What is your ambition now for this season? And beyond?

What is it about the premier league and finishing in a position where we will never win anything and our best hope is to finish in a position to get in Europe only to want to be knocked out when we get there that excites you?

What are you most excited about this season? Do you want us to compete in The League and FA Cups?

This isn't a dig at anyone. Just intrigued to understand the psychology behind it.

What has been your best moment watching the clarets?

I want us to be competitive in the Premier League.
It's the place to be.
FA Cup run would be nice.
League Cup is essentially a reserve League Cup till the semi-finals.
Best moment recently was Robbie's goal against ManU in '09.

Ambition for this season...

(1) Maintain Premier League status- thereby allowing us to improve the club in whatever way is necessary; e.g. developing playing squad and style, ground improvements, scouting network, increasing commercial opportunities and so on.
(2) Good run in the cups.

Truthfully I’ll accept 17th spot if it means that we continue to develop and establish ourselves as a legitimate “big” club in English football. I’ll want more but I’d take that...

I struggle to understand how any real Burnley fan wanted us to drop out of Europe, I'm gutted we didn't qualify for the tournament, back to boring Thursdays.

gawthorpe_view wrote:I want us to be competitive in the Premier League.
It's the place to be.
FA Cup run would be nice.
League Cup is essentially a reserve League Cup till the semi-finals.
Best moment recently was Robbie's goal against ManU in '09.

So finish between 8th and 17th in the Premier League then?
FA Cup semi-final maybe (wouldn't want to win it and get into Europe)? Or maybe get to the final as long as we could guarantee losing!

I never understood those who wanted out of the Europa League so we could play it safe in the Premier League. It was fabulous seeing the European teams and players.

We should be marching on, by right, in Europe.

We worked so hard to get here. Ludicrous to throw the opportunity away.

BurnleyPaul wrote:Ambition for this season...

(1) Maintain Premier League status- thereby allowing us to improve the club in whatever way is necessary; e.g. developing playing squad and style, ground improvements, scouting network, increasing commercial opportunities and so on.
(2) Good run in the cups.

Truthfully I’ll accept 17th spot if it means that we continue to develop and establish ourselves as a legitimate “big” club in English football. I’ll want more but I’d take that...

Yeah, winning stuff is for losers!

The chance of a lifetime blown because of the limitations of the Board
Dyche will be gone next season if we stay up

I notice how the OP has put it across in a way that's asking for opinions, yet at the same time saying, "And it doesn't matter what you reply with - you're not a real fan if you don't want the same thing I do". It comes across as a dig - not a genuine interest.

martin_p wrote:So finish between 8th and 17th in the Premier League then?
FA Cup semi-final maybe (wouldn't want to win it and get into Europe)? Or maybe get to the final as long as we could guarantee losing!

4th place would do me, Champion's League qualifiers next summer.

gawthorpe_view wrote:4th place would do me, Champion's League qualifiers next summer.

As long as we get knocked out immediately presumably. Wouldn't want to risk losing our Premier League status.

I doubt anyone is happy about it.

I very much doubt that any Claret is `happy` to be out of Europe. Can anyone honestly say they wouldn`t have been jumping up and down in sheer delight had we drawn a Lazio or an AC Milan, for example? The stuff of dreams! I think there were a sizable amount of supporters who feared our squad size and injuries to key players, allied to the Thursday/Sunday fixtures, was and would damage our Premier League performances. I would say it was having a detrimental effect on our early season form with the team seemingly nowhere near last season`s level of performance, fluidity and fitness (the latter possibly not the case).

Dyche`s teams do seem to do better with a routine so let`s see how in goes from here on in.

I would dearly like us to reach the quarter-finals in either of the domestic cup competitions (Watford away way back when in the FA Cup still hurts!) and would be pleased with a comfortable mid-table finish in the Premier League.

My greatest moment watching Burnley will always be, I suspect, York City away when I was 19. A special, SPECIAL night.

KRBFC wrote:I struggle to understand how any real Burnley fan wanted us to drop out of Europe, I'm gutted we didn't qualify for the tournament, back to boring Thursdays.

I couldn't agree more. Last season was a one off,so the chances are we are not going to see European football again at the Turf.

martin_p wrote:So finish between 8th and 17th in the Premier League then?
FA Cup semi-final maybe (wouldn't want to win it and get into Europe)? Or maybe get to the final as long as we could guarantee losing!

