Burnley 1 Watford 0: Five things we learned

That’s one way to silence the critics. Scott Arfield has a few doubters amongst the Clarets fanbase but he once again came good on Saturday.

The feeling seems to be that Burnley have moved on from workhorses like Arfield. That’s an unfair judgement.

Arfield might not be winning any individual awards but he can remain a key squad member, this is a squad game after all.

Those critics would have felt vindicated in the first 40 minutes when, in truth, he wasn’t at the races. But Arfield showed what he can do with a wonderfully taken goal and grew into the game after that.

Sean Dyche will surely head into the transfer market for a winger in January and Arfield might well find himself back on the bench, but there’s no doubt he can still play a part in this squad.

CAPTAIN CORK

Saturday was another feather in the cap for Jack Cork who is having a dream season after returning to Turf Moor.

Cork is now one of only two Clarets, alongside James Tarkowski, to have played every minute of the Premier League campaign and he’s been consistently excellent in midfield.

That form earned him a call-up to the England squad and a first Three Lions cap and against Watford he captained Burnley for the first time in the absence of Tom Heaton and Ben Mee - on which more later.

Cork is no stranger to leadership having taken the armband at Swansea at times last season, but Dyche’s decision to make him captain on Saturday is a sign of his growing influence at Burnley.

JBG BACKS IT UP

Talking of a growing influence Saturday was another stellar day for Johann Berg Gudmundsson, who is beginning to look an absolute bargain at £3.5million.

The Iceman is in top form at the moment and you can see that translating to confidence on the pitch, with one turn on the touchline in the first half a wonderful piece of skill.

During the week he insisted he was going to thrive under the pressure of being chief creator in Robbie Brady’s absence and he was true to his word, providing yet another assist.

That’s five in the Premier League and only David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Aaron Ramsey and Leroy Sane have more.

Gudmundsson also took over free-kick duties from Brady and he came close to scoring from a dead ball situation, before being denied again in the second half by another fine Heurelho Gomes save.

MEE AND HEATON

Some of you may have seen the Heaton and Mee stat I posted on Twitter before the game on Saturday but it’s worth repeating.

The game against Watford was the first league game since Heaton joined Mee at Turf Moor in the summer of 2013 that the Clarets had started without either of them. That’s 183 consecutive games with either Heaton or Mee in the starting line-up, and usually both.

It’s worth remembering that Heaton arrived on a free transfer from a side relegated from the Championship and Mee was a Manchester City cast-off.

They’ve been incredible servants to this club and have both developed to be amongst the outstanding players in their position in the country.

RESPONDING TO DEFEATS

Bouncebackability was the cringe worthy phrase dreamt up by Iain Dowie in 2004 when his Crystal Palace side responded to a setback well.

There must be a better way of describing it, but whatever it is Burnley have it in spades.

They’ve lost four Premier League games this season so far have and on every occasion they’ve responded in style.

After defeat to West Brom they knocked Blackburn out of the Carabao Cup and drew at Wembley against Spurs. Then came a defeat to Man City, but not to worry, three straight Premier League wins followed.

Arsenal then snatched the points from Turf Moor in injury-time again, but the Clarets responded within three days with a win at Bournemouth.

The fourth defeat arrived last weekend against Leicester City but sure enough Dyche’s side again put it behind them immediately with Saturday’s win.

Dyche is a firm believer in getting defeats out of the system as soon as possible, the last game is gone so move on, and Burnley have backed up that mantra this term.