The psychological effect of our current position

[Claret82]

There are a number of things going on at the moment IMO. The current team are under pressure to not only live up to the standards of the injured players but they also do not have the back up of good players behind them if they get injured. This puts pressure on them to stay fit, to avoid injury and to also know there isn't a high standard substitute to take over if their knackered.

The other key point here is that the premier league teams have figured out how to play us more so than the first half of the season and are beating us at our own game at the moment because our system works best with a fully fit squad, it's not working as well with our injuries as we have a small squad anyway compared to other teams.

We have also become a scalp thanks to our success in the first half of the season, even yesterday I heard us referred to as, 'high flying Burnley' on Sky and so the lower teams are fighting that little bit harder and we are no longer the underdog, a role we struggle to get used to. We also hit 30 points very early and this can have the effect of 'we're safe, we can relax' and lots of teams have gone on a bad run when they get comfortable (West Brom have done this repeatedly).

Add to this the teams we have played in the last ten games, and a recent game against one of the teams of the month (beating Arsenal and Liverpool) with new energy and manager, it makes the Swansea result a lot more understandable and less reason to panic.

As it has already been said, our season is a fantastic success already and if we improve to the same percentages next season as we have this season, it could be incredible. We have to remember this is a process and can take 5 years or more to establish in this league.

[Claret82]

Dyche keep talking about progress and moving forward and this for me is a like a business model. As it stands Burnley as a business is an unbelievable success. To keep producing the standards we have over the last five years is nothing short of incredible and we are still on the rise. Our squad has never been better in the modern era, the club has never been in a better position financially or otherwise.

There is nothing but success here!

As entertainment, however, we always want more, but with football, business comes first.

[SurreyClaret]

I understand what your saying Claret82, but personally I think it's just the injuries to key players taking their toll. The reason I believe this to be the case, is the one game at a time mantra that Is drilled into the team, and which the players seem to mention in every interview after we get a good result.

We just need to look at the big picture as to where we came from, where we are, and where we are aiming to get to. We should be proud we are a "long term picture" club, and not a "short term, fire your Manager after a few bad results", club. It's this philosophy that has made us the envy of most teams, and that's what our fans need to remember even more when we are having a bad patch.

If these poor results had been interspersed with our great start to the season, every single Burnley fan would be in dreamland right now, and the fickle posts we are seeing currently would be nowhere to be seen (abc excepted!). Until we are fully established, it's not about how portions of the season play out, it's about how the league table finishes, and if little old Burnley are 17th or above, and we continue to develop on and off the pitch, we should all be pleased as punch. Our Manager and Players are superb ambassadors, have established a positive culture, and should make all of us proud to say we support this great club of ours. UTC!

[bfcjg]

I think the injuries have had a major effect however Dyche never really ruled himself out of the Everton speculation. Had that unsettled the players ?

[Claret82]

I think the injuries have had a major effect however Dyche never really ruled himself out of the Everton speculation. Had that unsettled the players ?

I think we all thought he should have done that at the time, but saying that the players seemed to know and maybe it was all about raising the profile of the club. Who knows what mind games were going on in the background.

The bottom line here for me is that everything that is happening is normal and nothing to moan or worry about.

This is all part of the process and happens to all clubs of all sizes.

Psychology plays a huge part in that.

[bartons baggage]

I think the injuries have had a major effect however Dyche never really ruled himself out of the Everton speculation. Had that unsettled the players ?

Speculation?
Why rule yourself out of a media/social media rumour?
No official approach for his services,no ruling himself out of the running.

[IanMcL]

We were superb before the injuries. The flair was sufficiently present to contour goals at the right time, to win matches.

The squad has been brilliant but just lacking that additive at present. New players - Lennon and Nkoudou still coming to grips with the team.

Despite everything, we are top of the real league and miles clear of the relegation slots. Those teams have to play each other so can't all get past us, even if we stood still.

This is magnificent for such a tiny town team. Anyone who thinks otherwise is barmy.

[Claret82]

We were superb before the injuries. The flair was sufficiently present to contour goals at the right time, to win matches.

The squad has been brilliant but just lacking that additive at present. New players - Lennon and Nkoudou still coming to grips with the team.

Despite everything, we are top of the real league and miles clear of the relegation slots. Those teams have to play each other so can't all get past us, even if we stood still.

This is magnificent for such a tiny town team. Anyone who thinks otherwise is barmy.

9 points isn't so far away now, bit too close for comfort.

[DAVETHEVICAR]

It is 10 points clear of bottom 3.
With 11 games left and teams below us playing each other.
Brighton have to play 5 of top 6 plus Everton away
Palace 4 of top 6
WBA 4 of top 6 includes Chelsea tomorrow
Three teams may not get 36 points
They can’t all get 3 points when they play each other

[IanMcL]

We are Premier League!

(And Europa Cup)

[Spijed]

It is 10 points clear of bottom 3.
With 11 games left and teams below us playing each other.
Brighton have to play 5 of top 6 plus Everton away
Palace 4 of top 6
WBA 4 of top 6 includes Chelsea tomorrow
Three teams may not get 36 points
They can’t all get 3 points when they play each other

And basically 11 with our goal difference.