The Mechanics of Monotony: Burnley’s Boring, Brilliant 2024-25 Championship Campaign
The 2024-25 season will be spoken of in Burnley for generations—though the reasons might spark heated debate at every pub and pie shop from Turf Moor to Towneley Park. On the surface, Burnley’s journey looked like a parade of milestones, setting records that redefined defensive dominance in the English Football League. Yet for much of the footballing public, it was the most uninspiring, “boring” promotion in modern memory.
The obvious choice as the most influential manager. It’s not merely Ferguson’s amazing record of having won 12 of the 20 Premier League titles, it’s his sheer longevity – having managed United for over 25 years, he pre-dates the Premier League era.
This weekend’s first Premier League clash is a repeat of one of last season’s outstanding matches. Chelsea’s 4-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur was much less comfortable than the scoreline would suggest – an amazingly open, topsy-turvy game was decided in stoppage time, in Andre Villas-Boas’ first meeting against his former club.
Many expected January signing Moussa Sissoko to be used in a deep midfield position, with Yohan Cabaye playing at the top of the triangle – but Alan Pardew had other ideas. Sissoko was pushed forward in support of Papiss Cisse, and constantly drove Newcastle forward with powerful midfield runs.