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Spotlight on Burnley: Clarets appear to be thriving on Kompany benefits
New coach has ushered in a change of style at Turf Moor
After almost a decade under Sean Dyche’s guidance and six seasons of Premier League football, Burnley's owners have taken a significantly different path as they seek an immediate return to the top flight.
Physicality and efficiency were the modus operandi under Dyche but new manager Vincent Kompany has veered away from that blueprint, implementing a style of play that would not look out of place at the Belgian's former club Manchester City.
The best demonstration of this change is Burnley’s possession stats. The Clarets’ average of 68.1 per cent possession is the highest in the EFL and only Liverpool and City boast a higher total in Europe’s big five leagues.
It took Burnley until December 30 to complete 3,486 successful passes in the Premier League last season. It has taken them only seven games to reach that total under Kompany.
The Clarets' controversial ownership group has backed Kompany heavily in the transfer market with a host of new faces arriving at Turf Moor to offset the departures of top-flight stars James Tarkowski, Ben Mee, Maxwel Cornet and Dwight McNeil. And there has been a clear emphasis on recruiting technically-gifted players such as Josh Cullen, Scott Twine and Ian Maatsen.
The significant changes in style have been reflected in some good early results. The Clarets have lost just one of their opening seven games and have scored 13 goals - only leaders Sheffield United (14) have scored more.
Friday's meeting with West Brom will be another examination of their progress under Kompany, but the groundwork appears in place for the Clarets to build a credible promotion bid.
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