No more FA cup semi final defeats please I still haven’t got over the last one .

FactualFrank wrote:I notice how the OP has put it across in a way that's asking for opinions, yet at the same time saying, "And it doesn't matter what you reply with - you're not a real fan if you don't want the same thing I do". It comes across as a dig - not a genuine interest.

OK then.

cricketfieldclarets wrote: OK then.

"What is it about the premier league and finishing in a position where we will never win anything"
"and our best hope is to finish in a position to get in Europe only to want to be knocked out when we get there that excites you?"

That's a dig and you know it.

I’m ambivalent about it(leaving the Europa). It would’ve been very nice to progress, but we didn’t have a snowball in Hell’s chance of winning it, and when it comes to hey lads, hey, the Premier League, and our continued presence in it, is the bread and butter of the Club. Staying in it, which is in no way guaranteed now we don’t have the burden of extra games in Europe, will give us more chance of Silverware(FA Cup, League Cup) in the medium term future. Though, again, there is no guarantee of that.
Our little European Run was a treat, but I can’t help but think that it probably came a few years to early for us to consider it an equal priority to staying in the Top Flight.

Lord Beamish wrote:I’m ambivalent about it(leaving the Europa). It would’ve been very nice to progress, but we didn’t have a snowball in Hell’s chance of winning it, and when it comes to hey lads, hey, the Premier League, and our continued presence in it, is the bread and butter of the Club. Staying in it, which is in no way guaranteed now we don’t have the burden of extra games in Europe, will give us more chance of Silverware(FA Cup, League Cup) in the medium term future. Though, again, there is no guarantee of that.
Our little European Run was a treat, but I can’t help but think that it probably came a few years to early for us to consider it an equal priority to staying in the Top Flight.

We haven’t got a snowballs chance in Hell of winning the Premier League might as well give up then.

joey13 wrote:We haven’t got a snowballs chance in Hell of winning the Premier League might as well give up then.

What could happen is we cement our status in the Premier League for a few more seasons, by slowly improving the squad every season, which then generates investment and helps us grow even more. Then, in a few seasons we're in Europe, but with a deeper squad to cope with the demands. Nobody would have thought Leicester would win the title, or Man City would when they were in the 3rd tier. But the goal of any club has to eventually be to win the Premier League. It doesn't matter what division you're in.

FactualFrank wrote:What could happen is we cement our status in the Premier League for a few more seasons, by slowly improving the squad every season, which then generates investment and helps us grow even more. Then, in a few seasons we're in Europe, but with a deeper squad to cope with the demands. Nobody would have thought Leicester would win the title, or Man City would when they were in the 3rd tier. But the goal of any club has to eventually be to win the Premier League. It doesn't matter what division you're in.

I was being sarcastic

When the game started last night, there was only one result I wanted and that was a burnley win. The reason I was perhaps less excited than some in general about it, is because I didn't think we had the squad to compete in both and the priority is always the premier league. I wouldn't say I was adamant we should be out of Europe, but I'd have been a lot more enthusiastic about the competition if Dyche had got in the players we needed. And I have to say, after a great performance and an initial feeling of disappointment there is some relief! I understand what you mean about the futility of the premier league, but The Europa is hardly a competition we could feasibly win, either.

The idea that we get a chance to beat the very best is exciting, taking on Man City, Man United etc. I want to stay in the premier league and carry on progressing as a team, and this year I'd say that doesn't mean coming 6th but a stable mid-table finish. Staying here longer increases our chances of getting better players on the pitch, I want more (non-injured) Defours in Burnley shirts and for SD to carry on evolving the side. A cup run this year would be great too of course.

Best moment is tough, maybe Wembley against Stockport when parkie's goal somehow dribbled in.

HiroshimaClaret wrote:I very much doubt that any Claret is `happy` to be out of Europe. Can anyone honestly say they wouldn`t have been jumping up and down in sheer delight had we drawn a Lazio or an AC Milan, for example? The stuff of dreams! I think there were a sizable amount of supporters who feared our squad size and injuries to key players, allied to the Thursday/Sunday fixtures, was and would damage our Premier League performances. I would say it was having a detrimental effect on our early season form with the team seemingly nowhere near last season`s level of performance, fluidity and fitness (the latter possibly not the case).

Dyche`s teams do seem to do better with a routine so let`s see how in goes from here on in.

