Barnes: We’re not one-season wonders
‘DISRESPECTFUL’ TO WRITE CLARETS OFF
Star man: Jamie Vardy Title odds: 14/1 To maintain a position in the top half of the Premier League table. Do you expect more? How will they do? If Jamie Vardy stays fit, they will be fine. At the back, Jonny Evans’ arrival will help shore up a defence that has looked leaky of late. James Maddison is definitely one to watch. ASHLEY BARNES has hit back at the doom merchants predicting Burnley’s season might implode after last season’s seventh-place Premier League success.
Led by boss Sean Dyche (below), the Clarets punched above their weight last season, finishing ahead of clubs including Leicester, Everton and West Ham.
But, after a tough summer in the transfer market, two tough Europa League qualifying ties against Aberdeen and another to come against Istanbul Basaksehir on Thursday, critics have already written off Burnley’s chances of matching their achievements.
That angers Turf Moor striker Barnes, who said: “It is disrespectful to say we can’t do that again. Why not? All the negative things about not being able to repeat it is only coming from the outside.
“We are confident in ourselves that we can finish where we were last season.
“People are making a big thing that we haven’t made signings, but this squad has taken us to seventh and into Europe, so we are capable of doing that again.
“There will be ups and downs, players will get injured. It happened during last season, but we still finished where we did.”
Everton suffered last season by being in the Europa League, but Barnes isn’t overly worried at the impact on Burnley’s season.
“We are all thriving on it,” he said. “We all want to play as many games in Europe as possible. I don’t see it as a negative at all because it means at this stage more game time for everyone.
“You want to play as many games as possible like this in your career.” Star man: Mo Salah Title odds: 15/2 To win the Premier League title. But any silverware would ease the pressure on Herr Klopp. How will they do? This commentator believes the Reds are in their best position for a number of years. But they could do with a clean bill of health – and there is always the spectre of Manchester City.