Last year, as the people who do Championship equivalents to my previews sat down and looked at the 3 teams they expected to be joining the list of clubs that I'll be previewing the following season, very few were keen to predict Burnley making a return to the Premier League, a few years on from their disappointing time here last time. Filled with mediocre Championship players, the Burnley management team performed a miracle in bringing this team up past the big names of Nottingham Forest, Derby, Blackburn Rovers and Leeds in the league table. With Danny Ings, the scorer of 21 (league) goals and Sam Vokes, the scorer of 20 (league) goals, Burnley exceeded everybody's expectations. Achieving 93 points in the Championship is no mean feat and Burnley came up in second place in one of the most unpredictable leagues in all of World football. Their solid defence and with ex-Manchester United youngster, Tom Heaton, in between the sticks, Burnley was key in shocking the world and probably even themselves with this overachievement.
Manager: Sean Dyche- "The Ginger Mourinho"
It really is very rare for me to mention a nickname in the manager column, but when I heard Sean Dyche was labelled "The Ginger Mourinho" by fans last season it brought me a great chuckle. However, as manager of a team that many people tipped to be scrapping to avoid relegation last season and managing to get them promoted to the biggest league in the world, Dyche's achievements last season compare to any of Mourinho's previous achievements. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Dyche is better than "The Special One" or anything like it, but a good season this year and clubs like Newcastle, West Ham and Aston Villa who aren't very keen on their current management team may be sniffing around for the former Watford manager. Another thing to watch out for with this manager who's managed to burst onto the scene in recent years is his voice. Okay, he can't change his voice or anything, but this voice will get commented upon on Twitter during his interviews for BT, Sky and Match of the Day. Let that not take away from what a truly talented manager he is though.
Sean Dyche is 20/1 to be named LMA Manager of the Year this season.
Transfers:
In: Lukas Jutkiewicz (Middlesbrough, £1.5m), Marvin Sordell (Bolton Wanderers, Undisclosed), Michael Kightly (Stoke City, Undisclosed), Matt Gilks (Blackpool), Steven Reid (West Bromwich Albion), Matt Taylor (West Ham United).
Out: David Edgar (Birmingham City), Joseph Mills (Oldham Athletic), Junior Stanislas (AFC Bournemouth), Chris Baird (West Bromwich Albion), Kyle Brownhill, Alex Coleman, Luke Conlan, Jack Errington, Micah Evans, Luke Gallagher, Nick Liversedge, Archie Love, Brian Stock, Keith Treacy (Released).
Firstly, as an Irish man, I will begin the summary of the Burnley transfers by expressing my delight that Steven Reid remains a Premier League player. As a player who seemingly has his best days behind him and having been nothing more than average for West Brom in recent years, it would've been no real surprise to me if Steven Reid had to take a dip down to the Championship this summer. However, Dyche has placed his faith in the former Irish international. Steven will not walk into that team after Kieran Trippier's displays last season. Lukas Jutkiewicz and Marvin Sordell arrive at Turf Moor having previously played in the Premier League in their younger days. With Sam Vokes having picked up an injury their will be a spot up for grabs beside Danny Ings next season. Personally, I can see Sordell's pace being utilised for bigger games. Neither of the two signings would instill confidence in me that Burnley are purchasing players who'll make an impact in the Premier League. Matt Gilks will just provide competition for Tom Heaton for the number 1 position, but I wouldn't expect the ex-Blackpool man to push out Heaton. Michael Kightly arrives at Blackpool having never really impressed in his spells in the top division. Stoke really haven't lost much following his departure, but Dyche will be hoping to bring out the best in the right winger. Matty Taylor's another player Burnley have signed who's best days- back with Harry Houdini at Portsmouth- are way in the past now. Having been used as a bit part player for West Ham in recent years, Matty Taylor brings experience to this squad, but sadly for the Clarets, he lacks quality now.
The departure list is also very unexciting at Burnley. Having sold off David Edgar, a man who once showed promise whilst at Newcastle, another faded talent has left the Premier League. Junior Stanislas excited a few West Ham fans for a short time during his stint at the club, but his pace and liveliness provided a false perception for those who judged off of their first viewing. Chris Baird's departure to West Brom allowed for Steven Reid's arrival and Reid is probably a much better version of the same player, so all in all that transaction is positive.
The Blindsman's Flag Transfers Rating: 4/10- Not really much excitement at Turf Moor. The club haven't lost any of their main men which is some cause for smiles. However, there have been very few signings that bring anybody to the edge of their seat. Hopefully I finally get to see the best of Marvin Sordell and am proven wrong by the Burnley transfer management department. 3/4 more signings for about £10 million between them would help. Time for the board to back their manager with the Premier League's money!
Predicting The Lineup:
Areas requiring improvement? Almost every aspect of the team. The financial limitations of the club could very well end up costing them millions if they go down this season. Heaton, Shackell, Vokes and Ings are 4 players who would be deserving of a chance in the Premier League following their displays last season. Jones, Kightly and Trippier could've been useful squad options, but the fact that they may very well start would be a worry for me. Steven Reid will find it tough to break into the setup here as Dyche may decide to keep the defence which is firmly knitted together from their understanding. However, I believe Burnley should aim to model their season on Crystal Palace's achievements. Palace's defence improved significantly with the addition of Scott Dann in January, a player who had a fantastic time at Birmingham whilst in the Premier League with them, and maybe an addition of that calibre for Burnley would go a long way. Ings will have a huge step up to produce a strong goals tally for Burnley this season and there are very few players around him that can help out in this department.
Fantasy Football Player: Jason Shackell
Burnley captain, Jason Shackell enters what will be his 3rd season at the Clarets this year. As many of you scramble to complete your Fantasy Football teams, in time for the coming season and are looking for cheap defensive options to sit on your bench and occasionally come in when your starting back line has a series of very difficult games, it is worth keeping in mind that Burnley had a reasonably solid defence last season. The former Derby man has scored 2 goals in both of his previous seasons for Burnley and hardly misses any games. Maybe you are going to give Burnley a few weeks in the Premier League before taking such a leap of faith and yes, that is advisable, but Shackell is a man who'll garner many points for tackles and Man of the Matches I believe so is worth keeping in mind.
Prediction: 18th
If you've made it this far without vomiting at my effort to string together an article about a team that I really amn't as familiar with as I should be, I salute you. It is also worth noting that you probably are a Burnley fan desperate to see what I predict or that you are as short on knowledge about the promoted side as myself and haven't noticed the slight (and I admit it) repetition in this piece. However, I can't really see, from my study of the Burnley squad, any way in which the Clarets can survive. For them to finish 18th and be in the battle for survival until the very end of the season would be no disaster and that's for sure. Looking at their last 5 games which consist of Leicester, West Ham, Hull, Stoke and Villa- remaining in touch is key. Trying to avoid sounding patronising to any Burnley fans, but it is just worth enjoying your time in the Premier League while you are here because it still amazes me that you got promoted in such style. Whatever happens, Dyche should always be regarded as a hero and should he manage to keep this side up, he may slide into legendary status. Baby steps first though!
Burnley are favourites for relegation this season at 4/7 and lie at 15/8 to finish bottom.
All odds via Sky Bet on the 9/8/14.
RTs, Suggestions and Criticisms are all welcome... Well, maybe not criticisms... I'll be back soon with the Chelsea preview.
0 comments:
Post a Comment