After five games, what have we learnt to date?

[Chobulous]

Burnley - A total lack of imagination will cost us this season

Stoke - Their default style of play has been severely compromised by the new initiative on penalising holding in the penalty box. Shawcross, in particular, may as well be a spectator. They will continue to leak goals until they sign a couple of defenders who can actually defend legally.

[CumbrianClaret]

We have learnt that the massive over reactions from some on this forum are continuing in earnest .

[kentonclaret]

"Lacking width, a playmaker and a plan"

No, not Burnley but Manchester United (according to the BBC sports website).

[Top Claret]

Has far as Burnley are concerned they have learnt little from there EPL experience of 2 years ago, we have still little pace or creativity.

Our wide midfield players and full backs are not good enough for the EPL and this should have been addressed in this and previous transfer windows.

The manager says he targets the players and the board do the rest, in my opinion they have both let the club down. I honestly believe that the way forward is to employ a foreign manager who has contacts on the continent, all the British managers are struggling to make an impact.

[ontario claret]

Agree on the January investment thing. Not sure about the rest. If we became, say, Southampton, we wouldn't have the same kind of supporters or ground, and, for me, that means everything.

[ontario claret]

The worms are about to turn at ManU.

[California Colner]

We can't find a man with the ball when a forward pass is kicked
Great at passing backwards
Opposition knows where the ball is going before we do
Opposition defenders don't need a shower after the game they never break into a sweat
Gray needs Velcro on his boots can't keep the ball within 10 yards of them
No pace what so ever

[ashtonlongsider]

That the PL is a lot better than in 14/15 season. As for 'us', I worry. The phrase Deja Vu comes to mind. Giving the ball away too easily, conceding goals at vital times (panic), getting turned over far too easily, especially away from home, and a general lack of quality. A glimmer of hope at the week-end was a change of formation. If we are to get any type of foothold in games at this level, IMO we need 5 in midfield. Just a question of picking the right 5 who can working unison with the back 4 and who links up with the 1 upfront (whoever is the best option), personally not sure about AG.
On the plus side we have a great keeper, a good central defence partnership, Defour is only going to get better and if Marney stays fit he will be a major asset as I think he along with Boyd could be key in a 5.

[KRBFC]

I haven't learnt anything about us, I knew we were hopeless at this level and certain to be whipping boys. Iv learnt Dyche definitely isn't good enough at this level. This is his side now, built with a lot of money to compete. No excuses, English managers are prehistoric dinosaurs.

[JarrowClaret]

Hull aren't as bad as everyone said they'd be.

We aren't as bad as some fans would have you believe, although I accept we haven't started great but pretty much where I thought we'd be let's see what happens over the next few weeks.

[Vino blanco]

After 60 years I've just learnt my 8 times table. That'll do for me.

[ewanrob]

Simples...little fish, humongous pond. We are a work in progress, if we can survive this season there's every chance we can stay here for a while given the infrastructure investment. Oh, and loyalty although very admirable, is often not always a wise move.

[ontario claret]

Sorry, ewanrob. My heart won't let me support any other team (except a non-league minnow, that's no threat to BFC) at this stage of my life, or ever. That's why I chose an English league team in the first place. No chance of being taken over by Croatian knuckle-draggers. Nobody was going to make me change my mind, and they never will.

[John Johnson 1605]

We have learnt that

Sean Dyche must be offered a 10 year contract. Professional relationships with Joey Barton just one example of his superb man management. where most failed he brought out the best.

That I can't decide whether my head or heart rules in the potential resigning of Barton.

That Aiden O' Neill is going to be one hell of a prospect.

That Defour, even in the current market represents fabulous value.

That Hendricks does not.

That Gary Neville is a spoilt prima donna.

That the Premier League is overated, over hyped and largely dull.

That Michael Keane will captain England.

That Andre Gray is a simply a product of his class.

That Accrington Clarets set off terribly early to games.

That the failure to beat Hull and Swansea will probably see us relegated.

That we should be relieved that our club has not been sold to foreign "Vanity owners."

That the Crooked Billet is a superb pre and post match venue.

That Brian Moore should be ashamed of himself.

That Gary Lineker is the vainest man this side of Warren Beaty.

