Premier League Preview: Burnley

Last Season: 2nd Championship (Promoted)

Pre-Season Prediction: 19th - Likely to struggle with the vigor of top-flight football due to a lack of finances and a thin squad. An unfortunate relegation seems on the cards.

Any Championship fans will be casting their eyes eagerly in the direction of last seasons surprise package. Led by the 'Ginger Mourinho', Burnley lost just five games on their way to a fairytale promotion after a simply outstanding campaign. Albeit lucky with a lack of injuries, the Clarets are the epitome of passion and fight and you can guarantee that they will fight relentlessly for ninety minutes of every game this season.

Sean Dyche has been busy in the transfer market so far, providing some much needed depth to a paper-thin squad. Last season just seventeen players made more than ten league appearances and Dyche has acted fast to ensure the squad has Premier League experience through the likes of Steven Reid and Matty Taylor on free transfers. Less impressive are the signings of Marvin Sordell and Luke Jutkiewicz but with Danny Ings and Sam Vokes up front that is unlikely to be a problem.

For the majority of the squad the Premier League is a new experience and it will be intriguing to see how they cope with the step up. Dyche has created a close-knit unit but how quickly will cracks begin to show if the clarets go on a disappointing run. Another couple of established Premier League players may be required to ensure any mental knocks are recovered from and another couple of midfielders wouldn't go amiss. It may be worth looking at a Bradley Johnson or Jonny Howson type player from recently relegated Norwich.

Despite my clear reservations about the new arrivals Sordell and Jutkiewicz both have been on good form in pre-season, netting eight goals in five games between them. This has seen the Clarets claim three victories in five with a draw and a loss the other results. Whilst the results suggest a continuation of last seasons form, Burnley fans seem to be quietly aware that they face an uphill battle to stay in the top flight. Still, they will take courage from Palace's extraordinary survival and with Dyche at the helm anything is possible.

The honest truth is that it is going to be an extremely tough season for Burnley. Dyche has done an outstanding job getting Burnley to where they are but they were also lucky that they managed to avoid any major injuries last season. Dyche's team will need to hope this luck continues as a few major injuries to the likes of Trippier or Ings will see Burnley really struggle to keep the pace with a lack of squad depth. Unfortunately I think despite a gritty attempt, they will be dropping straight back through the basement door.

Key Man: Danny Ings - It sounds predictable but Burnley's hopes are almost solely reliant on their big man up top, Danny Ings. Ings scored a whopping 21 goals in the League alongside Sam Vokes who himself scored 20. Ings will have to live without his strike partner as Vokes is still recovering from injury but will be keen to establish himself as another young, up-and-coming English striker who can cope with the strength of the Premier League.

One to Watch: Kieran Trippier - The lesser known of the Burnley starlets, Kieran Trippier is a flying right-back who will light-up the Premier League. Named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year for the last two seasons, Trippier is a consistent performer and will be named in the starting eleven week-in-week-out. Contributing an impressive 14 assists in the Championship last year, the 23-year-old has a killer cross and will team up well with both Ings and Vokes to bring goals to the Clarets. With the England position up for grabs as well, expect this boy to shine.

Best Signing: Michael Kightly - Kightly has seen plenty of the Premier League before from his time at Wolves but will be looking for more game time after his permanent move to Burnley. After a solid season on loan last year, Burnley made the move permanent and the versatile wide midfielder will be looking to ensure he continues to impress on his return to the top flight. Much like Trippier the winger has a deadly cross, exactly the kind of player that Ings will thrive off.