbacks and a recent defeat against Birmingham. Yet for Burnley, a side anchored to the foot of the Championship table with no win since winter, there is no longer such a thing as a comfortable opponent. Walker knows it. Now he needs his teammates to feel it too.

Frequently asked

When did Burnley last win a game?
Burnley's last victory inside 90 minutes came on 11 February, a run of 22 games without a win that covers the end of last season and their opening six Championship matches of the current campaign.
Why did Kyle Walker join Burnley?
Walker signed for Burnley in July 2025 after his time at Manchester City came to an end. He had previously spent a period on loan at AC Milan before returning to England with the Clarets ahead of their Championship season.
When do Burnley play Derby County?
Burnley host Derby County on Saturday at 15:00. It is the last fixture for both clubs before the extended international break in September and October.