Clarets defender Lowton: We don’t need loads of cash to succeed – just hard work and no big egos
BURNLEY are showing Everton how to succeed in the Premier League without spending hundreds of millions.
Sean Dyche (below) and his Clarets are seventh and enjoying their best season since 1974, despite spending a fairly modest £39million. By comparison, the Blues have splashed out a record £200m to go backwards, and are the Premier League’s biggest underachievers. Matt Lowton, a key member of Dyche’s side, puts their success down to values, such as hard work and team spirit, and says they would love to eclipse the big-spending Blues. “It would be good to finish above a team such as Everton, who have spent a lot of money, and got a great history,” said the 28-year-old defender. “They have paid a lot of money for these players. The price tags these days are going through the roof. But, as long as we work hard, there’s no reason why we can’t continue our success. “The powerhouses, as they’re called resources-wise, are miles ahead of us. It shows how well we’ve done to be the next team behind that group. “We’ve got no one player you would pinpoint. The gaffer insists we work hard as a team, no individual has his own agenda, everyone’s got each other’s back.” Lowton, signed for just £1m from Aston Villa in 2015, claims the players sense they are writing another chapter in Burnley’s rich history. “We’ve spoken about making a little bit of history in Burnley,” he said.
“You do get the feeling that something special is happening and it’s up to us to keep it going.”
Burnley have a net spend of -£10m because of Andre Gray and Michael Keane’s sales, and Lowton has backed the England centrehalf to come good ahead of his return to Turf Moor.
Keane has endured a difficult first season at Everton, as the Merseysiders have struggled, and Lowton says he will win over the doubting fans.
“It’ll be good to see Keano and play against him,” said the rightback. “But once the game starts, it’s down to business and, hopefully, we can get one over them.
“The move didn’t quite work out straight away and the club didn’t start how they wanted to do.
“It would have been tough going in there when they were not doing well.
“I’ve seen how good he is and, once he gets a run in the team, he’ll do well. I think their fans will be delighted when they see how good he is.”