Can Kompany fix Burnley problems for key duel with Bournemouth?

It is perhaps a little too early in the campaign to label Burnley’s trip to fellow strugglers Bournemouth a "must-win", but Vincent Kompany’s side do need to make urgent improvements at both ends of the pitch.

BOU

2-1

BUR

Highlights Available

close

TV Info - Broadcasters

In attack they have registered just 24 shots on target, the second-fewest so far, relying too heavily on South Africa striker Lyle Foster.

Foster, who signed a new five-year deal at Turf Moor on Thursday, has three goals and two assists this season - the only Clarets player to have registered more than a single direct goal involvement.

See: Foster signs new five-year contract with Burnley

At the back Burnley have also been a soft touch, leaking at least three goals in five of their nine matches.

Greater focus and resilience will be required in a match of high significance at the bottom end of the table.

The bottom six

Position Pos	Club	Played Pl	GD	Points Pts
15	Everton EVE	36	-11	37
16	Brentford BRE	36	-8	36
17	Nott'm Forest NFO	36	-18	29
18	Luton LUT	36	-29	26
19	Burnley BUR	36	-35	24
20	Sheffield Utd SHU	36	-65	16

See the full table

Avoiding transitions

One of Burnley’s biggest problems has been losing the ball inside their own half, and conceding from those turnovers.

Under Kompany they want to pass out from the back and progress the ball through the thirds, but at times they have not taken great enough care of it.

Brentford, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur have all scored goals against the Clarets from transitions that they created with an aggressive press.

When Burnley have tried to take an extra touch to bring the ball down, a series of opponents have forced errors that have led to costly goals.

Kieran Trippier robbed Aaron Ramsey inside Burnley's half to tee up Miguel Almiron (circled) for an early goal at St James’ Park.

Last time out Sander Berge (No 16) dwelt on the ball too long and was dispossessed, allowing Brentford to break away and score through Yoane Wissa (circled).

Raheem Sterling’s strike at Turf Moor was instigated in an almost identical way, with Burnley losing possession under pressure and paying a heavy price.

Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth are a pressing side who are well-equipped to punish Burnley if they do not move the ball quickly enough.

Closing down the shot-taker

While the Clarets appear to have solved early-season issues they had conceding chances caused by a high defensive line, another pattern continues to plague them.

Too many shots from outside the box are finding their way into the back of James Trafford’s net.

Burnley's goalkeeper has saved only 63.2 per cent of efforts struck from 18+ yards out, so the Clarets have conceded seven goals from outside the area already this season.

Brighton & Hove Albion’s Jason Steele is the only regular starter with a lower save percentage from long-range shots.

Bournemouth's goalkeeper Neto has also conceded a higher-than-average number of goals from distance. While he has been ruled out for the match against Burnley, with Andrei Radu expected to make his Premier League debut, we could still see plenty of speculative attempts made at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.

Goals conceded from 18+ yards out

Trafford is not solely to blame for this issue on Burnley's side.

On many occasions across the opening nine matches, Burnley have been caught defending too deep when putting men behind the ball.

When passes have been set back to the edge of the area, opponents have had too much time to take aim with their strikes.

Inexperienced attack

Another problem for Burnley is that Johann Gudmundssen is the only forward to start a match this season with any previous Premier League experience.

Players such as Mike Tresor, Luca Koleosho, Zeki Amdouni, Wilson Odobert, Manuel Benson and Foster are all new to the competition.

Odobert's first PL goal v Chelsea

Each has impressed in flashes, but aside from leading scorer Foster, none has consistently impacted matches so far.

This is a factor which has caused Burnley's Expected Goals tally (xG) of 7.7 to be the second-lowest in the division.

For certain spells this season, Kompany’s Burnley have looked a good side, playing attractive passing football.

However, to pick up a vital win on the south coast this weekend, they must be far better at both ends of the pitch.

Also in this series

Part 1: How Palmer and Gallagher are forming the perfect partnership
Part 2: How wing wizard Neto can unlock Newcastle defence
Part 4: How Hojlund and Doku can impact their first Manchester derby