That Adrian Durham will always be an arsehole.

That half and half scarves encompass the killing of passion.

That Sky charge too much for their sport packages.

That fanzines have had their day.

That pudding and chips from the Park View tastes better at night.

That Accrington Stanley are a fantastic club.

That despite a number of arseholes this website can be superb.

Despite me getting a number of things completely wrong in September I still absolutely stand by number 1.

Absolutely imperative that we make a long term commitment to Sean !

[Wile E Coyote]

by long term commitment, what exactly do you have in mind ?

[Sidney1st]

by long term commitment, what exactly do you have in mind ?

I think they want to marry Dyche.

[John Johnson 1605]

I'm sure the board see Sean as the best manager in the game (certainly in terms of the club's size). The key to our continued development lies with a stable board and management team; I really hope Mr Garlick opens negotiations on a 5-10 year contract. Of course SD may Be reluctant, but I'd certainly be initiating a charm offensive, on a daily basis if necessary.

[Wile E Coyote]

cannot see it being possible to keep him, he's too good and we're too small. sad but true.

[Colburn_Claret]

I haven't learnt anything about us, I knew we were hopeless at this level and certain to be whipping boys. Iv learnt Dyche definitely isn't good enough at this level. This is his side now, built with a lot of money to compete. No excuses, English managers are prehistoric dinosaurs.

This just had to be bumped

[Wile E Coyote]

I'm sure the board see Sean as the best manager in the game (certainly in terms of the club's size). The key to our continued development lies with a stable board and management team; I really hope Mr Garlick opens negotiations on a 5-10 year contract. Of course SD may Be reluctant, but I'd certainly be initiating a charm offensive, on a daily basis if necessary.

I take your point, but realistically it isn't going to happen. Ferguson and Wenger were long term , but their respective clubs were massive by comparison.
Sean Dyche embarked on a journey with us, he may have believed he was a good manager at the outset, but now he has proved to himself just how good he is. Unfortunately for Burnley that is where it becomes problematic. It doesnt take a positive comment on MOTD to make the football world take notice, they already know.
Its anyone's guess where we will end up, I hope with the current infrastructure at the club, there will be a legacy that will ensure the replacement can carry on the good work.
If he is being seen as the best in the premier league, it is only a matter of time before a move is arranged.
I obviously will dread that day arriving, as will all of us Clarets, but just look at the career moves of all the top European coaches, hardly the types for hanging about too long anywhere are they ?

[Colburn_Claret]

All true, but I don't think the journeys finished yet.
If we continue in the same vein, and premiership stability is achieved, there aren't that many clubs out there that could offer him a better, or safer, position. More money definitely but there is more to life than that.

I think SD will eventually leave, because he wants to test himself, taking the easy option doesn't fit his character.

[John Johnson 1605]

Well argued response Wile, I certainly share much of what you say.

I do think it will be difficult to keep Sean, however, he might, just might, be different and fancy a long term project. As I say if I were the Chairman I'd be selling the possibilities at every opportunity.

The other thing is that there are only a fairly limited amount of clubs SD could go to ?

[NRC]

Sydney........ "they"

[Wile E Coyote]

He must surely be thinking if I can do this with Burnley, then what could I achieve with gazillions to spend.

I think he is a man of integrity, I would love for him to stay here and take the club even further.

[BleedingClaret]

Dyche can build something here that he wouldn't be allowed to do elsewhere.
I think we are unique in modern football and Dyches strength was reading our situation exactly as it was, is, at any given time.
The perfect example was accepting the Charlie Austin transfer out at such a sensitive time.
His reality of the situation, Clarity, the market we are in sermons, that have come across often as cliched and repetitive are actually just what he said they were, the reality of the situation and his relentless pursuit of the players and the attributes that allow achievements beyond the expected is crucial to his and our success.
He may never be allowed such control of a football club again.
For me if he cheats himself, not us cos he done more than we could have dreamed of, and tries to jump up many levels and replicate Burnley on an Aston Villa for example level is when he may realise as has Joey Barton that Burnley weren't bigger than Rangers but for him we're better.
Mr Dyche should take this to the limit.

[No Ney Never]

With only four games remaining, is there much difference between many of the above posts and how things have worked out this season?