If you had £25 million to spend in January...

[Spijed]

And if we can't?

We'll struggle. That's what SD builds his team on, not scoring loads of goals.

[Spijed]

When was the last time you ever felt confident once we went behind?

Pretty much all of last season. Even against Spurs, Man City & even Chelsea, to name some of the big clubs we got back into the games and you always felt that with our watertight defence we had a chance regardless of who we played.

[Falcon]

Last season Burnley should have conceded 54 goals - teams that allow opponents the same number and quality of shots typically concede 54 goals. Burnley conceded 39 - 15 fewer. They got lucky.

This season Burnley conceded 25 goals after 11 games which is about what we should have conceded. A rule of thumb: a team should concede 1 goal for every 10 shots against them. Last season Burnley allowed opponents 15 shots per game. This season we have allowed opponents 21 shots per game. We are defending worse. 25 goals against after 11 games is equivalent to 86 goals against after 38 games. If Burnley allow opponents 21 shots a match for the rest of the season they could concede 86 goals. Only Derby in 2007-2008 have conceded more than 85 goals in a 38 game PL season. However, hopefully Burnley will defend better for the remainder of the season and concede less frequently.

Some interesting thoughts and analysis from Kevin Pullein a football columnist.

This sort of thing is all well and good, but it doesn't take into account the quality of the shots we were allowing. I believe the analysts when looking at our games last season were impressed with how we channelled all shots to be straight down the middle and easier for the keeper to save / defenders to block, which is why we seemingly 'got lucky'.

[houseboy]

Pretty much all of last season. Even against Spurs, Man City & even Chelsea, to name some of the big clubs we got back into the games and you always felt that with our watertight defence we had a chance regardless of who we played.

But now? Without that defence? Last season we could soak up pressure all day and maybe nick a goal, it's what we were good at, but that defensive solidity has vanished and 'nicking the odd goal' is no longer good enough. I'm not trying to be argumentative or winding people up for the sake of it, I'm just saying that without that defence, which, as someone has already pointed out statistically, got lucky last season on balance we need to be far more pro-active in front of goal. 36 goals, last season's total, will not be good enough this time around unless the defence starts getting lucky again, and you cannot rely on luck.

We need someone who can score goals and maybe we even have him in Vydra, if only Dyche would bloody give him a chance. If someone else can take on the scoring role, even from a number 10 position like Vydra, then the pressure is off Wood/Vokes/Barnes and they may then play with more freedom and become better themselves. Whatever way we do it we need more goals this season than last or we are sunk and at the moment we are not scoring any better than last season really apart from a very undeserved thumping of Bournemouth.

[Sleeping Cat]

This sort of thing is all well and good, but it doesn't take into account the quality of the shots we were allowing. I believe the analysts when looking at our games last season were impressed with how we channelled all shots to be straight down the middle and easier for the keeper to save / defenders to block, which is why we seemingly 'got lucky'.

Well it depends which stats he was using. XG actually does factor in the quality of the shot (angle, distance) and then uses stats based on thousands of previous shots from that position and attaches a figure on the quality of the chance. Last Season our XG for goals conceded was alot higher than our actual goals conceded which also suggest that we were defending way beyond the normal performances. I head many refer to this and say we were over achieving in terms of results. This season we seem in line with the XG for goals conceded and aren't doing as well as a result. It doesn't mean we were lucky last season, but we were out performing the "norm" for how we actually play in terms of possession, shots conceded etc etc

[CnBtruntru]

I would by myself a Range Rover stuff the cost of tax and insurance

[Sleeping Cat]

I also think CM is the main priority. Hendrick & Westwood are fine, but we lack a creative edge without Defour in there & his fitness is still in question. Cork out of form, but we know how good he can be, especially with the right partner alongside him.

