POSSESSION

We've seen plenty of different combinations in Sean Dyche's two-man midfield during pre-season but what has been noticeable with all of them is a desire to influence the game and spend time on the ball.

At Alfreton on Saturday Dyche stressed the importance of keeping hold of the ball when you've got it in the Premier League and his current band of four central midfielders are all what you would consider ball-playing types.

It was Jack Cork and Ashley Westwood who started at Deepdale on Tuesday and they dovetailed to good effect, keeping the Clarets on top for most of the evening and making sure possession was regularly retained.

Steven Defour has also impressed during pre-season though and if Dyche rotates his squad at Nottingham Forest on Saturday he could start alongside Jeff Hendrick.

Of his midfield, Dyche said earlier this week: "They start your play and that is something we’ve got to keep working at as a Premier League side.

"It’s difficult when you’ve not got it and when you’ve got it you can’t keep giving it away, so we’ve got to continue working on that."

Only West Brom averaged less possession per game than Burnley's 42.7 per cent last season, so increasing that figure could be a key part of the plans for this season.

SET-PIECE THREAT

Burnley looked like they could score every time Robbie Brady stood over a corner or a free-kick on Tuesday night, and it was no surprise that both goals came from those situations.

Brady never really hit top gear last season after his deadline day move in January, but he should benefit from a full pre-season with the Clarets this summer and at Deepdale his creativity was clear, from open play and particularly dead balls.

After one disappointing early delivery he was on the money there after, regularly picking out 6ft 4ins defender Tom Anderson, whose aerial prowess caused North End all sorts of problems.

If Brady can find that magic touch from set-pieces in the Premier League then it could be a productive route to goal for Dyche's side. While Anderson and Kevin Long were the principal aerial threats on Tuesday, Ben Mee and James Tarkowski can also challenge, as can the likes of Sam Vokes, Ashley Barnes and Jon Walters.

MAKING A CASE

With three pre-season friendlies remaining there are plenty of places still up for grabs for the Premier League opener at Stamford Bridge on August 12.

Tom Heaton, Tarkowski, Mee, Brady and Johann Berg Gudmundsson would all appear likely starters against the Champions, with the captain assured of his place between the sticks, while the search for competition at the back and out wide is ongoing.

But aside from that there looks to be close battles for places across the pitch. The new additions at full-back in Phil Bardsley and Charlie Taylor could push Matt Lowton and Stephen Ward hard, while the central midfield fight looks wide open.

It's also a case of four into two in attack, with Jon Walters, Sam Vokes, Andre Gray and Ashley Barnes all vying for a place.

There's plenty to play for over the next 10 days with games against Forest, Celta Vigo and Hannover.