The tough matches keep on coming. This afternoon it’s Burnley away.
Classed as the seventh richest club in the Premier League in 2019, in 2020 they were taken over by ALK Capital, an American consortium, who took out a £65m loan at that time.
With relegation they are now in financial trouble due to the terms of that loan. They’ve offloaded goalkeeper Nick Pope to Newcastle for £10m and defenders Ben Mee and James Tarkowski have also gone, but the nucleus of a PL squad is still there.
The Clarets are one of the favourites to bounce straight back. Sean Dyche, their long serving manager, was sacked and has been replaced by ex-Man City icon Vincent Kompany:
“If we don't have the ball, we must be aggressive and on the front foot. When we have the ball, find some spaces to score a goal and don't be afraid of having the ball. From a defensive side, I do have an aggressive side too. I can't have players pulling out of challenges, no way."
They are in fourth position in the Championship table on 22 points, one point ahead of us, and have lost only once this season, 1-0 at Watford. They have drawn four and won two of their last six matches.
They have two ex-Swans Jack Cork and Connor Roberts who will be there to greet us, let’s not give them the chance to celebrate a win.
I’m going for a score draw.