CAPTAIN Ben Mee believes the Clarets might have to come up with a new plan or two to overcome their challenging start to the season.

Burnley find themselves bottom of the Premier League with just one point from their opening five games, having suffered four consecutive defeats.

Mee admits the side haven’t been good enough so far this season, having conceded 10 goals in those last four games.

But the 28-year-old said the success of last season - when Burnley finished seventh - has made this campaign tougher, with the Clarets now seen as a scalp by most of their Premier League rivals.

“It’s a challenge. Teams are expecting a tough game against us week in and week out now,” said defender Mee.

“We need to overcome that and improve.

“Teams are watching us and maybe sussing us out a little bit so we need to work hard and maybe try a few new things.”

The squad that finished as best of the rest last term remains intact at Turf Moor, but they have come nowhere near hitting those same heights in the early weeks of this season.

Mee insists it’s ‘far too early’ to be looking at the table and worrying and said the experience within the squad can help them take a step back and see the bigger picture during this difficult run.

“I think with experience you can do that, you go through these things and the more experience and more knowledge you have you can look at it from a different perspective,” said the Clarets skipper.

“We’ll work hard in the week and we’ll come back stronger.

“We’re pretty calm still, but we need to play better, that’s the bottom line really.

“It’s the same squad as last season but we need to start improving and start playing better and hopefully the results will come.”

It’s not the first time Burnley have suffered winless runs in the top flight under Dyche.

In their first Premier League campaign they didn’t win until the 11th game of the season, yet still weren’t far off staying up, while last season they went 10 league games without a win but bounced back to then win five in a row.

That proves results can quickly turn at this level and Mee is hoping for a similar impact once the Clarets are up and running this season.

“We can come back from these types of results and I’m sure we will,” he said.

“Momentum can turn quickly, it’s a tough league when you’re not playing well, but when we’re playing well we can pick up results.

“We’ve done it before and we’ll look to do it again.

“We need to work hard and get back on track.

“We’ve got an honest and reliable squad, we’re always working hard and if you do that and do the right things the results will come.

“We rely on the group of players, we’ve got to work hard and turn things around. We’ve done it before. We’ll work hard and come back stronger.”

That first win could arrive against Bournemouth at Turf Moor this weekend, but even if the wait goes on Mee is aware that it’s a long season for fortunes to change.

“You win one and it’s three points and that’s it, it’s just a win,” he said.

“With the experience of being there and winning games you know it’s a long season.

“Whether you win or lose it’s a long season to pick up points.”