Clarets warn not to believe the table

The second-bottom side in the Championship are enjoying a mid-season revival under new boss Dean Saunders, thanks to wins over Leicester City and league leaders Southampton in their last three games.

“They’re a dangerous side. They’ve had an improved run of form, beating Leicester and Southampton. Anyone who is capable of doing that deserves our full respect and our full attention,” warned Howe ahead of this afternoon’s Boxing Day clash.

“There are no easy games in this league. Every game is incredibly difficult.

“They’ve got some very good players – Billy Sharp, Brian Stock – who have been there and done it, but they’ve also added with their unique way of purchasing players at the moment.

“They’ve added some real experience to their squad, a lot of players who have played at a higher level, and they’ve got an interesting mix.

Much about the Yorkshire club’s make-up has changed since the two teams last met. But the same could be said of Burnley.

However, while Howe has dipped into a younger market, former Wrexham manager Saunders has plumped for Premier League cast-offs like El-Hadji Diouf in an effort to make them big hitters in the Championship.

“They’ve spent quite a bit. I think all options available to them and got together a squad that does have good players in there and experience certainly. That poses its own tests for us. Their players have been there and done it,” Howe continued.

“I think the interesting thing from an outsider will be how the team will gel together because they’ve got different personalities mixed in there.

“Long-term that will be an interesting one to watch.”

Naturally, Howe’s main attentions have focused on his own group, though. And he believes he is beginning to see the benefits of his own nurturing skills.

“We’re looking a more dangerous side as the season progresses and adding goals from different areas, which is really important,” he said.

“You want goals from everywhere if you can – centre halves, full backs – it just takes the burden off the centre forwards, who are the guys that you look to week in, week out.

“I’m pleased with how the team is developing and I feel like we’re going the right way.”

Defender Michael Duff believes a settled back five, including keeper Lee Grant, right, has been key to their upturn in form, as the Clarets go into today’s game on the back of a run of four wins in five games.

“It helps. I’ve never really played with Eddy (David Edgar) before,” he said. “We’ve been at the club for the last two years and I think I’ve played with him twice before – against Manchester United and Reading away.

“It takes time. We know each other, obviously, because we train together, but it’s a case of getting an understanding and I think at the minute it’s working quite well.

“Kieran Trippier has been outstanding. He’s a modern day full back – the opposite to what I was as right back.

“I think Ben (Mee) has done really well too. He’s a little bit like me in that he’s a centre half playing at full back. There’s a bit more solidity – he won’t bomb on as much as Tripps but he obviously gives us more of a solid base at the back so I think they’ve both done really well.”

But equally Duff is aware of the dangers Doncaster pose.

“If you created a league table just from the last six or seven weeks they wouldn’t be where they are now. It may be a bit of a false position that they’re in,” he said. “I think they’ll be quite confident. They’ve brought in a lot of good quality players with the new manager so it will be a tough test.

“If people just look at the league table and assume it’s three points then I think they’ll be very surprised.”