Burnley had 11 points on Christmas day 2021 and were firmly stuck in the relegation zone, which prompted many observers to argue they were guaranteed to go down. Indeed, Sean Dyche had managed to keep the Clarets in England’s top-flight for five admirable years, but, sadly, the time had come to bid the Turf Moor team goodbye, according to many.
Anyone who was foolish enough to write this will now be ripping it up after Dyche’s men ended February having lost only once in six games to once again set the stage for their survival. Notably, over this time the Clarets were able to roll over a Brighton team that are enjoying an unprecedented season of success in the league which was then followed up by beating Tottenham Hotspur at home.
? Reflection on back-to-back PL wins
? Update on player returnsSean Dyche is feeling positive ahead of #CRYBUR on Saturday ?#UTC pic.twitter.com/2VyM9jWdfr
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) February 24, 2022
It should be pointed out that Burnley were already showing signs of a revival in early February after holding Manchester United to a draw before only losing 1-0 to Liverpool at Turf Moor in a spirited display. If you are unmoved by that result then keep in mind that when you bet on Premier League winner markets, you will see the Reds at just +275 to stop Pep Guardiola’s formidable team from winning back-to-back titles. In other words, perhaps we shouldn’t be that surprised that Dyche’s men went on and collected seven points from a possible nine after only narrowly losing to Liverpool on February 13. Indeed the Clarets carried that momentum forward by earning yet another unlikely point at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace to cap the month off.
This is, after all, what Burnley do when they are staring down the barrel of the gun in the Premier League when facing what many people think is a certain relegation. Ultimately, this is why you get the sense that the club will avoid the trap door that leads to the Championship when the late spring arrives.
Timing is everything in football and as strange as it sounds, that also applies in the fight to stave off relegation. Additionally, there are many teams in the bottom half that are involved in the same relegation fight that do not have Burnley’s experience when it comes to accumulating the necessary points needed to stay in England’s top-flight.
Burnley leapfrog Watford to continue their quest to stay ?#PL pic.twitter.com/LC9m1vEX2G
— Premier League (@premierleague) February 23, 2022
That could be a crucial factor to consider during the run-in as Burnley steadily pick up points as others begin to panic. Indeed, We’ve already seen Leeds United start to implode after sacking their manager Marcelo Bielsa, whilst Brentford haven’t won for close to three months. Everton on the other hand are failing to pick up any traction under Frank Lampard whilst Newcastle flatter to deceive under Eddie Howe.
Burnley meanwhile, are starting to flex their muscles at just the right time and look on course to defy the odds once again.