After succeeding Owen Coyle on January 13, Laws has had just two weeks to assess the players at his disposal and bring in new signings before the close of the transfer window, as well as assembling his backroom staff. Alongside that the Clarets have had tricky trips to champions Manchester United and Coyle's new club Bolton to contend with before hosting Chelsea last Saturday. With Burnley currently 19th in the Premier League after losing all three fixtures it has been a challenging start for Laws, but having brought in five new signings and extended David Nugent's loan deal, the manager feels things are beginning to settle down. Next up for the Clarets is a home game against fellow strugglers West Ham and Laws sees it as the perfect time to start building some momentum in the club's bid for survival. "Our first game in charge (against United) was going to be enormous for any manager," Laws said. "It would have been difficult for anybody, the start we have had. To have out of the three games Chelsea and Man United, it would have been daunting for anybody. "There was a lot of work to be done within that period as well - not just about those games, but to concentrate on bringing new players in. "We've put a lot of time and effort in and now the window has shut, we know the work starts now. "This game is a six-pointer, a big game for both football clubs. West Ham won't want to lose it, we want to win it and I think it has all the ingredients to be an exciting game." As well as tying Nugent to the club until the end of the season, Laws has recruited Frederic Nimani, Leon Cort, Nicky Weaver, Danny Fox and Jack Cork over the last few days. The former Sheffield Wednesday boss admits he would have liked more time for the players to adjust to their new surroundings but is confident they will be able to handle the relegation scrap they have been thrown into. "Bringing in new players, everyone needs time to bed in, but we can't give them time unfortunately," Laws said. "But that is where their experience will come in handy. They're not novices, they're not kids; they are players who have got games under their belts and they know the situation quite clearly, what's at stake here at the football club and they are going to be part of that drive and ambition to stay in the Premier League. "They have to hit the ground running and while they do that, we will support them in every way we can to make sure that the transition is quite smooth."
