Summer Transfer Watch- Burnley (1)
Burnley may have been the last side into the Premier League but Owen Coyle has wasted no time in beginning to beef up his squad for the challenge ahead. Three new names are on board and clearly they are just the start.
Burnley's task is to perform like Hull City rather than Derby County. The Clarets need quality in all departments to supplement players who gave a good account against Premier League opponents last season.
The manager has a big reputation in Scotland, as Celtic's pursuit of him indicated. Burnley benefitted when Coyle was able to hold on to Steven Thompson and Kevin McDonald and now he's raided the Scottish market for Stephen Fletcher from Hibernian.
Like Thompson, Fletcher has been capped for Scotland and scores at a goal every four games. He's one of the players who has progressed under Tony Mowbray and John Collins at Easter Road, both coaches who believe in an attractive passing game. At £3 million he's worth a punt to see if he can crack it in the Premiership.
The other arrivals bring some youthful energy to a defence that is experienced and steady but needs a bit of vigour injected. David Edgar is probably glad to escape the Newcastle madhouse. The young Canadian has around 20 appearances at top level and will benefit from being part of a stable club- and he arrives on a free so that could be very good business.
Tyrone Mears has already been around at Premiership level. Clarets fans will forgive him for being an ex-Preston player if he produces the goods. He initially played for West Ham but Derby signed him after a loan spell.
Like many Rams players he had problems during their disastrous Premiership season and he spent part of last year on loan at Marseille. Probably represents a bit of a gamble but there's no doubt he has talent that could make him a Premiershipo candidate again.
Clarets fans are realistic about the spending power at the club's disposal but the level of faith in Owen Coyle is massive and these three signings are proof that his reputation in the game can make Burnley competitive in the market.
