What has surprised you the most this season

Firthy · Post by **Firthy** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:28 pm

As per the title, which of the following has surpised you the most.

1) The amazing reveal videos of new signings
2) The way Pace and Co have completely transformed the club
3) How good VK has been as a manager
4) The number and quality of new players signed
5) Our position in the league

Pretty much all of them have pleasantly surprised me but the one that stands out above the others is the reveal videos. Probably the least important od them all but I never thought I'd see anything like that from our small little home town club.

Milltown1882 · Post by **Milltown1882** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:30 pm

5, hands up I thought we were nailed on for back to back relegations with all the departures.

chekhov · Post by **chekhov** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:31 pm

Got to be the reveal videos for me. Everything else pales into insignificance.

Cornwallclaret · Post by **Cornwallclaret** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:32 pm

All of the above

Bordeauxclaret · Post by **Bordeauxclaret** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:33 pm

The way Kompany has got so many new players to adapt to a new style so quickly.

Devils_Advocate · Post by **Devils_Advocate** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:33 pm

Spijed's negativity

JohnDearyMe · Post by **JohnDearyMe** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:34 pm

4) The number and quality of new players signed

Finally making some quality signings en masse from outside the UK

Burnley1989 · Post by **Burnley1989** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:35 pm

The way our defence and back 5 have managed, I was a little worried after 3-4 games that the defence side would cost us in most games.

There’s currently nothing about this side that worries me really (in this league anyway

)

Firthy · Post by **Firthy** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:36 pm

Devils_Advocate wrote: ↑
Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:33 pm
Spijed's negativity

Only you could find a way of bringing negativity into this thread

Anyway, try again that wasn't one of the options

Bosscat · Post by **Bosscat** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:36 pm

1) The amazing reveal videos of new signings
2) The way Pace and Co have completely transformed the club
3) How good VK has been as a manager
4) The number and quality of new players signed
5) Our position in the league
6) all of the above......

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:37 pm

Style of play for me, we knew it would be a radical change, but this has been chalk and cheese from what we've been used to recently.

Results have been an added bonus as at best I thought a PO challenge would be our limit.

Recruitment has also been a breath of fresh air, transfer windows are now to be enjoyed and not just for the reveal vids.

Devils_Advocate · Post by **Devils_Advocate** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:40 pm

Firthy wrote: ↑
Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:36 pm
Only you could find a way of bringing negativity into this thread Anyway, try again that wasn't one of the options

Sorry, i've got to be honest and admit I didnt read your opening post but trying to pick a favourite out of your list is bloody hard cos they've all been surprisingly amazing. As I can't pick one I'll stick with Spijed's negativity please

winsomeyen · Post by **winsomeyen** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:42 pm

Price of Bene ont Turf.

Vino blanco · Post by **Vino blanco** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:47 pm

Apart from the points mentioned in the op, I've been pleased to see the Turf Moor home stands being full or almost full for many of our Championship games: the atmosphere generated has been great and must be helping our young team.

houseboy · Post by **houseboy** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:49 pm

To be honest the most surprising thing to me is none of the above, although all are great, it’s the attendances. Never in my time have we, in the second tier, had average crowds of 20k. I struggle to get tickets most of the time because when we go there are four of us usually and getting four seats together seems damn near impossible. We are there for the North End game because my daughter managed to get the last four seats in a block. Not good for us but great for the club and long may it continue.

Rowls · Post by **Rowls** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:51 pm

How quickly and thoroughly we appear to have learned from our mistakes.

Woodleyclaret · Post by **Woodleyclaret** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:54 pm

Getting beaten by Sheffield Utd
They look a very poor second to us since

Carwin261 · Post by **Carwin261** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:59 pm

How all the past it,& not good enough players from last season have suddenly re found their mojos.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 10:01 pm

Has to be our position in the league.

When we kicked off at Huddersfield, I’d no idea how well or how badly we might do this season. It was no more than an ok start with just four wins in the first twelve games as more and more new players came in and began to settle.

Then it all took off. Fourteen wins in the last sixteen games is unbelievable. From hoping we might get a play off place after those first twelve games to now being more than confident that we won’t be in the play offs.

Kompany impressed me from day one in so many ways but I never expected us to be this good.

jedi_master · Post by **jedi_master** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 10:05 pm

The gelling of these players and the style of football. It’s genuinely a joy going to games, I cannot wait for the next one each time. It’s just an incredibly nice feeling after a few difficult seasons with Covid, performances and then relegation. Delighted we look like we’re going up but it’s really for the clubs health as opposed to wanting to get back to the PL. I have loved being in the Championship again.

bfcjg · Post by **bfcjg** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 10:07 pm

The joy of watching Burnley again.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 10:10 pm

Woodleyclaret wrote: ↑
Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:54 pm
Getting beaten by Sheffield Utd
They look a very poor second to us since

Clearly that was just a minor blip in what is shaping up to be an extraordinary season, and the response has been amazing reeling off 8 wins on the spin.