I would dearly like us to reach the quarter-finals in either of the domestic cup competitions (Watford away way back when in the FA Cup still hurts!) and would be pleased with a comfortable mid-table finish in the Premier League.

My greatest moment watching Burnley will always be, I suspect, York City away when I was 19. A special, SPECIAL night.

I'm still gutted this morning that there will probably not be any more European football in my lifetime, I was lucky enough to be able to make Aberdeen and Athens away and loved the experience, it felt different. However, I said to a mate that nothing has ever beaten York away, I was 21 btw.

Tall Paul wrote:I doubt anyone is happy about it.

you'd think so but...

Vino blanco wrote:I'm delighted we are out

Absolutely gutted, feels like a big opportunity wasted. I was lucky enough to make it to the 3 away trips, pity it couldn't have been 3 more. made some fantastic memories over the last 6 weeks.

joey13 wrote:I was being sarcastic

I wasn't replying against you, I was just using it to start my post.

quoonbeatz wrote:you'd think so but...

Oh. There's always one I suppose.

willsclarets wrote:The idea that we get a chance to beat the very best is exciting, taking on Man City, Man United etc. I want to stay in the premier league and carry on progressing as a team, and this year I'd say that doesn't mean coming 6th but a stable mid-table finish. Staying here longer increases our chances of getting better players on the pitch, I want more (non-injured) Defours in Burnley shirts and for SD to carry on evolving the side. A cup run this year would be great too of course.

Pretty much my take on it, too.

FactualFrank wrote:"What is it about the premier league and finishing in a position where we will never win anything"
"and our best hope is to finish in a position to get in Europe only to want to be knocked out when we get there that excites you?"

That's a dig and you know it.

OK then

willsclarets wrote:The Europa is hardly a competition we could feasibly win, either.

we aren't in any competitions that we could feasibly win. we've as much chance in the europa league as anything else.

apart from the current 'big 6' only 3 other teams have won the top flight, 3 have won the fa cup and 9 have won the league cup since 1990.

I am not happy to drop out of the cup, but totally accept it. Another 3 or 4 seasons in the top flight, then I expect us to push on to the next level. To be playing European football at this stage of our building program is nothing short of staggering.
Athens last week was probably one of the best feelings I have had watching the Mighty Clarets.
I'm still going to carry on this season with a massive smile on my face. UTC!

I agree we've got practically no chance of winning the Europa league, for one thing it would take another 15 games to be played, with potentially over half of them being overseas.

The League Cup is a much more realistic prospect, beat Burton (which we should), then it's four more wins and we're done.

I'm that depressed about missing out on more trips I'm looking into to going to Barbados to watch England in late January. Probably the only thing that can come close, a week in the sunshine on the ale with the Barmy army.

And can anyone say that in five years time playing the so called big six will hold the same excitement?

Will playing Man U at home be as exciting as it was when we beat them in 2009?

Spijed wrote:And can anyone say that in five years time playing the so called big six will hold the same excitement?
Will playing Man U at home be as exciting as it was when we beat them in 2009?

I'll hopefully be able to let you know in 5 years.

I'm absolutely gutted to be out, probably even more so when I see the draw later and the away trips We've missed out on. I think deep down we all know we're never going to see it again. It's even more galling that our pathetic efforts in the transfer market over the summer have probably condemned us to an early exit.

Travelling to places like Istanbul, Athens (And even Aberdeen as it was new) build memories you will keep forever. Literally big life moments.

Imagine we could have added to it with Marseille, Milan and Rome. Gutting

Frank no offence but I don't think you go to games do you?
You miss out on the build up in the pubs before and post match celebrations.

If I didn't go I would concentrate on the premier league too as it gives me more chance of watching a free stream or TV coverage.

I have been astounded at how many of our fans bought into the media driven belief that you can’t fit 6 extra games in between now and Christmas (nearly 4 months), on top of what we’ve played.

We play an average of 1.02 games per week in a season (knocked out at the first stage of domestic cups), and 1.33 games per week on average if we got to the group stages of the Europa. So that’s 1 and a third games per week if our first 11 play every single game without rotating the squad.

The reality is that most of our players would play 35-40 games, so 1 game per week on average. Players are fitter than ever before, and if they’re not playing they’re training hard.

Why do people allow themselves to be brain washed?