Ready made CMs who could improve our options in midfield
James McCarthy - not getting much game time at Everton. Still only 28
Joe Allen - Box to Box, all action. Also 28
Lerroy Fer - Strong & Powerful. Also 28
Morgan Schniederlin - Seems out of favour. Would provide a good shield for the defence. 29
James Ward-Prowse - Hardly featured this season. Linked in the summer. If available then we should go for him. 24

CMs with potential
Nick Powell - Not sure if he would start but has lots of experience now and still only 24. Potential.
Tom Rogic - Done well north of the border and 25.

Would still like to see us add offensive options so.....

Wingers/forwards
James Forrest - Looked impressive whenever I've seen him. 27, ripe for a move to the PL for the challenge
Jarrod Bowen - Impressive for hull in last 18 months. 21.
Bradley Dack - Genuinely looks a decent player. Added bonus it would be funny taking best player from our rivals and without they may be dragged into a relegation battle again. age irrelevant.

Striker
Neal Maupay - googled top scorer in the championship. 21, why not.
Sean Maguire (PNE) - Think he looks a good player. Could be worth a punt for relative peanuts compared to other options.

[cricketfieldclarets]

Nainggolan for me. Instant rapport with and foil for Defour.

Sounds realistic

[Silkyskills1]

Mentioned above is Sean Maguire and to quote 'Could be worth a punt for relative peanuts' I was just wondering how much those 'relative peanuts' might actually be.

[Chester Perry]

Some solid evidence here that we have good strikers compared to our rivals - just read the finishing section

https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... statistics" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[SGr]

Some solid evidence here that we have good strikers compared to our rivals - just read the finishing section

https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... statistics" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yet another reason why clearly this side needs another creator at least, and/or another anchor. We've can put the chances away, we just don't create enough of them...or prevent the opposition from creating them.

Additionally, I don't see how Jay Rodriguez solves either problem, as I've seen a few suggest in recent weeks.

[AfloatinClaret]

.....prostitutes and cocaine.

All of it? You'd be hard pushed to get through £25M during January; then again,you could waste the rest.
Perhaps on buying Jay -Rod?

[theroyaldyche]

Mooy wouldve been an excellent signing a few years ago. However not convinced he offers us much more than what we have, or rather doesnt address what we need.

Shelvey is a good shout.

U not think after today hed be better than anything we have? Hes run wolves ragged

[jrgbfc]

The likes of Mooy and Shelvey would definitely improve us but why would they want to come to Burnley? Don't think Huddersfield would sell their best player to a direct rival either.

[cricketfieldclarets]

U not think after today hed be better than anything we have? Hes run wolves ragged

Didnt watch.

Hes a good player. Undoubtedly. First time i saw him 3 or 4 years ago I posted on here we should sign him. That was before huddersfield.

I just dont think he is a huge upgrade now as he wouldve been then.

He would be a good signing. But he would be 20m plus now.

[Woodleyclaret]

Jayrod in a heartbeat.

[SGr]

Jayrod in a heartbeat.

Why not Jutkiewicz? Similar performance levels this year.

[jrgbfc]

Why not Jutkiewicz? Similar performance levels this year.

Unless Juke has suddenly developed a first touch, football brain and a turn of pace then he's not very similar to Jay. It's irrelevant anyway if West Brom didn't want to sell in the summer they certainly won't now.

[Top Claret]

25 million would get you Jack sh!t in January

[summitclaret]

If jack is a proper nr 10 he might be worth considering as long as he is not a pain in the arse.

[jrgbfc]

Can we recall Nahki Wells? Be like a new signing.

[ClaretShaun]

We have very, very good strikers.

Barnes, Wood and Vokes all pretty much 1 goal every 2 starts. Which is decent at PL level in a side that doesn’t get penalties and, according to some, has very little creativity or desire to attack.

That said J-Rod would be a most welcome addition, we should paid £20m for him in Summer.

[DustyBawls]

Too early for Jack Walker?

[Vegas Claret]

we don't need strikers, we need to vastly improve our CM midfield