Thoughts at the halfway stage

[ecc]

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

That is true.

[Anonymous Claret]

I would have been very happy if we had been within a few points of the play off places after the massive turnaround of players at halfway ready for a strong push in the second half of the season once the team had become familiar with each other. This has completely exceeded my expectations and week on week we are seeing all of this team improve every week. A little word for my favorite player and one who seems to go under the radar a little who I believe is instrumental in the way we play-Josh Cullen. There is a reason VK was desperate to sign this guy because his intelligence and reading of the game is on another level.

[Quickenthetempo]

I would have been very happy if we had been within a few points of the play off places after the massive turnaround of players at halfway ready for a strong push in the second half of the season once the team had become familiar with each other. This has completely exceeded my expectations and week on week we are seeing all of this team improve every week. A little word for my favorite player and one who seems to go under the radar a little who I believe is instrumental in the way we play-Josh Cullen. There is a reason VK was desperate to sign this guy because his intelligence and reading of the game is on another level.

Cullen is the one that helped implement VKs system as quick as we have.
Bringing him with him was a masterstroke, saved 3/4 months of learning.

[Quickenthetempo]

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

To be fair, we have had 10 years of only Centre forwards scoring.

[ClaretLoup]

By way of comparison.

At the halfway stage in 2015 -2016 the Clarets had NINE points less, had lost five games and scored 16 goals fewer.

In 2013 -2014 Burnley had three points less, had lost three games and scored 13 goals fewer, however they were a bit tighter at the back with eight fewer goals conceded.

It really is a whacko league this year's Championship, Blackburn in 3rd place have lost the same amount of games as Wigan in 23rd.

The only danger is that at some stage we take our foot off the gas, somehow under VK I can't see this happening.

[Jakubs Tash]

Much, much better than I had anticipated. I remember the relief walking away from the ground after the Huddersfield game that it had gone well.

As a supporter, once I made peace with the fact that we would trade goals and be a very different animal than BFC of the last 9/10 years it became much more enjoyable.

Those first few home games (Luton, Hull, Blackpool) were hugely frustrating but now I can see this was clearly new players bedding in and learning to play with each other. I think we win all 3 of those games if they happen now.

It's very important that, when it's a tight game and chances are few and far between, we keep the faith, keep playing our football and trusting that it will come good. We have so many good players for this level that we will always create chances throughout a 90+ minute game of football.

I'm loving the style, the exciting wingers and the number of goals. It's an absolute joy to watch!

We are in a very strong position now BUT we are only half way through the season and it is very important that we don't get complacent, don't start reading our own press and keep pushing on.

If you haven't enjoyed the first half of the season then you must be a real misery guts!!

[Notsosuperstevedavis]

I agree. I thought the ‘goals shared’ spiel was corporate speak for:

‘We couldnt afford a striker’ or ‘our target didnt want to come’

I openly told fans of other teams we could be 1st or last this season.

I was a little concerned that a new manager, philosophy, and 16 new additions would take more time than it has and would cost us points here and there over the course of the season.

I was fully on board with the VK revolution and was convinced it was going to be one hell of a ride.

The CLUB get A* for me.

Pace has pulled a rabbit out of the hat and chequebook out the pocket and VK has seemingly got every move right.

I’m so comfortable, I wasnt that fussed when we went 0-1 down against Boro.

[midsummersday]

THE SMILE IS BACK ON CLARETS FACES,this team are a pleasure to watch,and after years of dour survival up among the big boys,we now go into
games expecting to win,the other teams seem to be also rans,[for we are superior]......vinny and staff have done a superb job so far,but i fear
the more success he gets the vultures of the wealthy clubs will be circling,we have a star,can we keep him,for how long.He is also the most
likable guy in football we are so lucky to have got him.Thanks vincent for turning things round after a season of torment,and thanks also to our
owners for this drastic turnabout.

[Tribesmen]

To be Honest i did think if we got to the play offs we would have done well this season .

