Clarets boss wants that killer instinct

Burnley’s promotion campaign two seasons ago was based on the balance of the meanest defence in the Championship, and a lethal strikeforce.
Photo: David Hurst
Accrington Stanley V Burnley.
Lukas Jutkiewicz scores from the penalty spotPhoto: David Hurst
Accrington Stanley V Burnley.
Lukas Jutkiewicz scores from the penalty spot
Photo: David Hurst Accrington Stanley V Burnley. Lukas Jutkiewicz scores from the penalty spot

The Clarets shipped just 37 goals in 46 games – the best record in the division – while they were the third top-scorers with 72.

Sean Dyche’s men go into their first game of the season at Leeds tomorrow having shown signs of the defensive organisation he is renowned for, keeping three clean sheets in six games.

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At the other end, Lukas Jutkiewicz has netted four goals in six games, with Burnley bagging 11.

But as the Clarets look to replace the goals of Ings, who netted 26 in 2013/14, Dyche has urged his strikers to find that killer instinct from the off: “The only real question I’ve posed the players is that we’ve got to be more clinical.

“We created enough chances to be out of sight against Bradford on Saturday, but we’ve got to take them because that’s the reality of football.

“We looked nice and solid in our own box and defended very well in numbers and got blocks in when we had to, but at the other end we’ve got to take more of our chances because we created a lot.”

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Jutkiewicz is in pole position to lead the line at Elland Road, but Dyche admitted: “I want more from him. I thought he could have had another couple against Bradford, and I thought (Jelle) Vossen could have had a couple.

“I like people getting in there.

“They never get any stick from me about missing a chance, they only get stick from not being in there to take the chance.”

Burnley kept 10 clean sheets in the Premier League despite relegation, and Dyche has been pleased with three shut outs in pre-season: “There have been good building blocks put in place, that’s what pre-season’s about.

“It’s fitness, organisation, key players getting fit, every player behind that getting fit, the challenge it brings – some come back really fresh, some need time.

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“The key thing is to arrive at the beginning of the season ready.

“There are ups and downs in pre-season.

“Of course you want a productive pre-season and the feeling in the camp to be right, and we’ve got that.

“When that whistle blows we have to be ready to deliver, and there are good signs of that but I still demand more.

“We’re getting there but we need more because we know the challenge that’s coming.

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“My belief is that you’ve not just got to be full of fitness, you’ve got to be full of energy.

“It showed against Bradford, the strength of the team to keep going.

“Generally the fitness of the players is getting where it needs to be.

“I’m pleased, but I still demand more to come.”