Premier League new boys: Burnley
At the start of last season Burnley were not really considered promotion contenders from the Championship and they raised more than a few eyebrows by getting themselves promoted. They’re a small town club with small resources but manager Owen Coyle managed to guide them to the play-off final, where they beat heavy favourites Sheffield United 1-0.Last season was a very special one for Burnley and not just because it resulted in promotion. They upset the football betting odds when they knocked both Arsenal and Chelsea out of the League Cup and were within minutes of reaching the final before Tottenham scored two late goals to deny them a place at Wembley. The club from Turf Moore did get their moment at Wembley though, with their play-off final victory over the Blades.
They will certainly be the favourites with the Premier League betting odds to go down next season. I think that is fairly safe to say. The club still doesn’t have mega-money to splash around and Coyle may be forced to stick with pretty much the same side that got them promoted. That squad includes defender Graham Alexander – a 37-year-old who has never played top-flight football. However, Alexander had a decent campaign last season as did the rest of the team in all fairness and they may surprise a few people next season.
Unlike the other promoted sides (Wolves and Birmingham) Burnley have never played in the Premier League and I think that town might be the smallest ever to have a Premier League club. I doubt they’ll make any major moves in the transfer market and they will have to rely on their existing players to keep them in the division for a second season. The squad is not without talent though, Icelandic midfielder Joey Gudjohnson is a decent player as is striker Steven Thompson, while former Manchester United trainee Chris Eagles is also amongst their ranks.
If they are to survive it will be a massive achievement and will certainly eclipse their League and FA Cup exploits of last season. I’m not sure they have the financial clout or strength in depth to do it personally but everyone wrote Hull City off last season and they managed to do it. The Clarets also play some attractive football and there seems to be a great team-spirit in their camp so they might just do it, but I wouldn’t bet on it in all honesty.
