On Tuesday night, Burnley recorded a 1-0 win at home against Stoke to move into the Premier League’s top-four. The Clarets are certainly proving to be the English top-flight’s surprise package this season.
While the likes of Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool were expected to be fighting it out for the Champions League spots this season, it is fair to say that not many would have thought that the Clarets would be rubbing shoulders with the big spenders.
However, boss Sean Dyche has created a team on very solid foundations. His team are defensive sound first and then score enough goals to win matches.
Burnley’s backup goalkeeper Nick Pope has come into the team and proven a great deputy for the injured Tom Heaton. Pope has now kept seven clean sheets in 13 Premier League appearances.
Dyche has been criticised for the style of football the Clarets plays. However, there is a school of thought though that football does not have to be played in one particular style.
The style that Burnley are playing at the minute is winning them games. That is all that matters. The Clarets fans are unlikely to question the team's style of play, as they look to have already sealed their place in the top-flight, a priority for the Lancashire side at the start of most seasons.
Boss Dyche was reportedly overlooked for the Everton manager’s job. The no-nonsense Clarets boss will be glad that he did not join the clubs north west rivals now.
His team are enjoying the heady heights of fourth spot, even if it may only be for 24 hours. It seems doubtful that Burnley can challenge for a Champions League spot.
However, if they keep playing in a similar vein then they can be very proud of their efforts, as the Clarets have defied odds once again this season.