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Since failing to pick up a single three points in their first ten games, Sean Dyche’s plucky side have just about started to turn things around in the past few weeks.

Between November and December, the Clarets went four games unbeaten, came home with a win after beating high flying Southampton, and even managed a previously unthought-of 2-2 draw with the Champions in their determined attempts to steer clear of the dreaded relegation zone.

Yes, Burnley currently sit 19th in the Premier League table, and yes, an unceremonious demotion back to the Championship certainly is still on the cards for Sean Dyche’s boys, but with their recent set of good results and even better performances, the Clarets have showed that they are still worthy of a place in the top-flight of English football.

One major aspect contributing to Burnley’s survival chances this season has been their classy team spirit and togetherness on the pitch. When the Turf Moor faithful saw their side begin their Premier League journey this season, they knew their team were coming into the new campaign with no real stand-out names, very little experience, and hardly any tested know-how in England’s top tier.

The likes of Matthew Taylor, Michael Kightly and George Boyd, transferred from West Ham, Stoke City and Hull City respectively, definitely offered Sean Dyche a handful of Premier League experience this summer, but the former Watford boss could hardly have been hopeful that his side would adapt to their new league straight away.

Whilst such worries did in-fact become reality for Burnley, the Clarets have now developed a new-found flow and confidence within their new surroundings. Full-back Keiran Trippier has gained admirers among some of the Premier League’s stronger sides, striker Ashley Barnes has found goals not so hard to come by in recent weeks, and with the promotion winning heroes Danny Ings and Sam Voakes now fit and firing, the future is starting to look decent for Burnley in 2015.

Sean Dyche himself must also take a great share of the credit for beginning to turn around his side’s fortunes. The 43-year-old Kettering born boss remains one of the only ‘old-school’ English managers left in the Premier League. Through his never-say-die attitude, willingness to mix it up tactically, and impressive positive demeanour in post-match interviews, the main-man at Turf Moor has turned his side into an outfit that are now very much hard to beat. If there’s any man able to keep Burnley up this season, it would certainly have to be Dyche.

Whilst the likes of Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal receive constant praise after signing millions of pounds worth of players, surely Sean Dyche deserves a bit more credit for the job he is currently doing, and with what little resources he is doing it with?

Another important factor that should appease the relegation worries of the Turf Moor faithful, would be the distinct lack of impressive Premier League teams who are similarly looking to avoid relegation. Leicester City look a complete shadow of the side that won the Championship last season, Crystal Palace seem to have lost the resilience brought in by Tony Pulis, and whilst both QPR and West Brom will be in improved moods as of late, Hull City are another side that look like they could be in real trouble come the end of the 2014/15 campaign.

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For a side that were initially considered dead-certs to be relegated, with the power of team spirit and togetherness, Burnley might just show the rest of the footballing world that big names do not always equal success in the top flight of English football.

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In October, Cardiff City visited Portman Road coming away with all three points, thanks to two goals from Heidar Helguson; however, Cardiff had not completed a league double over the Ipswich Town since 1947.

After a successful Christmas period, it was a meeting of two of the Championships in-form teams in what historically is an intriguing and often confounding and confused contest. The Tractor Boys started with their two new signings McGoldrick and Mclean  up front meaning former Cardiff City forward and Bluebird favourite Michael Chopra was consigned to a place on the bench.

The pattern of the match was set with long range efforts missing the target, mere flashes of play in a boring lacklustre encounter where The Bluebirds failed to get into top gear, playing for the most part without any fire and passion. Bellamy aside who undoubtedly once again was the star player for The Bluebirds, his work rate earned him many rounds of applause against Ipswich, but in the end he was reduced to trying too hard to make up for some poor performances around him.

Play was stopped whilst Town’s Aaron McLean received treatment and former Bluebird striker and fans favourite Michael Chopra received the nod to warm up, grinning as he did so his grin broadened when he received a very positive reception from the home support and he duly obliged The Bluebird supporters with a quick Ayatollah to a massive cheer from the Home fans, not much else got them excited.

After the restart Bellamy’s continued to hound the Ipswich players forcing them to go as far back as goalkeeper Scott Loach rather than conceding possession to him. City looked comfortable on the ball, without really posing any serious threats, an Aron Gunnarsson long throw was met by City captain Mark Hudson, but the centre back’s header sailed over the bar.

Out of the blue Guirane N’Daw unleashed a raking drive from thirty yards out that ricocheted off Marshall’s right post, giving the home team a warning, that Ipswich were starting to find their way in the game but they were unable to sustain any pressure.

Taylor and Conway combined excellently on the left, Taylor whipping, the ball in toward Gestede, who did well to direct his header toward goal. Loach collected under pressure from Noone, playing the ball directly up field. Ipswich then won a free kick in the centre of the pitch, thirty yards out, but N’Daw drilled it straight at the wall, Mark Hudson’s clearing header was miscued and went backwards, McGoldrick found himself with the ball one-on-one with Marshall, but the chance was at an awkward angle and the Town striker hit the chance wide.

