WHERE ON TURF ARE OUR FAMED SHUTOUTS?
GIDEON BROOKS
MATT LOWTON says Burnley are in danger of turning Turf Moor into a happy hunting ground for opposition teams.
The right-back insists the Clarets need to get back to being stubborn at home after posting just one clean sheet in their last 10 Premier League games there. And he believes today’s visit of high-flying Brentford represents a good chance to prove they can start to frustrate visitors.
“We built up a reputation of
Turf Moor being a hard place to come,” said
Lowton (top). “But that’s gone a little now.
“It has been frustrating because we have been playing quite well and the attitude is spot on but the results haven’t been there.
“We are looking at ways of keeping more clean sheets. It’s been a big part of what we have done over the years. But ultimately it’s down to the clinical moments of defending. Hopefully we can start putting that right.”
Under manager Sean Dyche (above), Burnley have built their six-season residence in the top flight on their ability to shut out opponents. Indeed in 2019-20 only Manchester City had more. But the clean sheets have since dried up and is one of the reasons the Clarets are in relegation territory, with only Newcastle and Norwich below them.
The only opponents they have managed to shut out this season are Norwich, who have failed to score in seven of their nine Premier League games this term. By contrast, Brentford, promoted alongside the Canaries, have already scored 11 Premier League goals.
Lowton believes the Bees are riding high on a combination of excitement and energy and will be tough nuts to crack this afternoon. But he said there is no need for Burnley to start panicking despite sitting in 18th spot in the table with just four points after nine games and searching for a first Premier League win.
He said: “When you pick up the fixtures there is no denying that certain ones look easier on paper. There are no easy games in the Premier League but this is a good opportunity with the fans behind us to pick up three points.”