On the back of a vital away win in the Europa League, Wolves hosted Burnley in a relatively entertaining encounter last Sunday.
Wolves find themselves in the same position as Burnley in the previous campaign, on the back of a 7th place finish and prize of Europa League football. Burnley felt the sting of Europe last time around and were eventual casualties from the competition at the final qualifying hurdle. They began their league campaign in a disastrous fashion, looking more like relegation candidates than the European contenders of the 17/18 season. Wolves showing similar signs, with their own early season form, there’s little to suggest a different story would be written for the West Midlands side.
European Football is a different breed of monster, with sides throughout Europe struggling to cope with the demands both on and off the pitch. Fatigue is often the major downfall of Thursday, Sunday football, with Burnley struggling to cope last season. The supposed curse of the Europa League loomed over the hosts after their recent trip to Italy on Sunday as they looked sluggish throughout the first half, trying to deal with a lot of early pressure.
However, Ruben Neves did come close to opening the scoring with a trademark long range effort, until Ashley Barnes scored a screamer of his own, making it four goals in three games. The Burnley striker was a handful in the first half, giving the Wolves defence much to think about, supported in numbers in his search for a second. Ben Mee came close to extending the Clarets lead resulting in a goal-line scramble before Rui Patricio denied Chris Wood to round off the first half. The second half continued in a similar fashion, with Ashley Barnes coming close to his second brace of the season.
As the match progressed, Wolves looked increasingly dangerous in the hope to make it ten games unbeaten at Molineux. Raul Jimenez rattled the post in stoppage time before Wolves £30m man secured a third straight draw with a 95th-minute penalty. Sean Dyche can take many positives from the game, but in truth will see an opportunity missed for a second win of the season.
Sean Dyche, Mr consistent
In some ways, Burnley are the most consistent side in the league. Their hard work ethos remains intact throughout the season and we rarely see Sean Dyche deviate from his beloved 4-4-2 formation. Three games into the season and Burnley’s starting eleven has remained unchanged and this consistency has proven effective.
However, I have seen some adaptation to the Burnley way thus far this season. They’ve shown an attacking flair somewhat uncharacteristic of the team we’ve seen in previous campaigns. The Clarets have looked dangerous in each of their games this season and were very unfortunate to leave the Emirates without a point. Though a monumental task for the Clarets this weekend, I’m quite excited to see how they’ll fare against the European Champions.
Burnley’s in form man
Burnley’s success under Sean Dyche is built upon every player working hard and completing the job they’ve been assigned to do. There’s one player in my eyes who’s taken to this philosophy more than any other though. Ashley Barnes has always caught my eye, his tenacity and overall hard work would make him a valuable member of any squad in the Premier League. A player rarely praised for his technique in front of goal, his early form has started turning heads. Peter Crouch was full of praise on MOTD of his former teammate, unsurprised by his fine start to the season.
Four goals in three games is a quite remarkable start for the Burnley striker, who took twenty games to reach this tally in the year previous. The question is, can he solidify this form? Form is something many in the Premier League will experience at some point in their career. I remember the days of Wigan’s Amir Zaki, ten goals after fifteen games, he started to make noise in the footballing world, only to see a fourteen game drought to end the season.
However, there’s something about the Austrian’s character which makes me believe this is no fluke. He’s starting to look like the complete striker and if Burnley can continue to impress going forward, then I see no reason to believe his form will end.
Wolves lack killer blow
Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota caught the eye in their first Premier League campaign, scoring an impressive twenty two goals between them. However, though still early days, this partnership is yet to find the same form.
Wolves are yet to win a game this campaign and I question the team’s killer instincts to repeat an impressive previous season. Wolves finished with a plus one goal difference in the previous campaign, with only seven teams scoring fewer goals. There was little support for the two strikers, with no other player in the squad scoring more than four goals. It begs the question, who will step up in any potential absence to their forward line?
Spanish born Adama Traore looks to have that something special. A potential superstar in the making, his pace and power are enough to frighten any defender in his path. However, something goes wrong when he bares down on goal and similar to the cliché diet plan after New Years – day one starts with so much promise, only to fail a week later when scoffing down a pizza.
Ruben Neves, a player who rarely ventures into the opposing penalty area is unlikely to add the goals needed and unless new signing Patrick Cutrone can make an impact, I envisage many more draws to come.
Are Wolves top six contenders?
As mentioned above, I believe Wolves will struggle with the addition of Europa League football this season and believe this ends all debates on whether the side can breach the top six. At present, I see more of a case for Burnley to make this transition, in which you could argue a win was deserved in each of their first three games.
Though fairly busy in the transfer market this summer, I do not believe they’ve made enough improvements to their starting eleven to make the next step. The transfers themselves may help with the overall grind of Europe, but the Premier League is a different kettle of fish. They may have the potential to cause an upset to any team on their day, but it’s games like these which could prove troublesome. To make matters worse, if the side is to qualify for the Europa League the first three group games take place before an away fixture. Tough times ahead.
What would you prefer?
Each season, teams across Europe compete for a place in one of two European competitions. Unfortunately one of these competitions has fallen in stature in recent decades. No longer does the Europa League have the same appeal, with fans, players and clubs alike, now drawn to the bright lights of the Champions League. Many in the Premier League will never experience this competition and are instead left fighting for a place in the Europa League.
However, with all the excitement of securing a place in Europe, we often see clubs neglect the reward from last season’s hard work. As you may know, Burnley failed at the final qualifying hurdle last season, but in truth Sean Dyche’s team selections made it apparent the club’s want to exit the competition.
Wolves thus far have taken the opposite approach, looking to secure a place in the competition for the first time since 1980. As previously mentioned, they’ve already seen the effects of the Europa League and as the competition ventures on, the demands of both league and European football will take its toll. So the question is, what would you prefer, concentration on the league or a European journey?
Up Next
Burnley host Liverpool this Saturday in the day’s late kick-off. Burnley have lost five of the last six encounters against the European Champions and will be looking to in form Ashley Barnes to end this run. Wolves travel to Everton this weekend after a crucial Europa League tie and fatigue could again play its part and Everton will feel confident to make it two wins from two at Goodison Park.
