Can Burnley Survive The Drop?

By Nick Burgess @NickBurgess92 on October 31, 2014

Burnley FC started their Premier League campaign off well, scoring an early goal against the run of play at home against Chelsea. Since then, things have gone downhill quickly.

Their form just has not translated from the Championship to the Premier League. Defensively, they’ve been in shambles this season, capped off by a 4-0 humiliation by West Bromwich Albion and a bad 3-1 loss at home to Everton. They have had a few bright moments in the season, holding Manchester United to a 0-0 draw at home, but they have looked poor for the most part.

The same can be said at the other side of the pitch. Balls just aren’t finding their targets in the final third, and Danny Ings has not been the striker he threatened to be when they came up from the second tier. Only netting once in six appearances is not enough from a main striker to consider him a threat, and to keep his club from returning to a lower level.

Winless in nine games, it looks unlikely Burnley will beat the drop this year. They have been all over the place, and they have not spent the money gained from achieving Premier League football wisely. If they seriously invest in January in some quick-fix signings, mainly up front and a defensive leader in the back, they could fight with Queens Park Rangers, Sunderland and Crystal Palace for a place just above the relegation zone,

However, it really does seem unlikely that fans will be seeing Burnley in the Premier League next season.

Nick Burgess is a soccer columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickBurgess92, “Like” him on Facebook and connect with him on Google.