Another solid if unspectacular win vs injury hit Norwich on Wednesday saw us return to the top of the table.
By Monday that of course may not be the case.
Big fixture for us on Monday vs Scott Parker and his record chasing Burnley.
The 9 goals Burnley have conceded at this stage is one of the lowest in English football history.
As Alex Ferguson once said, "attacks win games, defences win titles".
In terms of form Burnley who have struggled to score goals or create chances this season found some yesterday, 5 vs Plymouth.
They are unbeaten in 15, they have taken 33 points during that time which is exactly the same as us and Sheffield United.
They have only conceded 3 goals in that time (for comparison nobody else is even in single figures).
Quite a few draws, 6, which highlights the defensive strengths but also the inability to turn draws into wins I suppose as they struggle to create chances.
They are unbeaten at home all season, but the goal scoring issue has again seen a lot of draws and a ppg of under 2 (but they do have a game or two in hand at home which could see them raise above that.
In terms of eye catching results they have plenty, beat us at Elland Road, beat Sheffield United, beat Blackburn, beat Watford.
They don't lose much, twice
They've made a few signings, experienced pair Ashley Barnes and Jonjo Shelvey have arrived and they are trying to alleviate the goal scoring issue by signing star Plymouth winger Morgan Whittaker.
If they found some goals and creativity from somewhere it would be a real concern.
A win vs Burnley would give us a nice 6 point buffer, a defeat and level on points, big game.
Tactic wise Parker favours like many managers now a 4-2-3-1 formation.
The right winger usually keeps the width and the left winger comes inside.
They have been playing a sort of false 9 formation with Dutch attacking midfielder Zian Flemming filling in up front, a technically gifted player as most 10 types are but he's also a big strong 6ft3 lad.
4th highest possession in the league, 3rd highest at home.
A heavy focus on short passes, maintaining possession similar to us but they aren't afraid to go long, 6th highest for long passes which they tend to play wide to get the wingers 1v1 with the opposition full back
What makes Burnley slightly unique in the attitude to possession is an unwillingness to over commit.
They tend to attack with a front 4, and largely maintain a back 6 in possession.
On occasion someone will breakout from that, but it's not that often. So they attack with 4 defend with 6.
It's likely why they struggle to create much, and they are more than happy with that.
They will keep the ball in the midfield and try and drag opponents out.
And the 6 defensive block is why they aren't as vulnerable as some possession side on transition.
Don't expect to have much luck with a press as Burnley are more than happy to play over it.
And on pressing that isn't much of a worry for them either, they focus on maintaining shape out of possession not chasing the ball.
So the strengths are obvious, very hard to beat, don't concede goals, good at grinding teams down as highlighted by the fact they've scored 9 conceded 1 all season in the final 15 minutes.
We of course have our own issues away from home in that time period where we have conceded 4 scored 4.
The weaknesses are evident in the amount of draws they have had and despite the record chasing defensive record they are only 3rd.
They don't create chances, bottom 5 for big chances created (pretty accurate at taking the few they get tbf). Bottom half for shots on target per match, and bottom 6 for xG (sorry Swannie) which they are still having to exceeed to keep pace.
In terms of key players the xG exceeding brings me on neatly to a criticism of Scott Parker.
He's been accused of relying on individuals (sounds familiar).in the sense that he wouldn't have achieved what he has (2 promotions out of 2) without having better players than his opponents.
That the player's make him look better than he is.
Well that is being reflected this season as Burnley are exceeding both xG and xG against.
Goalies making saves they shouldn't and attackers scoring more than the chances are worth.
The most important player for Burnley by an absolute mile is goalie James Trafford. Burnley aren't doing badly in terms of xG against, its the 2nd lowest after us, but Trafford has conceded only 9 goals from an xG against of 23. Its exceptional. A save percentage of 85% is the most by an absolute mile.
Captain Josh Brownhill is an energetic and intelligent midfielder who Parker had deployed slightly further forward in the 10 role this season with great success. His energy and eye for an intelligent run he can make or pass has seen him earn 9 goals and 4 assists.
And finally our ex loanee Jaidon Anthony has been a crucial creative force for Burnley this season. He is the 7th highest in the league for chances created and has chipped in himself with 3 goals and 2 assists.
Should also mention Burnley do focus down the right quite a lot, Anthony and Roberts see a lot of the ball (Roberts has 3 assists and a goal as well).
Quick mention for Zian Flemming doing a decent job in his unfamiliar striker role, 8 goals and 1 assist in all competitions, big strong lad but very good technically as well.
So that's Burnley.
A very hard to beat opponent who as they have already shown are perfectly capable of beating us, or at the very least limiting us.
In a sense they would seem a Daniel Farke nightmare, a team who will ignore his possession at the back and simply keep shape and wait for a mistake.
But we are above them, they don't create much, maybe James Trafford has an off day?
We are in very good form ourselves and have the qualities to hopefully cause them issues with our attacking players in good form
The emphasis will be on them as the home side, so maybe we play them at their own game? Let them have the ball and we sit back?
In terms of ourselves
Usual questions.
Ramazani?
Gnonto?
Firpo?
Wober?
Joseph?
Perhaps Buendia?
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An early dram might be required....