Personally I really wanted to reach the group stages, but disagree with KRBFC above. We qualified for the competition through league placing last season. The qualifying rounds are to reach the main stage of the competition. UEFA only changed the format to allow themselves greater control over TV revenue.

joey13 wrote:The chance of a lifetime blown because of the limitations of the Board
Dyche will be gone next season if we stay up

Or maybe because of the limitations of our manager in identifying needed improvements to the squad

I add that because of the scenario of this last transfer window

For the sake of a couple of extra signings ie striker and wide man (which we needed whether Brady/Defour were injured or not) we could have been in the group stages of this comp, with a reasonable increase in income that the group stages would have generated paying for a sizeable sum of that additional transfer outlay

Spijed wrote:And can anyone say that in five years time playing the so called big six will hold the same excitement?

Will playing Man U at home be as exciting as it was when we beat them in 2009?

its already not as exciting as that was.

cricketfieldclarets wrote:Travelling to places like Istanbul, Athens (And even Aberdeen as it was new) build memories you will keep forever. Literally big life moments.

Imagine we could have added to it with Marseille, Milan and Rome. Gutting

Some of us didn't get that opportunity, unable to get time off work at such short notice for the away games but the group stages would have been the perfect platform to plan ahead and at least see my team once on the road in Europe.

quoonbeatz wrote:its already not as exciting as that was.

If it wasn't for the chance of getting 6th spot I also doubt we'd have shifted as many tickets as we did for Arsenal.

In a few seasons time we'll be lucky to sell over a 1000 for a place like the Emirates. It will have gone a bit stale if it hasn't already.

To me, the Emirates, amongst others is just another PL ground.

Quickenthetempo wrote:Frank no offence but I don't think you go to games do you?
You miss out on the build up in the pubs before and post match celebrations.

If I didn't go I would concentrate on the premier league too as it gives me more chance of watching a free stream or TV coverage.

I go to an average of 5 home league games a season. So around 1 in 4. Not many, I know, but I know all about the build up and post match celebrations.

IanMcL wrote:We should be marching on, by right, in Europe.

We worked so hard to get here. Ludicrous to throw the opportunity away.

We worked harder and longer to get into the Premier league.

joey13 wrote:We haven’t got a snowballs chance in Hell of winning the Premier League might as well give up then.

In fairness, could have been clearer; I meant we had no chance of winning it this time around. Even if we had qualified last night.
Also, to compare the Europa League with the a Premier League is disingenuous. With the Prem, a top 17 finish will guarantee you a place in next year’s competition. The Europa, for a team like ours, is really a rare occurrence.

Grumps wrote:We worked harder and longer to get into the Premier league.

We all thought the one season under Coyle/Laws was it but we returned soon enough under SD.

To get in the Prem you simply compete with other Championship clubs and Cardiff/Huddersfield etc. have shown, like us, that you don't need much money to get promoted.

To get into Europe is a whole different ball game. You are now competing with clubs who spend far more.

[quote="Claretforever"]I have been astounded at how many of our fans bought into the media driven belief that you can’t fit 6 extra games in between now and Christmas (nearly 4 months), on top of what we’ve played.

We play an average of 1.02 games per week in a season (knocked out at the first stage of domestic cups), and 1.33 games per week on average if we got to the group stages of the Europa. So that’s 1 and a third games per week if our first 11 play every single game without rotating the squad.

The reality is that most of our players would play 35-40 games, so 1 game per week on average. Players are fitter than ever before, and if they’re not playing they’re training hard.

Why do people allow themselves to be brain washed?

Personally I really wanted to reach the group stages, but disagree with KRBFC above. We qualified for the competition through league placing last season. The qualifying rounds are to reach the main stage of the competition. UEFA only changed the format to allow themselves greater control over TV revenue.[/quo te]

Or simply have an opinion of their own based on the evidence of the season so far?

Claret Kitch wrote:I am not happy to drop out of the cup, but totally accept it. Another 3 or 4 seasons in the top flight, then I expect us to push on to the next level. To be playing European football at this stage of our building program is nothing short of staggering.
Athens last week was probably one of the best feelings I have had watching the Mighty Clarets.
I'm still going to carry on this season with a massive smile on my face. UTC!

Trouble is, the gulf between where we’ve got to and the ‘next level’ is enormous. There’s a very good chance that, in terms of league position, we’ve peaked. That’s why making the most of our European adventure was important.