FCBurnley · Post by **FCBurnley** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 10:15 pm

Kompany and all he brings to the club and Pace for giving him the chance. Also a big heads up for Bellamy and Mike Jackson who clearly have key roles.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 10:15 pm

jedi_master wrote: ↑
Wed Jan 25, 2023 10:05 pm
I have loved being in the Championship again.

Until you have to watch a match at Kenilworth Road

Nonayforever · Post by **Nonayforever** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 10:17 pm

Every fan ( well almost ) is happy with the football on display and all the supporting roles surrounding the football.
It's a pleasure to talk to any fan about the club now.

Swizzlestick · Post by **Swizzlestick** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 10:19 pm

Kompany has been a revelation on and off the field. I think we were all broadly impressed with the appointment, but I for one certainly thought he would need time to implement his ideas, not least after losing pretty much our entire defensive unit. The way he has brought these players in and introduced such a radically different style of play in such a short space of time is nothing short of astounding - and doing this while being clear at the top of the league is nothing short of astonishing. Off the pitch, he has been utter class - ex players of his stature can sometimes have a 'big time charlie' attitude but there's been nothing of the sort. He has always emphasised the team mentality while showing all the qualities that made him a leader and winner at City. We were a club completely shell-shocked in the immediate aftermath of Dyche leaving. He (along with Pace it has to be said) has totally rejuvenated the club.

jedi_master · Post by **jedi_master** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 10:34 pm

ClaretTony wrote: ↑
Wed Jan 25, 2023 10:15 pm
Until you have to watch a match at Kenilworth Road

Can’t wait! Bucket list one for me. Give me that crazy terrace entrance over The Emirates any day

jurek · Post by **jurek** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 10:35 pm

All of those mentioned plus

the way we play and our never say die attitude

and as also mentioned
the return of the fans and support both home and away

and last but not least

the smiles on players and fans' faces

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 10:36 pm

What surprised me is that we are back in the Premier league and it's only the end of January...that's some achievement.

Bin Ont Turf · Post by **Bin Ont Turf** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 10:47 pm

Everything has surprised me. None of this was supposed to happen after the last kick of last season.

I shouldn't be surprised though, because this little club in the @rse end of nowhere has always been different gravy.

It's 'kin beautiful.

HunterST_BFC · Post by **HunterST_BFC** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 10:50 pm

Kit Sponsor CFS's - great move!

Grimsdale · Post by **Grimsdale** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 10:56 pm

That the home kit, which I thought was a monstrosity when it was released, has actually grown on me.

chipbutty · Post by **chipbutty** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 11:05 pm

Woodleyclaret wrote: ↑
Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:54 pm
Getting beaten by Sheffield Utd
They look a very poor second to us since

I haven't thought that they've looked a poor second since, never mind very poor.
Stoll 5 points behind us and the stats since are...
BFC won 9, lost 1
Sheffield United won 8 drawn 1, lost 1.
Your standards must be high if you think that's very poor form!!

RammyClaret61 · Post by **RammyClaret61** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 11:08 pm

bfcjg wrote: ↑
Wed Jan 25, 2023 10:07 pm
The joy of watching Burnley again.

And football without bloody VAR.

TommyPicks · Post by **TommyPicks** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 11:34 pm

Genuinely think this season when we look back on it in years to come will be one of the most fondly remembered ever.

Literally everything has just clicked all at once. We have a new manager who’s style and philosophy is completely different to anything we have seen in the past 20 years, and we’re 18 points clear of 3rd place in January. Not only that but the squad seems as together as what it did in the peak Dyche years. Extremely commendable given the amount of new players and personalities coming into the dressing room.

A complete shift in how we operate in the transfer window, tapping into foreign markets and making a success of these (Benson, Zaroury etc). The Dale Stephen’s transfer window is a long and distant memory, thankfully.

There’s definitely been a shift in how we are perceived in the football community. Teams are envious of our style of play, exciting foreign talent and Kompany who is seen as a fashionable manager with credentials to go far in management. Credit to Alan Pace for giving him a chance and allowing the club to flourish.

Our home shirt is a retro throwback to the 90’s with a modern day sponsor, and one well thought of by football fans generally. I can’t remember a home shirt in the last 20 years that has gone down as well as this one. They’ve got their finger on the pulse with the retro thing too. There’s a huge market for that amongst football fans these days.

