2011/12 Season Preview: Burnley

VitalWatford run the rule over Eddie Howe’s Burnley outfit ahead of the new season…

VitalWatford run the rule over Eddie Howe’s Burnley outfit ahead of the new season…

Gaffer: Hertfordshire-born Eddie Howe, 33, is approaching his first full season in charge of the Clarets having left Bournemouth to take up the reigns last season.

The Lancashire outfit will surely be expecting to be in the promotion shake-up after falling short last season and having delivered promotion against all odds with the Cherries, Howe has it in his locker.

Position 10/11: A disappointing 8th place, however that was an improvement on the position Brian Laws left the club in before Howe’s appointment.

In: Ben Mee (Manchester City, loan).

Out: Clarke Carlisle (PNE, loan), Kevin McDonald, Remco Van Dr Schaaf, Steven Thompson and Graham Alexander (all released).

Best Business: Well, it’s a little hard to say on the basis the Clarets have made just one signing, and he’s on loan!

With that in mind, the best news coming out of Turf Moor is that strikers Charlie Austin and Martin Paterson will be fit and firing on all cylinders for the new campaign. Much-needed boosts for Howe.

Prediction: As I’ve said before, the fight for a top-six place with be incredibly tough this season and I therefore expect Burnley to finish between fifth and 10th.