WE asked Clarets fans what they were expecting from Burnley in the 2018/19 season.

MATT RIGGS

I’LL be more than happy with Burnley securing another season in the Premier League. European competition is a fantastic bonus for us but hopefully won’t be detrimental to our league campaign, which I’m sure is the most important part of our season.

Not sure what emphasis will be placed on domestic cup competitions this season given a potentially hectic schedule should we make the group stage of the Europa League.

TONY HORNE

IN short, I expect to be playing on Saturdays from September! I really do share the gaffer’s view that it is a badge of honour to be in Europe and being there alone is the summit of my expectations.

To have lost to Aberdeen would have made that giddiness since November look foolish. To actually play a club over there in Europe is better than anything.

There will be no trophy or heroic European nights at the Turf, but there is the knowledge that we were good enough, and I will be happy with one Easyjet flight and no mud on our faces.

An early exit from the League Cup is probably inevitable. The FA Cup has recently thrown the extremes in the two cities - Lincoln and Manchester - and we failed at both. I hold no great hope but fear missed opportunity in this one.

For the league, we need that good start again and an away form which is halfway between the last two campaigns. Seventh is too much to ask for and we will hit the buffers for two months. Equally, scrapping for survival is long gone.

This club has an infrastructure and long-term planning which must be stuck to. I am expecting 11th/12th, not many goals, lots of draws, concern over Steven Defour and endless arguments about the keepers. Throw this back at me, but it won’t be anything like last year!

DAN BARNES

IT’S always hard to know what to expect ahead of a new season but I’m optimistic about the upcoming Premier League campaign. Although it seems unlikely that we’ll repeat last year’s heroics, we are a club that’s moving in the right direction.

Some supporters seem to be unhappy with our transfer business so far but I think that keeping our first-team players was always going to be the most important thing to do. Ben Gibson is a great addition to the squad and will give us the depth at centre-back that we’ve lacked for a while. Joe Hart could also turn out to be a very smart signing given our injury problems and Billy Mercer’s track record of working with English goalkeepers.

Admittedly, the Europa League could have an impact on our league form, especially if we make it to the group stage. Although that would be a brilliant achievement considering we haven’t played I Europe in 51 years, I worry that our squad would struggle to meet the demands.

Regardless of how things go in Europe, I’m confident that we’ll see the same Burnley side that worked so hard and was so good defensively last season. As long as Sean Dyche is at the helm, I’m pretty confident.

MIKEY WATSON

I DO not have ‘expectations’ as such of Burnley in the Premier League, but I hope for a couple more late additions that allow us to continue our aim of establishing ourselves in the Premier League.

We need a touch more depth but I’m confident. I’d love to get to the groups in Europe, but suspect that’ll be tough.

The other cups I suspect will be low on our priority list! We’ll be fine, though - 10th-14th.

JONNY BENTLEY

I WOULD be expecting a bottom-half finish for the Clarets as they look to find some normality after the euphoria of earning a European spot. Many of their competitors have significantly strengthened while the prospect of Europa League football will put Sean Dyche’s men through their paces.

Nonetheless, the acquisition of Ben Gibson is vital for the quality of depth he will provide at centre-back, a position that was looking threadbare until his recent arrival.

In this Burnley set-up, there isn’t a reliance on one or two individuals; games are won as a team and lost as a team. While that lack of a game-changer can be frustrating, the collective ethos that is adhered to means it would be very difficult for the Clarets to capitulate. It will be a tough season but every season in the Premier League should be.

There has been a tinge of doom and gloom because of Burnley’s lack of transfer activity but there really doesn’t have to be. This squad finished seventh, last season, and you don’t need revolutionary changes made to that. On balance, the starting XI is the strongest Burnley have had in the modern era. This is a time for optimism.