Team Overview: Burnley will make their debut in the Prem in 2009/2010 after achieving promotion this year. Next year will mark their first return to the top flight of English football in thirty years. Way back in the day, they won two 1st Division titles and one FA Cup, but it has been more than half a century since the Clarets won it all.
Top Performers: Martin Paterson helped Burnley make it back to the bigs with 13 goals and 4 assists, while Graham Alexander put up nice numbers (10 goals and 5 assists) to also assist the team in their promotion run. But, the squad’s MVP was Brian Jensen, the burly Burnley GK who stifled opponents’ offenses and ceded only 1.13 GAA.
Highest Highs: Burnley’s highest high came at the end of the season – of course – when they went on a brilliant run to achieve promotion. They beat Reading (who had bested them 3-1 earlier), shut out 2 straight squads and bested Sheffield United 1-0 in the playoff match to advance to the Prem. They certainly overcame some long odds in ’09.
Lowest Lows: Burnley’s slow start threatened their promotion run; in fact, they didn’t win a match the first month of the season. They rebounded though with four wins the next month. They also struggled on the road this year, losing more games than they won. Their defense also was less than stellar, ceding a whopping 60 goals this season.
Future Outlook: Burnley’s offense exploded for 72 goals this season (2nd best in the 2nd tier), but next year they will face tougher defenses. Meanwhile, their own defense needs to improve quickly or they will be embarassed against top flight teams next year. They must bring in anyone and everyone who can help keep the ball out of the net.
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