Would a change in system suit Burnley?

It has been a poor start to say the least for Burnley this season and Sean Dyche will have plenty to think about before to turn their form around.

The Clarets are yet to win a game and sit 19th in the league with just two points. 

The stats make for grim reading and highlight just how bad things are at Burnley. In their seven games played the side has scored only three goals whilst conceding 12.

The lack of creativity going forward has led to just 64 shots, with only 19 of them being on target. That averages out at 9.1 shots-per-game from their average possession of 44.1%. Defensively, the side has kept only two clean sheets. The previously stated 12 goals conceded means that they average 1.71 goals a game conceded. 

Compared to the rest of the league, Burnley have scored the least amount of goals and equal Newcastle United in having the fewest amount of shots, 64. There are only two teams that complete fewer passes this season than the Clarets’ 2,753 with both Crystal Palace and Aston Villa. 

Unfortuanetly for Burnley, it looks like it may take a little more then some returning injured players in order to save the season after a miserable start. 

The small and ageing squad may have finally reached it’s liits at Burnley, which makes the lack of summer investment all the more frustrating. However, it’s easy to sit here and say that new signings and new owners would change everything but for Dyche it’s about working with what he’s got.

A change of system could work well for Burnley, with a 4-3-3 bringing out a more attacking style for a team that struggle getting forward. Therefore a system and XI like this could suit the Clarets in the near future. 

Now most Burnley fans will look at this and dismiss it almost straight away. However, it wouldn’t take much to achieve and personnel could easily be adapted.

Burnley are known for sitting off sides and having a lack of possession, with counter-attacks or set-pieces being the main sources of goals. The 4-3-3 would suit that and improve that counter-attacks that don’t work with two slow strikers upfront. Having Dwight McNeil and Jay Rodriguez would add more creativity in the final third and a different outlet for the midfield. 

The midfield itself could be adapted, some may not like Matej Vydra playing that deep, which is a fair observation and Dyche could line up with Ashley Westwood, Josh Brownhill and either Dale Stephens or Jack Cork, when he returns to full fitness. If Rodriguez didn’t fit on the right Johann Berg Gudmundsson could play, providing he is fit. It’s a system that can be adapted but will still suit Burnley’s compact defensive nature with a tight midfield three. 

Whether you agree with the proposed change or not, many fans have to admit that something needs to change and quick, otherwise Burnley’s successful stint in the Premier League could come to an end.