Thoughts at the halfway stage

[tiger76]

47 points.
46 goals.
13 wins.
Only 2 defeats in 23.
Players chipping in with goals from everywhere.
Football a joy to behold in the main.
Able to come from behind to win games not something we've been noted for recently.
And all achieved with a minimal spend plus several key players being absent due to injuries, as well as a host of experienced PL players leaving over the summer.

What's really impressed me is how we've reacted to the 5-2 drubbing at Sheff Utd, since then we've spanked Rovers 3-0, QPR 3-0 and now beaten Middlesborough 3-1 while in 2nd gear for much of the game.

Surely even the most optimistic BFC supporters couldn't have expected for us to going so well this early in Kompany's tenure, I certainly didn't and would have been relatively content with pushing for a top 6 place.

And it's not just the victories, it's the manner of the victories, we're looking a class apart from everyone else presently, plus we still have plenty of scope for improvement and hopefully the ability to add to our impressive squad in the upcoming window.

[Penwortham_Claret]

When we were told that goals would come from throughout the team and most of us eye rolled…

[Vegas Claret]

Magnivincent

[Rowls]

It's going well.

[Bosscat]

Yet some people are still not convinced ...

[Carnsmerry12]

Really pleased, never expected us to be doing so well. Great appointment.

[Nori1958]

Yet some people are still not convinced ...

I haven't seen Burnley fans saying that

[Croydon Claret]

It's been sensational so far

[colne-claret]

Amazing. So refreshing to watch. Club seems to be rebranding itself as well which was needed after being let down by a minority. I’d lost my love for football last season with the dire football and terrible VAR so this season has been great for me. Love the success we had under Dyche and I hope that big Vince can take us to the next level.

[Longsider]

I'm not convinced. Until we start beating sides by a five goal margin week in week out I think we are going to get found out.

[RVclaret]

We are doing staggeringly well to say we’ve got a keeper who’s not a keeper, can’t catch anything and can’t save a shot.

[Aclaret]

Really enjoying the football. Before the season started I would have been happy just to remain in this league without getting relegated.
Never expected the players to gel so quickly, the signs were there when we played at Huddersfield that 1st game, that we were on to something special....long may it continue.....and a word of praise for Alan Pace too.

[redwasp]

I think promotion is guaranteed. There is no way any of the chasing pack are going to make up 10-12-15 points. It's just a matter of staying in front of the Blades.

[Aclaret]

We are doing staggeringly well to say we’ve got a keeper who’s not a keeper, can’t catch anything and can’t save a shot.

[Nori1958]

We are doing staggeringly well to say we’ve got a keeper who’s not a keeper, can’t catch anything and can’t save a shot.

Shows how good the rest of the team is

[Sozturf7]

An absolute joy to watch.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Going to be promoted by end of march.

Championship is garbage and we are the shining light.

It will be an interesting summer, probably out most interesting ever. Got to hope we can get some of the loans back and then further strengthen.

[quoonbeatz]

Loving it and plenty of room for improvement. Said it a few games ago the only negative is that there's only 23 league games left to enjoy.

[warksclaret]

Its a miracle when you look and compare our results and performances over the previous two seasons then look at what we have achieved with 14 new players and a spend of under £20m.The last half of those 23 games have produced one hell of a points tally.

Not just the points, but the way we play, the way we have used the loans market, our recruitment of some really talented players,what the coaches are doing with the players that is becoming so apparent each week, and the general harmony in the camp.Plus the improvement in existing players such as Cork & Brownhill

Looking forward to the United game this week, which will be a great measurement of how good we are v a PL side. The Chairman, VK and coaches deserve huge recognition of what has been achieved in less than 6 months

[Rileybobs]

Yet some people are still not convinced ...

Really? I haven’t heard anyone who’s not convinced by how well this side is doing.

[bfcjg]

Amazed how well it's going, loving going on, if we'd have played like we are now in every game we have dropped points in we would be on at least 55 plus points, but as VK said at start of season we will get better and better, how true.

[Bordeauxclaret]

The best parking lot I’ve ever been in.

[Firthy]

I'm enjoying watching games again online without getting too nervous. Great team and attitude and so nice to see younger fitter players who will only get better. I'm just hoping we can keep the team together for next season and see how they do in the Premier League.

