Can Burnley survive in the Premier League? “Kompany’s stubbornness is now his greatest quality”

Penultimate in the Premier League, but after a strong run, Burnley is back in business. With 4 games to go and only 3 points below a safe spot, coach Vincent Kompany’s belief is growing that relegation can be avoided. Premier League commentator Jelle Tack weighs the chances.

“Burnley is performing terribly. I admire managers with a philosophy, but you have to adapt.”

This is how a sharp Roy Keane sounded in the English press after another loss by Burnley against Bournemouth and a 2 on 27 at the beginning of March.

The Clarets were then 11 points away from a safe seventeenth place, the calf already seemed to have drowned.

But look: since that miserable series, Vincent Kompany has only lost one of his last seven games, he achieved 10/21 and Burnley is only 3 points below the relegation line.

Kompany has always continued to believe in his philosophy. That determination is now paying off.

Jelle Tack

How come the train suddenly seems to be on the rails?

Jelle Tack, a commentator on Premier League matches for years, is looking for an explanation.

“Kompany is often criticized for being too stubborn, but I think that is his great strength. In his belief, it is possible to stay in the Premier League with positive football. He always relies on his own strengths and believes in his trial.”

The word has fallen. Was the team still under construction?

“They brought in 15 new players in the summer. It takes time to fit all those boys in. Burnley has actually only reached a worthy Premier League level for the first time this season, with good football,” says Tack.

“What Kompany gets a lot of credit for from me is that he does not throw his entire philosophy overboard when things go badly. Otherwise, as a manager you would come across as unstable in my eyes. That determination is now paying off for him.”

“Kompany’s pawns have taken a lot of points in recent weeks, but we also have to make a comment. Burnley often shot themselves in the foot by defending naively,” says Tack.

“They have already lost 24 points after taking a lead. Only Brentford and Bournemouth are doing worse. That has proven to be the big problem this season. That is where they are now making the difference, finally they can get a result.”

Burnley already lost 24 points after taking a lead. They can finally maintain a result in the last matches, that is the difference.

Jelle Tack

“Of course it doesn’t help when your goalkeeper often makes mistakes. Burnley started the season with the inexperienced, but talented James Trafford in goal. He came over from Manchester City and has the better feet, but often failed in the sky.”

Kompany finally decided to put Arijanet Muric under the bar again.

“He was Kompany’s first choice in The Championship last year. I am not saying that he is free from sin, but fewer points are already lost.”

How does Tack estimate the chances of Kompany and co. in?

“Like everyone else, I have been selling for 15 weeks that Burnley is a bird to a cat.”

“Together with Sheffield United, they were the worst of the Premier League, but yet they suddenly set that series and grabbed the much-needed points,” Tack is surprised.

What stands out in their results: Burnley took 10 of their 23 points against Sheffield and Luton, the other two relegation candidates.

“They are having a very difficult time against the teams from the left column, and these are the opponents for the next three matchdays. They still have to collect some points there to stay in the race,” thinks Tack.

Now, the program of Nottingham Forest, which has a 3-point bonus over Burnley, is also very tough.

“And the calendar has provided a nice dessert: on the last matchday, Burnley will host Nottingham at home. It would be nice if it really went “down to the wire”, “Tack is already looking forward to.

Not only is it nail biting at the top of the Premier League, there is also tension in the basement of the rankings.