Huge praise too for the media team. From a brief browse of Twitter earlier, multiple footy accounts were praising our announcement video for Lyle Foster. When I last looked this had 7.4 million views. You can see how they want to change the shape and feel of the club, and no one can say it isn’t at least making an impression. I always thought we were a bit cringe with our media presence in the past, especially around the 2009 era, but this side of it has completely evolved.

To have shaken the unfashionable, dull ‘Brexit Burnley’ tag is such a short space of time is quite remarkable. In the beginning of Pace taking over, I laughed when he claimed he wanted Burnley to become everyone’s favourite underdog. Whilst this might be a stretch, perceptions are altering in undeniably positive ways.

CnBtruntru · Post by **CnBtruntru** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 11:36 pm

Price of a pint and a twix FFS.

Pickles · Post by **Pickles** » Wed Jan 25, 2023 11:49 pm

How well we're doing after capitulating so easily against Newcastle in that pre-season friendly in Portugal.

JohnMac · Post by **JohnMac** » Thu Jan 26, 2023 12:00 am

Someone in Authority finding the key to the Dry Powder Store!

JohnMac · Post by **JohnMac** » Thu Jan 26, 2023 12:02 am

Sorry, that translates from American to English as No 2

Clive 1960 · Post by **Clive 1960** » Thu Jan 26, 2023 12:42 am

For me it's been a breath of fresh air all over the club and no negativity and let's be honest who would have thought that we would have taken the league by storm , not me I thought it would take at least one season to get it together but credit to all the staff and players and the fans who have come back in the thousands to watch the CLARETS.

blatherwickstattoos · Post by **blatherwickstattoos** » Thu Jan 26, 2023 12:56 am

Kompany has been a revelation. The signings are unbelievable. Our football is incredible, we have full houses in the second tier of football . Mr pace is a marketing genius . Cue South African clarets , we are in the renaissance years and long may it continue

Buxtonclaret · Post by **Buxtonclaret** » Thu Jan 26, 2023 1:12 am

Absolutely everything has surprised me.
Has to be a combination of where we are in the league & VKs contribution as manager.
How he has sourced a team, mostly made up of players who don't know each other, playing so effectively, so quickly, and evolving at the same pace, is remarkable.
Someone has already mentioned ' learning from our mistakes'. That's been integral.
It's been a superb ride so far.
I've even grown accustomed to our new keepers style! ( well, nearly )

It's been a spectacular season. Looking forward to the buisness end now. And how far this team can evolve further.

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Thu Jan 26, 2023 6:46 am

the attendances

NottsClaret · Post by **NottsClaret** » Thu Jan 26, 2023 6:58 am

chipbutty wrote: ↑
Wed Jan 25, 2023 11:05 pm
I haven't thought that they've looked a poor second since, never mind very poor.

Yeah, agree on that. Sheff Utd fully deserved their win against us, they were miles better on the day and their record is only a fraction less astonishing than ours. The title race will go right to the wire I reckon.

Which brings me on to another surprising aspect.. how we responded to that drubbing. We’re still far from perfect at defending set pieces but with a height disadvantage against most sides it hasn’t been quite as calamitous as that day at Bramhall Lane suggested.

Lord Beamish · Post by **Lord Beamish** » Thu Jan 26, 2023 7:16 am

My re-appearance on the Turf after a near three year absence.

boatshed bill · Post by **boatshed bill** » Thu Jan 26, 2023 7:21 am

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Thu Jan 26, 2023 7:25 am

Got to be the style of play and the success with such a huge turnover of players

It is nothing short of remarkable

andyh · Post by **andyh** » Thu Jan 26, 2023 7:32 am

Buxtonclaret wrote: ↑
Thu Jan 26, 2023 1:12 am
How he has sourced a team, mostly made up of players who don't know each other, playing so effectively, so quickly, and evolving at the same pace, is remarkable.

Totally agree with the rest of your post but strangely our new players probably knew much more about each other than we did. We’ve shopped in one very specific place largely. And that is helped by the hero status of our manager in that country.

HiThere · Post by **HiThere** » Thu Jan 26, 2023 7:50 am

The style of play and league position hasn't been that surprising. After watching Anderlecht under Kompany and knowing how he worked under Pep this has been the least bit of a surprise.

What has surprised me is how quickly new signings have settled in. Players such as Benson and Zaroury have come from abroad and took to the side like a duck to water. Bringing in Cullen I think was a masterstroke as he knew VK's system and so helped the rest of the team play.

Ric_C · Post by **Ric_C** » Thu Jan 26, 2023 8:16 am

What has surprised me most is how prophetic Kompany was at the start of the season.

Said that he expected us to be near the playoffs before the world cup but we would get much better after it as the players would know the system more.

Also said he wasn't too worried about the strikers as we would share the goals across the team.

Been spot on so far. If anything we are ahead of where even he thought we'd be.