Can we stay up with what we have

[Newcastleclaret93]

If you find it shocking, turn over and watch City or someone who plays football you like

I liked the football we played with the likes of Defour in the team. We are not a million miles way from that we just need some quality in crucial positions. If we can improve CM and RM we could get back to that standard quickly

[RVclaret]

I liked the football we played with the likes of Defour in the team. We are not a million miles way from that we just need some quality in crucial positions. If we can improve CM and RM we could get back to that standard quickly

Agree with this. The ‘system / framework’ is there, it just needs a few quality, technical additions for our style of play to improve significantly. We saw that with Defour. To an extent we saw it once Vydra came in towards the back end of last season.

[superdimitri]

To be fair, a long ball properly executed is a work of art in it's own right. When we pull them off it can be esquisite.
However it's all percentages and for long balls 90% of the time it comes to nothing.

We have a few players that you know will thrive a lot more with some quality in the team. If it's gonna end up another season of lumps up top then so be it if it works, but we need to plan to the future again at some point.

I think if we keep players fit we would be okay, but the problem is just that. Squad depth is crap, so we desperately need two wingers. It's bare minium to have 2 players covering each position.

[claptrappers_union]

I think we need more strength in depth to stay up.

Not all gloom and doom yet, but I hope there’s significant investment in the squad in January

[Lancasterclaret]

Why? Do you think we play good football?

Just my opinion, I don’t like the football we play but I understand why we do it. I think if Dyche had better resources he would have us playing the football of a few years ago

We have the odd game where it is unwatchable dross, but that is the odd game

Our style has its critics, but when we attack like we can, it can also be great fun to watch

I for one wouldn't be turning up if it was as bad as you say

[claptrappers_union]

When did fans start caring about ‘good football’

[kentonclaret]

I think we need more strength in depth to stay up.

Not all gloom and doom yet, but I hope there’s significant investment in the squad in January

If we don't strengthen in key areas this window we definitely won't be doing it in January.

The club have stated repeatedly that prices in January are over inflated and that it is the worst window in which to do business.

Don't expect a sudden change in policy.

[dsr]

Long ball played well is better to watch than tippy-tappy played badly. Brighton are the opposite of us in style, but I don't think many of their fans in the bad runs were claiming that watching them play it out from the back and give goals away while getting nowhere the opposition goal, was fun to watch.

For that matter, I remember Arsenal fans booing their own team against us because they were trying to play it out from the back and doing it very badly.

[randomclaret2]

I think we need more strength in depth to stay up.

Not all gloom and doom yet, but I hope there’s significant investment in the squad in January

Why in January ? Why not in this Window ? If we spend nothing this window, which will be the new owners' second, where will they magic up the cash from in January ?

[bf2k]

Long ball played well is better to watch than tippy-tappy played badly. Brighton are the opposite of us in style, but I don't think many of their fans in the bad runs were claiming that watching them play it out from the back and give goals away while getting nowhere the opposition goal, was fun to watch.

For that matter, I remember Arsenal fans booing their own team against us because they were trying to play it out from the back and doing it very badly.

Agree with that in the main. A direct/long ball done right and well is probably the most effective way of playing football. The issue I've had with the long ball style we've played recently is when it's not played well and becomes hoof ball not only is it terrible to watch but also can play us into more trouble. I've watched us in games play aimless balls up to Vydra, who is never going to compete aerially, only for it to come straight back at our defence.

I also don't think we've the players anymore to play this way effectively. Barnes is only interested in a scrap, possibly because he's lost or losing to edge to compete in the way he used to. Jay Rod is not that sort of player, neither is Vydra. Our midfield isn't the biggest or most mobile to get up and support the forwards to create an overload and picking up 2nd balls. We possibly only have Wood & McNeil who can effective operate in that style of play. I think that is why Dyche changed the style in the 2nd half of last season.

[kentonclaret]

I think we need more strength in depth to stay up.

Not all gloom and doom yet, but I hope there’s significant investment in the squad in January

"We weren't able to find suitable players during the 12 week Summer Transfer Window, but just watch us do significant squad strengthening in the 4 weeks January Window and pay top Dollar in an always difficult market."

[Jamesy]

At first I thought your post was a wind up but you are really serious.

Oh well.

Course it is not a wind up. If you want to try and look clever with your sarcastic comments, crack on. Just because somebody may express opinions about our style of play does it really warrant a reply like this? I thought this was a forum for supporters to express their views, even if they aren’t consistent with yours or the majority on this board.

[Jamesy]

If you find it shocking, turn over and watch City or someone who plays football you like

What a daft thing to suggest just because someone expresses an opinion you disagree with.

[claretonthecoast1882]

What a daft thing to suggest just because someone expresses an opinion you disagree with.

Good job I didn't ask your opinion then. Just seems sensible if you don't enjoy something why watch it on tv ? I am sure you have an answer to this that is worth reading unlike your last attempt.

[Jamesy]

You don’t need to ask my opinion just read my previous posts.

[jrgbfc]

What a daft thing to suggest just because someone expresses an opinion you disagree with.

Some people seem to think being a supporter means you have to just blindly agree with everything the club or manager does.

[Spijed]

Some people seem to think being a supporter means you have to just blindly agree with everything the club or manager does.

On the flip side there are a number on here who criticise everything the club and manager does.

