Football News: Team Review - Burnley
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Team Review - Burnley
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League Position: 18th
Ins And Outs
Ins:
Maxwel Cornet from Olympique Lyonnais
Nathan Collins from Stoke City
Connor Roberts from Swansea City
Jacob Bedeau from Scunthorpe United
Aaron Lennon from Kayserispor
Wayne Hennessey from Crystal Palace
Outs:
Ben Gibson to Norwich City
Lukas Jensen to Carlisle United (loan)
Bailey Peacock-Farrell to Sheffield Wednesday (loan)
Jimmy Dunne to Queens Park Rangers
Josh Benson to Barnsley
Robbie Brady released
Goalkeepers:
Nick Pope
Wayne Hennessey
Will Norris
A bunch of very average keepers, they are all of a similar style which leaves Burnley with little choice when it comes to their way of playing. Not one of them would inspire confidence in me if I was playing in front of them. This is a squad in need of major investment, and this is just one place that showcases that dire requirement.
Defenders:
James Tarkowski
Nathan Collins
Ben Mee
Kevin Long
Charlie Taylor
Erik Pieters
Connor Roberts
Matthew Lowton
Phil Bardsley
A solid enough, if ageing group of defenders, but lacking the pace and ability to play a higher line. Along with goalkeepers that are unable to sweep up or play out from the back, the Clarets are forced to play a particular way when they give up the ball. That deep line makes it difficult to be more expansive and attacking when on the ball. What this group does possess is good delivery from full-back areas, in the main anyway with Bardsley a notable exception, which enables them to put the ball in from most areas and give forwards a chance of getting to the ball. That has shaped the way of playing heavily.
Midfielders:
Jack Cork
Ashley Westwood
Josh Brownhill
Dale Stephens
A very workmanlike bunch, whose main job is simply to work hard protecting the defence. They do the job that is necessary but any chance of the club moving forward will rely on improving heavily here in terms of creativity and ability.
Forwards:
Dwight McNeil
Maxwel Cornet
Johann Berg Gudmundsson
Aaron Lennon
Chris Wood
Jay Rodriguez
Ashley Barnes
Matej Vydra
The arrival of Cornet has, so far at least, raised the level up of this group massively, immediately showing up McNeil for the overhyped average player he is and pushing him out of his position. You can see why Cornet had been attracting interest from the top sides in the Premier League when he was younger. The key for Burnley is ensuring they keep him in good form, as he is the only real quality they possess in the final third, other than brute strength. Like the rest of the squad, it is another area of the squad in desperate need of investment in younger, better quality players.
Manager: Sean Dyche
Since the day he took over a financially decimated Burnley team which saw him having to sell to keep the wolf from the door, Dyche has performed minor miracles on a miniscule budget compared to his opponents. Now the club has new ownership, which is promising investment and ambition, Dyche will now have to meet those ambitions. The question is not just if he can alter his tried-and-trusted formula to suit higher quality players but also if his name as a coach carries enough clout to enable the club to attract those better players. Dyche really should be able to attract them, as his whole ethos around the club is creating a good team atmosphere which is fun for the players to work in. He asks them to work hard but in return he makes it an enjoyable place to be, something which can help bring the best out of players. But can he do the same with bigger egos?
Conclusion:
A club that has been struggling due to a lack of investment in players over the last few years. Recently far too many have been allowed to leave on frees with no replacements arriving. The new owners are going to have to put their money where their mouths are and spend early on to turn this club around. Right now it is a squad that is fast becoming too old to maintain the workrate needed to survive in the Premier League, especially considering the lack of quality in it. Unless they have an exceptional crop of youth team players coming through, there is little choice but to bring in new signings. The first thing they need to do is to ensure that Dyche stays, without him the turmoil at this stage would ensure they are certain to be relegated. With him they have every chance of surviving to build a legacy at the club.
Written by Tris Burke November 02 2021 14:18:02