[Nonayforever]

Far better than I expected.
The skill on show is outstanding at times. How VK and his staff organise the players is a joy to watch.
I was expecting far more mistakes at the back but THB and Beyer are top class distributors of the ball who rarely lose possession.
Long may it continue but I fear the lack of money in the PL.

[CnBtruntru]

Brilliant

[TheFamilyCat]

Absolutely loving it.

We have some great players playing some great football. More than that though, they seem to be a great bunch of lads, completely united and playing for each other.

The atmosphere has been cracking too and the players are really responding to that and show their appreciation.

Turf Moor is a special place to be right now.

[clarethomer]

I'm delighted after a few tough seasons to see us winning more and scoring more.

Enjoying it whilst it lasts.

[redwasp]

Every season 1 and often 2 of the relegated sides goes back up but its because they keep enough of their Premier league players to ensure they are to good for this division, but we only have Brownhill who was regular last season and starting every game this season.

[Swizzlestick]

Was delighted with the Kompany appointment but thought it might take a bit of time to embed his ideas and get a good number of new additions to gel. Astonished by how quickly he’s managed to do both. He’s been an absolute breath of fresh air both on and off the pitch and rejuvenated the club.

[jedi_master]

Cannot really put into words how much I’m enjoying this season. It’s an absolute pleasure going to Turf Moor, and makes the 170 mile round trip very easy each week - something I cannot honestly say has been the case at times during the Premier League years (that’s not a dig at anyone either, just the nature of that league in needing to sit in and pray for a point in a lot of games). It’s been beyond anything I had ever dreamed of. Football that gets the blood pumping. Players like Manuel Benson getting me on the edge of my seat and then flying off it. Bloody great it is.

[jurek]

Still get worried and nervous when we go 1-0 down
but have to say this team does seem to hane the abiltiy to come back and win games.

Long amy it continue!

[Bosscat]

Really? I haven’t heard anyone who’s not convinced by how well this side is doing.

I haven't seen Burnley fans saying that

[Wile E Coyote]

Im a bit stunned by it all, after the controversial takeover, and with Sean Dyche going, it looked bleak.
Then to bring in Vincent Kompany and see a brand new team being assembled within next to no time was amazing.
More so because of the flair, skill, and attack in the new squad.
It is a tough division, and Burnley are on top of it.
Been a supporter for years and years, but never saw this coming.
Incredible achievement without a doubt. the win over rovers prior to world cup was like someone had written it in a script, with Barnes in the starring role. great, great days to be a Claret.

[Ric_C]

Think the team and squad is progressively getting better and it feels like we are getting fitter and stronger with each passing month.

25 points from the last 10 games (Since Zaroury's full home debut)

We are now winning games we were drawing earlier on in the season.

The football is great to watch with truly fabulous players like Tella, Benson and Zaroury who get you out of your seat.

Twine, Churlinov and Westwood to come in to boost options.

One striker away from getting near to 100 points tbh.

There are no teams in this division (bar Sheff Utd at a pinch) that are as consistent as us.

At the start of the season, when we were dropping points, I wasn't that bothered as I was taking this season as a transitional one anyway. But I've seen enough now. We are quality and I want that trophy.

[houseboy]

Yesterday was the 8th game this season where we have scored three or more goals and at the beginning many worried about our lack of killer instinct. The defence seems to have learned lessons and Muric is turning into a top notch keeper (despite some unwarranted criticism of him on here). I was one also who thought we desperately needed a striker in January (and it would be fantastic if we got one) but with the City model of goals coming from all over the park I actually don’t think it is as important as I did. In fact the resemblance to City in playing style is actually quite remarkable and it is easy to see how much influence Guardiola has had on VK.
This is one of the most enjoyable seasons I can remember and the problem for the rest of the Championship is that we just seem to be getting better and better. Can any other team in this (or any other) division boast 13 goal scorers this season. Amazing.
I do have one complaint. Muric needs to get his finger out and get on the score sheet the bloody ner do well.

[Paul Waine]

Exciting times.

Happy Christmas, everyone.

[scouseclaret]

Every season 1 and often 2 of the relegated sides goes back up but its because they keep enough of their Premier league players to ensure they are to good for this division, but we only have Brownhill who was regular last season and starting every game this season.

This is the most remarkable thing for me. Watford and Norwich both kept the bulk of their squads together and seem to be struggling a bit (although I think Watford at least will in the mix at the end of the season).

