Burnley are yet to get off the mark in the 2023/24 campaign having lost their opening three games of the campaign.
It’s been an extremely difficult start for Vincent Kompany’s side though following their promotion to the top flight, with the fixture calendar not being kind and throwing up opening fixtures against Manchester City, Aston Villa and Tottenham. After suffering three straight defeats, the Clarets will be out to claim their first win when they return from the international break with a trip to Nottingham Forest on Monday.
The international break couldn’t have come at a better time for Burnley, allowing Kompany and his coaching staff time to identify the team’s glowing areas of concern and work on them. With that being said, here are three things we have learned from Burnley’s first chunk of the 2023/24 season.
- Burnley’s defensive problems
Kompany enjoyed unrivalled success in his debut season at Turf Moor, leading Burnley to the Championship title with 101 points. And that success was built on a watertight defence that only conceded 35 goals in 46 games.
However, the Clarets have looked fragile and vulnerable at the back upon their return to the top flight this season. They have conceded 11 goals across defeats to Man City, Aston Villa and Spurs and while the quality of opposition from Championship football to the Premier League is stark, Kompany is still likely to be disappointed with the manner in which his team conceded goals.
Thus, Kompany and his coaching staff have to map out a way to help the Lancashire club stop conceding goals at an alarming rate if they are to maintain their top-flight status.
- Luca Koleosho could be the X-factor
Burnley signed Luca Koleosho from Espanyol for £2.6m plus add-ons in the summer, after the Italian winger scored one goal in four substitute appearances last season as the Catalan club got relegated from La Liga.
Despite being only 19, Kompany has started him in each of Burnley’s three league games and the winger has not disappointed. Koleosho has an assist to his name which came in the 5-2 defeat to Tottenham.
Two elements are surely going to be key for Burnley—hard work and quality. Young Koleosho has shown both in flashes, and with his speed, dynamism and trickery he could be the Clarets’ X-factor this season.
- Promising signs for Lyle Foster
It hasn’t taken much time for Bafana Bafana star Lyle Foster to make an impact in the Premier League. Having helped Burnley achieve promotion to the top flight following his January arrival from Westerlo, the 23-year-old has two goals under his name in three matches.
Foster has been the Clarets’ brightest spark in the opening three games, catching the eye with his finishing skills. With games against Forest, Man United and Newcastle to come after the international break, the South African’s form will be crucial for Kompany’s side.
