GRAHAM Branch says Burnley always faced an uphill task bouncing right back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

The retired defender, who made 264 league appearances for the Clarets, finds it frustrating that his former club isn’t sharing in the end of season shoot-out drama in the Championship.

Burnley missed out on the play-offs in the final weeks of the season as their challenge eventually buckled under new boss Eddie Howe.

“You always have expectation at a football club, especially one like Burnley. It’s a big club,” said Branch.

“But maybe there was a little bit too much expectation this season.

“It’s understandable that fans would get carried away after a season in the Premier League, in which they acquired a lot of ‘new’ or returning fans too because they added about another 8,000 to their average attendances.

“But the Championship is probably the most competitive league in this country and bouncing straight back up wasn’t going to be that straight forward because everyone’s capable of beating everyone else.

“To finish first and second to get out of this league you know that you’ve done very well.”

He added: “Burnley were expected to ride the crest of a wave when the new manager came in halfway through the season, but it doesn’t always work that way.

“He did well at Bourne-mouth, but he needs time to stamp his style on things at Burnley.

“There’s no reason why he can’t do well again after making the step up.”