The Sky's the limit at Burnley

What a year it has been for the clarets of Burnley, achieving their highest ever Premier League finish and a potential opportunity to exert their skills in Europe. It was a tremendous season to remember for all associated with Burnley and it will live long in the memories off many even if they don’t quite reach those heights this season. They are enjoying their best spell in England’s top flight and the fans will hope their crest of wave continues. One things for sure, if Burnley don’t quite have the season they had, the fans will support them whatever direction their season heads in.

Burnley’s typical style of 4-4-2 brought them huge success last season and that is down to the magnificent job done by Sean Dyche. He has done a sensational job from the moment he walked into Turf Moor in 2012 turning their fortunes around and growing the club day by day. Dyche’s footballing style isn’t always pleasing on the eye but one things for sure, it will get results and that is down to the hard work that Sean Dyche expects week in week out. However, Dyche has masterminded an unlikely route into Europe and this is certainly built on Dyche’s strong defensive tactics, signings and belief with unlikely stars such as Matt Lowton, Ben Mee and James Tarkowski. Burnley brilliantly kept 12 clean sheets last season comfortably their best in the Premier League era and this strong defence allowed the midfield and attackers to their jobs in the team. Chris Wood, Ashley Barnes and Sam Vokes firing the goals to power them to the top 7. However, their strength in midfield was another key component to last season’s success and re-signing Jack Cork from Swansea was a stroke of genius by Dyche. Playing in every game last season, Cork was at the heart of everything good Burnley achieved last season and he will be integral should they get into the Europa League. But another brilliant aspect of Burnley is the hunger never to give in and this is a huge foundation of their success. Dyche has built a strong spirit in Burnley’s squad and as far as he is concerned, the sky’s the limit.

However, should Burnley get into the Europa League, they are going to need a few extra bodies for squad rotation and tactical purposes. Burnley do have an array for strong powerful strikers like Chris Wood, Ashley Barnes and Sam Vokes but they should potentially look at a striker who is more technical and pacey to add a different dynamic to Burnley’s attacking power. Furthermore, I’m sure Dyche will look for more technicality in midfield with Burnley having a lot of similarities in the central area of the pitch. I’m sure Dyche will assess all areas of the pitch and a key point in his search for players could be pace because although Burnley are dynamic and determined, they do lack pace in areas of the pitch on the wings with N’koudou not lighting things up on the wing last season, I’m sure Dyche will look for other targets. Despite all this, I’m confident Dyche has targets in mind and areas of the pitch he wants to strengthen for next season.

Burnley’s brilliant season will never be forgotten by all fans and they will dream about building on that success and get into the Europa League and maybe even finish in the top 7 once again but it will be a much tougher ask this time around. However, one things for sure, Burnley players, board and Sean Dyche will give 100% effort and commitment on and off the pitch and this will continue to delight all fans of Burnley because it could another special season in the North West.