We’ve turned over 16 players with a net spend of -£50m and are tearing the league up. It really is astonishing what VK and his team have done so far.

[2 Bee Holed]

Really enjoying the football. Before the season started I would have been happy just to remain in this league without getting relegated.

I was just thinking the same. Dare I look yet, are we safe?

[ClaretPete001]

It is incredible and no sane person would have predicted it....!

But clearly, insanity is proving to be exciting.....

[MT03ALG]

96 points by the end of the season ?

[Quicknick]

47 points.
46 goals.
13 wins.
Only 2 defeats in 23.
Players chipping in with goals from everywhere.
Football a joy to behold in the main.
Able to come from behind to win games not something we've been noted for recently.
And all achieved with a minimal spend plus several key players being absent due to injuries, as well as a host of experienced PL players leaving over the summer.

What's really impressed me is how we've reacted to the 5-2 drubbing at Sheff Utd, since then we've spanked Rovers 3-0, QPR 3-0 and now beaten Middlesborough 3-1 while in 2nd gear for much of the game.

Surely even the most optimistic BFC supporters couldn't have expected for us to going so well this early in Kompany's tenure, I certainly didn't and would have been relatively content with pushing for a top 6 place.

And it's not just the victories, it's the manner of the victories, we're looking a class apart from everyone else presently, plus we still have plenty of scope for improvement and hopefully the ability to add to our impressive squad in the upcoming window.

Great post, Tiger. I can't add to it.

[Nori1958]

You must be looking in different places than me i

[wilks_bfc]

Still get worried and nervous when we go 1-0 down
but have to say this team does seem to hane the abiltiy to come back and win games.

Long amy it continue!

Really?

I see us go 1-0 down and think “well that’ll kick us up a gear” and it more often does.
Unlike recent seasons, when going behind where it was a case of “well let’s keep them at 1 (or below 5 if it was City)

[Zlatan]

3 points from safety…

[Clive 1960]

It's been a tremendous achievement so far by everyone concerned at Turf Moor and long may it continue and also praise for the fans coming back to get behind the team and to make it worse I have to watch from a far after being a season ticket holder for over 30 year's.

[2 Bee Holed]

96 points by the end of the season ?

No, but logic says we could double what we have now.

[Bosscat]

No, but logic says we could double what we have now.

Not just logic even Hurstwood Clarets EOS rediculopredictothingummybob Excel Spreadsheety thing has us doubling our current points so it must be true

[dibraidio]

Think the team and squad is progressively getting better and it feels like we are getting fitter and stronger with each passing month.

25 points from the last 10 games (Since Zaroury's full home debut)

We are now winning games we were drawing earlier on in the season.

The football is great to watch with truly fabulous players like Tella, Benson and Zaroury who get you out of your seat.

Twine, Churlinov and Westwood to come in to boost options.

One striker away from getting near to 100 points tbh.

There are no teams in this division (bar Sheff Utd at a pinch) that are as consistent as us.

At the start of the season, when we were dropping points, I wasn't that bothered as I was taking this season as a transitional one anyway. But I've seen enough now. We are quality and I want that trophy.

26 goals scored in those last 10 games, 8 more than any other team in the Championship. In that same period Blackburn have taken 17 points, Sheffield United 18 points. Coventry and Watford 20 and WBA and Millwall 19 have taken more but nobody else's form is even close to ours.

If we mirror our form for the second half of the season we'll finish on 94 points and score 92 goals, if we match our form from the last 10 games we'll finish on 104 points and score 105 goals! Taking into account that we've played Boro(14th), QPR(7th), Bastards(3rd), Sheff Utd(2nd), Reading(11th), Norwich(5th), Sunderland(12th), Birmingham(8th), Swansea(10th) and Coventry(13th) in those last 10 games you'd have to think that keeping up this sort of form is totally realistic.

Time to get the golden numbers thread going again.

[AGENT_CLARET]

The frightening thing for the rest of the Championship is we still don't know our starting xl and we haven't fully got going yet

[Guitargeorge]

I believe the board now need to be seriously planning for a successful campaign in the Premier League. Put “counting chickens” to one side, that preparation should be starting now. We need to cement Kompany’s presence, we need finance in place and, from that, build a squad capable of competing at the top table.