CLARETS reporter Tyrone Marshall discusses the talking points from Burnley’s defeat at Wolves.

SCORING GOALS

Sean Dyche was critical of Burnley’s display offensively at Molineux and you can see why.

It was certainly difficult to watch the fluidity, invention and pace of Wolves, compared to the clunkiness of the Clarets approach.

The sighting of Ashley Barnes and Sam Vokes on the teamsheet gave a warning as to how the Clarets were going to approach the game, but the two-up-top, physical style looked dated here.

The one reasonable chance Burnley created – Matej Vydra’s volley across goal – came from a half-cleared free-kick. It was a chance created by circumstance, rather than any clear strategy.

With Wolves, as usual, operating with attacking wing-backs there was, in theory, space for Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Aaron Lennon to exploit.

But they comprehensively lost the battle with Matt Doherty and Jonny, driven back and unable to get on the ball in areas that could hurt the hosts.

In truth, it felt like Burnley could have played until next Sunday and not scored. The Clarets have rarely been free scorers under Dyche, sacrificing some attacking intent to stay solid at the back, but this was as toothless as they’ve looked for a while.

GIVING UP CHANCES

The lack of attacking intent isn’t such a worry when Burnley at their best – grinding out clean sheets and staying in games.

Dyche highlighted how his side looked to have some of that resilience back in the Midlands, making numerous blocks to thwart Wolves.

But it has to be a worry how easy the opposition are finding it to create these opportunities.

In their last three league games the Clarets have faced 76 shots, with 32 of them on target. That is not a recipe for long-term success, especially when two of those fixtures were at newly promoted sides.

Burnley finished seventh last season scoring just 36 goals in 38 games. They did so because they conceded just 39. If the defence creaks and that number shoots up, while the goals don’t flow at the other end, then the Clarets really could find themselves in trouble.

CONTINUITY

One reason given for Watford’s unexpectedly quick start to the Premier League season – winning their first four games – was that Javi Gracia has picked a side that played together last season. There has been no settling in period on the pitch for new signings, no learning new instructions, the starting XI simply picked up where they left off last season.

If that’s the case, why is it not working for Burnley? We can point to failings in the transfer market this summer, but the other side of that coin is that the team who have started all five Premier League games, aside from Joe Hart, all played together last season, when the Clarets finished seventh.

Yet at the moment they look like they’ve never met. It’s like going round at five-a-side introducing yourself to the new boy. The collective was Burnley’s great strength last season.

Europe is fast disappearing as an excuse. Yes, it was a tough start to the season for the Clarets, but there was rotation and the best league performance of the season, at Southampton, came after the longest trip, to Istanbul.

The international break was a change to start afresh, but it doesn’t look like huge strides forward have been made.

WEATHER WARNING

‘Stuck in a fog’ was Dyche’s phrase after the game to describe the current slump and you can see what he means.

Games are happening around Burnley at the moment. The Clarets were more than willing participants wherever they want last season, making life difficult for the opposition whatever the outcome.

At the moment the opposition are finding it far too easy to play around the Clarets, to move them out of position and most unexpectedly to win the battle to play. It’s most un-Burnley like.

SCALP

After their unexpected success of last season there were always likely to be tougher challenges this term for the Clarets.

By finishing as best of the rest outside the top six and qualifying for Europe they have put themselves, whether they like it or not, on a pedestal. There to be shot at.

Claiming a win against the Clarets is suddenly seen as a great success, a statement of intent for the likes of Fulham, Watford and Wolves.

Burnley are now a scalp. Teams will be fully prepared for the Clarets. They are going to have to learn to deal with that, and potentially find a new approach to counter it.