“In a worse state” – Burnley FC told it’s “imperative” they’re promoted this season

Burnley reduced the gap between themselves and the Championship’s automatic promotion positions with a 4-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday on Friday night.

The Clarets dominated the visitors in the second half, with goals from Marcus Edwards, Josh Brownhill, Connor Roberts, and Manuel Benson.

Burnley are currently only two points behind Sheffield United and four behind second-tier table-toppers Leeds, ahead of their crucial promotion’six-pointer’ at Bramall Lane on Monday.

Friday night’s success was critical in maintaining the Lancashire club’s promotion hopes, as they were able to strike a significant early blow this weekend ahead of Monday’s huge showdown.

Burnley are believed to be in a worse state than last year

Given the amount of high-quality teams at the top of the Championship this season, securing promotion was always going to be more difficult than the previous time they were in the division.

Burnley won the Championship with almost 100 points in 2022/23, but after being relegated from the Premier League the previous year, this year’s challenge is considerably more difficult.

Several significant player sales in the final weeks of Burnley’s summer window haven’t helped their situation, and multiple players with top-flight experience have now left the club.

We asked FLW’s resident Clarets fan pundit, Will Lancaster, if Burnley’s current situation is better or worse than it was last year.

Will stated, “We are in a worse state. However, the difference is not significant. We had a lot more quality at the club last year, including Sander Berge, Wilson Odobert, Zeki Amdouni, and Dara O’Shea. As we saw in the first few games of the season, if Burnley had kept those guys, we could have been at the top of the league right now.

“We defeated Luton 4-1, Cardiff 5-0, and then there was a mass exodus.” I understand why it had to happen because you have to maintain your finances in order until you leave the Premier League. I think the way we started the season, with all those guys with high valuations, you would have expected us to do a little better.”

As is to be expected of clubs chasing Premier League football, Will placed a high value on gaining promotion for the club’s future. He went on to say, “If we don’t get promoted this season, we’ll most likely sell Maxime Esteve and James Trafford, and while we’ll earn a lot of money for them, the entire state of the squad, especially if Josh Brownhill and Connor Roberts leave, looks a lot worse.

“It is almost vital that we go higher. That being said, the squad still has a lot of youthful potential, including Hannibal Mejbri, CJ Egan-Riley, Bashir Humphreys, Lyle Foster, and Luca Koleosho, all of whom will have decent prices.

“But yes, I think this time last year we had Premier League status and if we don’t go up, it could maybe spell a little bit of trouble.”

Burnley’s promotion chances hinge on their defensive record

Given that they have scored less goals than Leeds and Sheffield United (who are currently set to be their only automatic promotion rivals), Burnley’s incredible defensive record will have to continue if they are to finish in the top two.

Parker’s team has conceded only nine goals in the league this season, a remarkable feat. They kept 25 clean sheets, five more than the next greatest total.

That record will undoubtedly have to continue if they are to catch one of the two Yorkshire clubs currently leading the division.

Burnley’s upcoming games may provide an opportunity to close the gap further, especially if Leeds and the Blades drop points on Monday night.

The Clarets’ next four league games against Cardiff, Luton, and Swansea provide an opportunity to maintain their 21-game unbeaten streak and earn maximum points.

However, with Chris Wilder’s Blades visiting Turf Moor only three games before the season’s end, their fate could be decided in the last weeks of the campaign.

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