Surely there should be a balance

[claptrappers_union]

Why in January ? Why not in this Window ? If we spend nothing this window, which will be the new owners' second, where will they magic up the cash from in January ?

I meant on the presumption that we don't add to the squad in this window.

[Vintage Claret]

Why is it when Burnley do it, it's a 'long ball' but when Liverpool or Chelsea do it, it's a 'searching ball forward'?

[Spijed]

Why is it when Burnley do it, it's a 'long ball' but when Liverpool or Chelsea do it, it's a 'searching ball forward'?

Liverpool hoof it up to their front three far more often than we play a delicately weighted pass to Chris Wood.

[randomclaret2]

I meant on the presumption that we don't add to the squad in this window.

I take your point but I just dont see the new owners spending in January if they havent done so, for whatever reason, in their first two windows.

[RVclaret]

Liverpool hoof it up to their front three far more often than we play a delicately weighted pass to Chris Wood.

[claptrappers_union]

I take your point but I just dont see the new owners spending in January if they havent done so, for whatever reason, in their first two windows.

All I'm saying is that is if we don't add strength to the squad, it's my opinion that we won't stay in the Premier League.

I've been wrong for the last eight years though...

[jurek]

Much depends on whether we can remain relatively injury free.
If we lose 2 or more key players for any length of time then it's difficult
to see us not struggle

Hopefully we can still manage to bring in one, preferably two players who
can make a difference. Otherwise we'll be reliant on blooding a few youngsters.
if injuries occur. IF so, who knows they may well step up to the mark?

We're an aging squad and vulnerable to pace.
We'd need most of those starting to be at their best for most games.
A scenario that, if we're honest is more than unlikely.

I hope we can just scrape it but then we'll have a really big rebuilding job
next year. Much bigger than we have at present.

[randomclaret2]

All I'm saying is that is if we don't add strength to the squad, it's my opinion that we won't stay in the Premier League.

I've been wrong for the last eight years though...

I agree with you to be honest

[ecc]

I cannot believe that Jay and Barnsey are "finished". They will score more this season if they stay fit.

[tiger76]

I cannot believe that Jay and Barnsey are "finished". They will score more this season if they stay fit.

Well hopefully a proper pre-season will have done them both the world of good, and they've sounded lively enough in our friendlies, not that you can necessarily always read much into friendly games, but compared to the start of last season we've got pretty much a full strength XI for the Brighton match, remember last term we lined up at Leicester with Dunne & Kev Long at CB, so in that sense we're in a much happier place this time.

None of our forwards are going to bag 20 a season, certainly not in the Prem, but even if they can chip in with 6-8 apiece, and Wood notches his usual haul, then with a few from midfield, and the odd set-piece goal we should be looking to net more than last season, when we were horribly shy of goals.

It was only a couple of seasons ago that Ash notched 6 PL goals, and Jay managed 8 PL goals, despite both not playing in every match, so if they can return to those heights, they'll both be a vital cog in our machine.

[SGr]

Title of this thread haven’t been commenting much this summer but I’m guessing we’ve reached *this* stage of the process now?

[SGr]

To answer the question, I don’t know.

But I’m not someone who thinks it’s particularly wise to finish 17th then not improve the first team. Or not replace outgoing players.

[willsclarets]

I think if our key players stay fit, we should be ok. But it's a massive gamble. We've not signed a first 11 player since 2017/18 when Cork and Wood were bought. Sooner or later, that's going to bite you if you don't reinvest in the squad. It's a tough balance to strike, but the owners have to wager paying what's required with the potential loss of income that comes with relegation.

[beddie]

I think the quote from Phil McNulty - BBC sports writer just about sums it up for me.

“ Will Burnley's new American owners not only tap into what makes the club what it is in terms of personnel, but give Dyche the financial backing he so deserves? They must.

Dyche cannot be expected to keep working miracles. I wouldn't back against him providing his magic again, but there must be concerns.”

[randomclaret2]

I think the quote from Phil McNulty - BBC sports writer just about sums it up for me.

“ Will Burnley's new American owners not only tap into what makes the club what it is in terms of personnel, but give Dyche the financial backing he so deserves? They must.

Dyche cannot be expected to keep working miracles. I wouldn't back against him providing his magic again, but there must be concerns.”

He's tipped us to be relegated

[expoultryboy]

I think it will be touch and go as usual ( i don't mean prince andrew !) , but being so slow and uncreative in midfield does worry me .

[Silkyskills1]

Quite simply the answer is no.

[Spijed]

So in a few weeks Cork has deteriorated to now being past it.

Fair enough.

Wouldn't surprise me if some think Wood isn't good enough either.

[jedi_master]

We can and will stay up if we get full seasons out of Pope, Tarky, Mee, McNeil and Wood. A comfortable 13th-16th.

We desperately need some added creativty on the opposite flank so that we aren't so reliant on Dwight, if we get that (and the player in question fits in well and also stays fit), then you can up that to 10th-12th.

As rubbish as the last few transfer windows have been, the spine of the team remains of a very high standard - it's just the backups behind that which has left an awful lot to be desired and been SO noticeable when we have suffered injuries (especially last season). One high quality right winger and I will quite genuinely put my feet up and await another successful season.

End of this season though? Wow. Even if Dyche stays (no guarantee of that at all) we have an awful lot to do.