Premier League Half-Term Reports: Burnley miss strike pairing

Team Name: Burnley

Current Premier League position: 19th

Giddy highs:

A creditable 0-0 draw at home to Manchester United saw the Clarets collect a welcome first point of the season back in late August.

However, that result set the tone and began a sequence of three straight stalemates.

But there are signs of more good times around the corner with a recent last-gasp 2-2 draw against Leicester a positive show of the passion and spirit that exists within the camp.

If manager Sean Dyche can continue to build from a sturdy backline then there is a slim chance that his outfit can achieve the impossible and beat the drop.

Watch Ross Wallace score a screamer to salvage Burnley a point against Leicester City!

Crushing lows:

While Burnley have looked largely toothless in attack their defensive solidity has ensured that the majority of their results this season have been respectable.

But one glaring contrast is the 4-0 hammering they suffered against West Brom at The Hawthorns, a game that exposed the team’s frailties in all areas of the pitch.

If the Lancashire side are to avoid receiving the wooden spoon at the end of this Premier League campaign then they’ll have to learn from such a crushing defeat.

Shining Star: Lukas Jutkiewicz

No doubt there will be sections of the Burnley faithful who strongly disagree with this selection but the general consensus appears to be that the 25-year-old striker has performed admirably up top in an occasionally isolated role.

He may not get the goals to ensure survival but the fans’ September Player of the Month will continue to earn plaudits for his all-round contribution to the side.

Jutkiewicz has had a tough task in trying to lead the Burnley line this season

Biggest Disappointment: George Boyd

Having signed from Hull for £2.5m at the end of the summer transfer window, Burnley fans were hoping the skilful winger could rediscover the form that saw him earn a Premier League move to the aforementioned Tigers last year.

However, the former Peterborough talisman has largely disappointed so far, with his work ethic and effectiveness on the pitch both being called into question.

It’s too early to write Boyd off but he’ll need to improve to convince his doubters.

Best bet for the rest of the season: Burnley to finish bottom @ 7/5

Grade: D

Final Thoughts:

The absence of strikers Sam Vokes and Danny Ings has undoubtedly contributed to Burnley’s slow start to the season.

As one of the most feared duos in the Championship their partnership delivered a total of almost 50 goals for the Clarets last term and they’ve been sorely missed.

There are a few positives to be drawn from their opening seven games but a lack of top-flight experience and quality has been apparent and could ultimately mean a quick-fire demotion for Sean Dyche’s side.

And picking up points at home to the likes of West Ham, Everton and Hull in the coming weeks will be crucial if Burnley want to avoid being cut adrift at the bottom.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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