ARTICLE: A wonderful season to look back on

[ClaretTony]

Finally, ten days after the last game, the Up the Clarets review of 2016/17 - hope you enjoy

See link
http://www.uptheclarets.com/a-wonderful ... ok-back-on" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[jdrobbo]

Tremendous account, which really does hit home as to just how good a season it was. Nice work Tony.

[Suratclaret]

Enjoyed reading that. It has been a wonderful season and the club has one or two more fans in my part of the world! We're still, and always will be, outnumbered by Man U and Liverpool "supporters" but more and more have now actually heard of Burnley... Heaton was the most popular player followed by Barton. There's another season in the sun to look forward to although no doubt this board will be in virtual meltdown at some of the signings!( or lack of them).

[ClaretTony]

I started writing it over a week ago but it got delayed for one thing or another. I've been astounded at some of the negativity over the season after defeats and wanted to get over the point of how good a season it has been. Really enjoyable and just so brilliant to see us playing the country's top teams again.

The league table is all ready to go for next season and we're right there again.

[Goodclaret]

Enjoyed reading that CT. It really has been an amazing season.

Next season will be tough once again but, if we stop up, it will be huge. If we finish higher than 16th we will have made a further step forward. Small steps each season can ensure we reset our aims and we can see where it takes us. I love seeing us being tested week in, week out by some fantastic teams (and poor refs!!) and passing, so bring on the 17/18 season!

UTC

[Silkyskills1]

A good read. I was never as confident about the outcome as you appeared to be. The game at Chelsea was a real 'eye opener's for me. Such a gulf between the 2 sides didn't bode well but as you say it was our regular collecting of points at home that served us well and created a ' fortress' type mindset for visiting clubs preparing to play us at home. Those 2 wins around Christmas were very significant but as I mentioned on a different thread a few weeks ago I still believe the point at Hull was as satisfying as anything else in the season. It came in the wake of that dreadful, morale- sapping exit from the FA Cup to Lincoln and I was genuinely concerned regarding the impact that might have on us throughout the rest of the campaign. All's well that ends well and it did end well for us because we survived to have another go.

[Silkyskills1]

Enjoyed reading that. It has been a wonderful season and the club has one or two more fans in my part of the world! We're still, and always will be, outnumbered by Man U and Liverpool "supporters" but more and more have now actually heard of Burnley... Heaton was the most popular player followed by Barton. There's another season in the sun to look forward to although no doubt this board will be in virtual meltdown at some of the signings!( or lack of them).

Just to reinforce the comment that 'Heaton was the most popular player', he was the subject of a question on ' The Chase' yesterday and 'The chaser'(Paul Sinha) answered correctly. We must be getting some things right.

[ClaretTony]

It was a strange one to write. It was nothing like last season in terms of excitement but it was the best season for our club in over 40 years in that we have retained a position in the top division. Thankfully the negativity was reserved for here and social media in general because it never reached the Turf or any of the away grounds when we weren't getting results.

The feelings a year ago when promotion and then title were confirmed was certainly matched at Palace when we all left Selhurst Park knowing we'd be OK. Brilliant season and interestingly the last time we stayed in the top flight we did so having lost 1-0 at home to a non-league outfit.

[Colburn_Claret]

I thought the Turf crowd was very disappointing in the second half of the season. Considering the mountain we were climbing at the time I think as a whole we let the team down badly. Most of us are old enough to have experienced the lift the team gets, when the crowd gets behind them, especially those Tuesday nights when it's ******* down, but the last 6 or 7 home games there was an initial burst and then flat. The team weren't ripping up sticks at this point, but my argument is that that is when they need us the most. Are we already getting blasé about being in the Premiership!
I hope, knowing how next season is going to be another hard slog, that the fans really get behind the lads, however we are performing.
The away crowd find a way to make lots of noise, all game long, regardless of performances or results, I just wish the home crowd would do the same.

[Silkyskills1]

And despite all the plaudits they received nationally and understandably so, they really were a non-league outfit. An incredible scoreline. Interesting to see how they fare next season.

[ClaretTony]

I thought the Turf crowd was very disappointing in the second half of the season. Considering the mountain we were climbing at the time I think as a whole we let the team down badly.

I'd agree with that to some extent and never more so than when we played Man U when the home crowd were flat and I got the impression they'd given the entire cricket field stand to the away fans. But there was never any negativity at home I don't think and certainly not away from home where the support was brilliant.

[Bin Ont Turf]

This season could be a disaster. I wouldn’t be surprised if we failed to get twenty points

[ClaretTony]

But I did say 35 points would be enough

[Bin Ont Turf]

With the twenty points comment, did you feel that we were weaker as a team than last time (as the team was at the kick off of the season), or that the Premier League as a whole was better?

[bfcmik]

The league table is all ready to go for next season and we're right there again.

Down to 4th already! Dyche out!! LOL

[ClaretTony]

With the twenty points comment, did you feel that we were weaker as a team than last time (as the team was at the kick off of the season), or that the Premier League as a whole was better?

I was concerned that we hadn't strengthened as much as anything. To have no new starters in the team on opening day I thought was a real concern.

[Bin Ont Turf]

I think anyone who said they weren't even just a slightly bit concerned at that stage would be lying.

We were more experienced though, if not strengthened.

The Swansea loss had me rattled a bit.