Now we do look by far the best side in the championship but we are only half way as we need to keep pushing playing well and getting results .

We will be top at the end of the season .

[Lancasterclaret]

Brilliant

Top of the league and the b**tards dispatched in the most one sided way possible

[BurnleyFC]

It’s been a fantastic first half of the season. The best in a long, long time.

Well done to VK, his coaching staff and the players. Credit to Alan Pace for the appointment too.

Now let’s get the job done.

[MT03ALG]

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

No ? Does that mean you think we will get more than 96 ?

[KateR]

given everything that went on, the wait for the manager, the screaming regarding how low the fees were we accepted for our previous "stars", plus the incoming of so many players I'd never heard of, and the daddy of them all, without a striker we'll never do well enough! I have to say we are far far ahead of what I expected in terms of what I'm watching and I still find it hard, have been waiting for the shoe to drop, in terms of league place but it really does appear we are the real deal.

Good test coming up that should show where we are in terms of what to expect next season, provided we can keep this up of course.

[nonayclaret]

A lot of teams seem to come to Turf with the intent of a draw with a possible "nick it on the break" policy; lots of time wasting and diving spoiling some games. They seem to know that we will paste them if they don't do this type of approach. We have also got far better at playing out from the back which was an initial worry when I first saw it at Huddersfield, although there are still worrying moments!
I think teams genuinely seem to fear us now though. Sheff Utd at home should be interesting test of that theory though

[RVclaret]

Good test coming up that should show where we are in terms of what to expect next season, provided we can keep this up of course.

Personally wouldn't say a cup game away at a top 4 club at this stage will gives us any ideas on next season.

- we would expect VK will significantly improve the first 11 in the summer
- it's a one off cup game against a team (probably) of back up players
- there's still a lot of development left over the course of the season for our own team, as a collective and individuals

Should be a cracking game, though, looking forward to seeing some Kompany ball at Old Trafford.

[2 Bee Holed]

No ? Does that mean you think we will get more than 96 ?

There is obviously something humourous to you about the figure of 96 points.

My argument is there is at least a simplified mathematical argument for saying we will get to 94 points.

However, you are doing no one any harm banging on about 96 points, I hope you are enjoying yourself.

[Bowclaret]

I’m 53 and the night before games I’m like a little kid before Christmas as I simply can not wait to watch this magnificent team. I’ve been starved of entertaining football and that is NOT a dig at Dyche he worked miracles for us. But this football now is a dream. Players like Benson, Anass, Tella are a dream to watch and we still have Darko and Twine to come in - I’m drooling ! We ripped Rovers apart and it could and should have been about 5 or 6 and like was said earlier the signs were there against Huddersfield. Cherry on the cake would be to confirm promotion at Deadwood Simply brilliant and more to come.

[FCBurnley]

I WAS WRONG.

[summitclaret]

It's not just the attacking talent that is exciting. All of the back 4 brought in are superb ball playing footballers and are complented by the defensive nous of Cork and Cullen.

Also, the team has what we have never had apart from Ings, pace. All of Vitineo, Maatsen, Tella, Benson and Anass have pace to burn.

Not to forget the freeing up of Brownhill and the clear footballing skills of Jay.

[Dingo]

Delighted. I’m expecting teams will vary their tactics more against against us in the second half of the season so I’m intrigued to see how VK adapts to a more varied challenge. And keen to see how our young players handle the mental challenge of being the front runners, especially towards the end of the season as we get closer to getting over the line.

[Cirrus_Minor]

I thought with all of young players brought in and the players who left us that we may be looking over our shoulders from a mid table position. We started with a passing style that seemed to be weakish in the last third, that seems to be sorted. We seemed to be poor on dead balls, either end, that seems to be improving. Appeared to be vulnerable against direct style teams (eg Sheffield United) I think we have improved there too.

The concern over having too many young foreign players is now a bonus with squad depth. Well done to Vincent Komany and his team.