Back in Winnersville! Which is what they’re calling Burnley. I personally don’t think the name needs to be changed (the two are synonymous, after all), but who am I to argue with the queen?
The Result:
Burnley 1, Sheffield United 0
How It Happened:
Ben Mee knocked one in with his dome in the first half and the lads made it stand. Victoire! Victoire!
What It Means:
With Brighton losing to Burnley’s natural rival, Arsenal, the Burnleys passed the Brightons to move back into 16th, three points ahead of those nerds on the south coast. Burnley’s now five points clear of the relegation zone, though Fulham could narrow that tomorrow (and this weekend, when they come to Turf Moor). Per FiveThirtyEIght, the relegation probability’s down to 20%. Not terrible.
What’s Next:
Fulham visits on Sunday at the tail-end of what’s been a nice stretch of schedule for the Clarets. Burnley’s looking to close it with nine points in four games. Fourteen over the last seven. Seventeen over the last nine. Eighteen over the last ten. Basically, Burnley’s been playing well lately, and this is the end of an advantageous four-match stretch, so it’d be nice to build some cushion heading into two tough ones to close out the first trip through the robin.
Other News:
Robbie Brady played. Dwight McNeil didn’t. Charlie Taylor (no, I don’t understand why he doesn’t go by Chuck) hurt his hamstring (maybe if he went by Chuck…).
General Thoughts:
Doing something on time that you usually put off really gives a guy a buzz.
Burnley Thoughts:
Things are in a positive space, but complacency appears a legitimate fear. Losing to Fulham would put the lads right back where they were, effectively, or little better than where they were. Would be nice to climb a little further and make this just a mid-table season. If my own stress level’s this high, I can’t fathom how high it must be for those who’ve cared about this team for more than a year and a half.
