The Vital Watford season preview rolls onto the Clarets
We`re almost done with the plethora of Bs as the Vital Watford Championship season preview continues with Sean Dyche`s Burnley…
After a reasonable finish of 11th last term, former Hornet`s boss Dyche will be looking to build on the defensive solidity imposed on his side during his maiden campaign as Clarets boss, whilst finding the goal-scoring touch evident under Eddie Howe.
The goals of Charlie Austin were evidently key last term, but the former bricklayer scored just 10 of his 28 goals last term after the appointment of Dyche; though the former Hungerford and Poole forward`s season was ended prematurely by injury.
Either way, there will be a big onus on adding to the Claret`s striking options with only two other senior forwards on the books – Danny Ings and Sam Vokes – who have just 10 league goals between them for the club.
Former Sunderland Under-18s and Under-21 hotshot Ryan Noble has joined on a short-term deal, but having seen the former Black Cat a number of times over the last three years, we can report that we`re not sold on the ability of the 21 year-old forward.
In: Tom Heaton (Bristol City, free), Scott Arfield (Huddersfield Town, free), Joseph Mills (Reading, free), Alex Cisak (Oldham Athletic, free), Ryan Noble (Sunderland, free) & Nick Liversedge (Whitby, free).
Out: Dane Richards, Joe Jackson, Jon Stewart, Adam Evans & Aryn Williams (all released).
Key Player – Charlie Austin: No prizes for guessing this one, but the 24 year-old frontman is the Claret`s best source of goals and will be expected to repeat his heroics of last season if Dyche`s side are to climb the Championship table.
Twenty-five league goals in just 37 starts provided the best numbers of an impressive career to-date for Austin, who has now bagged a whopping 73 league goals in just 121 career league starts for Swindon and Burnley.
A summer move to Hull City collapsed due to the failure of his medical and that could prove a blessing for the Clarets who will hope to hold onto their talismanic forward until January at least – assuming his head is in the right place.
Predictions:
Tom: 15th
Chris: 14th
“Charlie Austin really holds the key to how Burnley will do this season. Having failed a medical at Hull, that may well help Burnley in being able to keep him as they will still want top dollar.
“Sean Dyche teams are usually well organised and aren’t often out of games but they will desperately need every one of their creative players to be on form throughout the season to really make the difference for them between drawing and winning matches.
“‘d love to see Dyche do really well and there is always a couple of surprise teams but I can’t see them finishing above mid-table and if Austin goes or gets injured they may well find themselves in a bottom half struggle.”
