Since failing to pick up a single three points in their first ten games, Sean Dyche’s plucky side have just about started to turn things around in the past few weeks.
Between November and December, the Clarets went four games unbeaten, came home with a win after beating high flying Southampton, and even managed a previously unthought-of 2-2 draw with the Champions in their determined attempts to steer clear of the dreaded relegation zone.
Yes, Burnley currently sit 19th in the Premier League table, and yes, an unceremonious demotion back to the Championship certainly is still on the cards for Sean Dyche’s boys, but with their recent set of good results and even better performances, the Clarets have showed that they are still worthy of a place in the top-flight of English football.
One major aspect contributing to Burnley’s survival chances this season has been their classy team spirit and togetherness on the pitch. When the Turf Moor faithful saw their side begin their Premier League journey this season, they knew their team were coming into the new campaign with no real stand-out names, very little experience, and hardly any tested know-how in England’s top tier.
The likes of Matthew Taylor, Michael Kightly and George Boyd, transferred from West Ham, Stoke City and Hull City respectively, definitely offered Sean Dyche a handful of Premier League experience this summer, but the former Watford boss could hardly have been hopeful that his side would adapt to their new league straight away.
Whilst such worries did in-fact become reality for Burnley, the Clarets have now developed a new-found flow and confidence within their new surroundings. Full-back Keiran Trippier has gained admirers among some of the Premier League’s stronger sides, striker Ashley Barnes has found goals not so hard to come by in recent weeks, and with the promotion winning heroes Danny Ings and Sam Voakes now fit and firing, the future is starting to look decent for Burnley in 2015.
Sean Dyche himself must also take a great share of the credit for beginning to turn around his side’s fortunes. The 43-year-old Kettering born boss remains one of the only ‘old-school’ English managers left in the Premier League. Through his never-say-die attitude, willingness to mix it up tactically, and impressive positive demeanour in post-match interviews, the main-man at Turf Moor has turned his side into an outfit that are now very much hard to beat. If there’s any man able to keep Burnley up this season, it would certainly have to be Dyche.
Whilst the likes of Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal receive constant praise after signing millions of pounds worth of players, surely Sean Dyche deserves a bit more credit for the job he is currently doing, and with what little resources he is doing it with?
Another important factor that should appease the relegation worries of the Turf Moor faithful, would be the distinct lack of impressive Premier League teams who are similarly looking to avoid relegation. Leicester City look a complete shadow of the side that won the Championship last season, Crystal Palace seem to have lost the resilience brought in by Tony Pulis, and whilst both QPR and West Brom will be in improved moods as of late, Hull City are another side that look like they could be in real trouble come the end of the 2014/15 campaign.
For a side that were initially considered dead-certs to be relegated, with the power of team spirit and togetherness, Burnley might just show the rest of the footballing world that big names do not always equal success in the top flight of English football.
[ad_pod id=’ricco’ align=’center’]
