Dyche’s vintage Clarets season
FOR a team that even has an official tractor partner, as their pitchside hoardings keep reminding us, I’m amazed Manchester United haven’t yet signed up a commercial partner to sponsor CCTV footage of their post-match fight club. A BIG thank you to Team
WHAT an achievement by Burnley to climb into the top four a couple of games short of the halfseason mark.
No superlatives do justice to the job Sean Dyche (above) has done on very limited means.
Two Premier League promotions in three years was a fantastic achievement in itself, but the progress they’ve made this time out has been remarkable.
Burnley’s dire away record, prior to this season, had them nailed on for another relegation dogfight, yet they won at Chelsea, earned credible draws at Spurs and Liverpool and look the team outside the top six most likely to challenge for a European place. All done, having sold their two most prized assets Michael Keane and Andre Gray (both below) in the summer, while paying the rest an average £26,375 a week.
And another reason for Burnley fans to be happy is the news that former defender Clarke Carlisle is celebrating the birth of a baby daughter, months after he went missing from home, having left behind a suicide note.
Dyche said, after making the top four, that he was “the proudest man in Proudsville”.
I’m sure every Claret, indeed everyone who has a connection with football, hopes Clarke feels as proud and as happy today. And for a long time
come. WITH Manchester City effectively turning the title race into a one-horse canter before Christmas, the rest of Europe could be excused a good chortle at those over here who boast about “the world’s most competitive league”.
On the other hand, it gives five English sides the chance to concentrate all their efforts on prioritising Champions League glory over the Premier League. And looking at this week’s draw, a half-decent chance that one might fulfil it.