Football Season Guide

Burnley lacked enough consistency last term to threaten a return to the Premier League but will be quietly confident about correcting that issue in time for the coming season. Eddie Howe, with an extra year's managerial experience under his belt, appears to have bought well with Luke O'Neill, Joseph Mills and Jason Shackell in particular adding much needed defensive qualities while George Porter and Sam Vokes, who had a loan spell at the club last term, promise strength in attack. Jay Rodriguez's departure to Southampton is a blow as is the injury to Danny Ings on the eve of the season. Burnley are usually impressive on home soil with Turf Moor a daunting place for visiting teams to come, but last season they were disappointing on home soil and will need to get back on track if they are to challenge at the top.