Burnley have history against them. But this is not another of those articles bemoaning the failure of promoted sides to establish themselves in the Premiership. Because if we’re going to be following their fortunes throughout the term, and alongside them, the fortunes of Burnley 1920-21 and Burnley 1959-60, it makes sense to put all three sides into the cage together pour encourager, and here is the first table. It’s not looking bad for the new boys:
Of course, coming up against the gods, ghosts and giants of their glorious past can only add to the pressure for the current Clarets side. But they do have that extra point for a win, you might argue, and a good season in 2009/10, even if they don’t come away with a third title, might see them mid-table here.
To make things easier, we already know what the target for survival is in this spectral little league. 56 points will do it – a top ten Premiership finish. Ipswich finished with 66 points in 2001; Reading with 55 in 2007. It can be done.
I’m pleased to say that Burnley would have still won the league in 1921 and 1960 under 3 points for a win (all other things remaining the same).
If modern Burnley end up ahead on 3 points for a win of the other two Burnleys running on two points for a win, I’m going to count it as a triumph for the current side. Only fair given how stacked the deck is this time around.
I must have another look at the 59-60 margin when the time comes, because Wolves were on a title hat-trick and Spurs in the offing; memory says it was close.
It’ll be tough going to beat the 85 goals they scored, especially with four fewer games. I note Man U in that season finished 8th, and they scored 102 goals and conceded 80.