SLOW STARTS

Burnley were brighter after the break at the London Stadium, but once again it was a disappointing first half performance.

The Clarets almost got lucky and get in at half-time all square. It wouldn’t have been deserved but it might finally have given them something to build on.

The tone was set in the opening minutes. Passes went astray, poor decisions were made and the tempo was lacking.

It was the same at Stoke, where again Burnley were better after the break when they found themselves on the back foot and having to respond.

Playing away in the Premier League is hard enough without giving the opposition a head start, and the Clarets have to start performing for 90 minutes away from home.

STEVEN DEFOUR

Burnley’s Belgian midfielder was the man sacrificed at half-time at the Hawthorns when the Clarets found themselves 3-0 down at the break after another horrible first half display.

He hasn’t been sighted away from home since, despite starting both Turf Moor fixtures in that period.

Sean Dyche hasn’t been afraid to alter it home and away this season and at the moment it seems he is happy to do without Defour for away assignments.

Perhaps part of that comes with the return to 4-4-2 on the road and doubts over Defour’s ability to see games out in that shape, but when he is probably Burnley’s most creative outlet it has seemed strange to leave him sat on the bench when chasing a goal against Stoke and West Ham.

IT’S ABOUT TO GET TOUGHER

Burnley had a tough start away from home but their last three fixtures presented a chance to put things right.

As already mentioned, no away game at this level is going to be a stroll in the park, but t Trips to West Brom, Stoke and a struggling West Ham have to go down as opportunities missed. No goals scored, seven conceded and no points.

The bad news is that things are about to get a whole lot tougher for the Clarets.

On Sunday they go to Tottenham, unbeaten at White Hart Lane, before a January 2 trip to Manchester City and then another journey to north London to face Arsenal.

Taking one point from those three games would be seen as a good return but Burnley could do with finding one from somewhere, purely from a confidence point of view.