Cardiff then created their best chance so far, Bellamy laid the ball off to Craig Conway who put a low cross in, before ghosting into the box. The ball bounced around as Ipswich failed to clear, it fell again to Conway, who drilled a first time shot over the bar.

Ipswich broke on the counter attack, Turner was penalised for a high foot, and the resulting Ipswich free kick was a well drilled set piece, three players exchanging passes before Lee Martin hit in an out-swinging shot that fell just wide of the Cardiff goal.

It was end to stuff but dull with it the final pass going astray far too often.

An Ipswich throw in deep in their own half was won by Matt Connolly, his hopeful punt forward resulted in the ball finding Conway, who was felled by N’Daw. Whittingham powered the long range free kick toward the near post, it whistled by the post the Ipswich ‘keeper beaten.

Cardiff made a half time substitution: Joe Mason coming on for Rudy Gestede, but it was Ipswich that had the first chance after the break, a free kick into the far post, but no one made contact with it resulting in Cardiff winning a goal kick. Noone got on the end of Marshall’s kick and played Bellamy through with an intelligent chipped ball, his shot at goal was hoofed away by an Ipswich boot for a throw.

Bellamy’s fantastic work rate again gained Cardiff an opportunity when he chased down a Hudson long ball, beating Ipswich for pace before his low cross was deflected by Ipswich’s Tommy Smith for a corner, but again the final touch was missing and it came to nothing.

Then Ipswich made the Substitution the Bluebird faithful didn’t want to see bringing on: Michael Chopra.

Chopra’s appearance coincided with Ipswich’s best spell of possession, but like City the final ball was missing.

Ipswich brought on Daryl Murphy, while Cardiff changed Tommy Smith on for Craig Noone. Meaning there was now a Tommy Smith on for each team.

Cardiff’s Tommy Smith was playing his first game for over three months, he received a warm round of applause from the home supporters, Bellamy was still all over the pitch racing back sixty yards to dispossess Chopra.

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Conway skipped past two players before driving the ball towards goal, but it was blocked by the Ipswich defence. Cardiff was failing to test Loach in the Tractor Boys’ goal.

Chopra then conceded a free kick twenty yards out for a foul on Conway, to Loach’s left, and Whittingham stood over the ball he let fly his free kick hit the wall, it fell kindly to Conway who crossed to Aron Gunnarsson, but the Icelandic international floated his header  just over the crossbar.

Carlos Edwards was allowed to run into the Cardiff box, but his shot was deflected by Turner, Ipswich were in no hurry to take the corner. The delivery was good, it caused Cardiff to flap and panic before Chopra hit it over the bar.

Bradley Orr was booked for a foul on Bellamy, who drilled the free kick in, winning a corner. Cardiff’s number was almost up, maybe this was the last throw of the dice The Cardiff City supporters could only hope, Bellamy took the corner and delivered a sweet ball in, but yet again Cardiff failed to get on the end an Ipswich defender getting the final touch, this time Whittingham took the corner. Loach palmed the ball away, a minute later Town nearly made Cardiff pay; Nouble’s quick feet beat Hudson, but his shot fell wide of the far post, much to the home crowd’s relief. As snow started to fall the referee blew up, for the first goalless encounter this season at Cardiff City Stadium. Boring, lacklustre and frustrating it may have been, but the point ensured that The Bluebirds would stay ten points clear of third placed Leicester.

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Manchester United would have started the season hoping to challenge for the Premier League title and Champions League crown, but it has not worked out that way.

Jose Mourinho’s side – like many clubs – fell away in the league race relatively early due to Manchester City blowing the competition away.

In Europe, the Red Devils were stunned by Sevilla in the last-16 stage, but they still have an opportunity to end the season with silverware.

The club are in the semi-finals of the FA Cup and today it was confirmed that they will take on Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley on April 21.

The North London outfit will have a slight advantage given that they have been playing at the national stadium all season due to it being their temporary home.

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Following some disappointing performances and outbursts from the manager in the media, supporters are not hugely confident of progressing into the final.

On Twitter, the overwhelming reaction to the selection date was of desperation to win rather than expectation.

We’ve barely managed to digest the midweek Premier League action yet once again we find ourselves with another full schedule of top-flight football to feast our eyes over this weekend.

London and Midlands derbies, bottom-of-the-table scraps, unsavoury reunions and a showdown between the season’s surprise packages will all be on show.

And while there are plenty more things to look forward to, here are the pick of the bunch…

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Clash of the surprise packages at Upton Park

After their respective problems last season, who would have guessed that West Ham United versus Swansea City would be billed as a clash between two sides challenging for Europe? After a minor blip the Irons have won their past two games and are riding high in fifth with 24 points, while the Swans sit two points and two places below them, still very much in the hunt for the European qualification places after an important home victory against QPR on Tuesday. Both sides will be desperate to avoid defeat which could mean a tight affair at Upton Park on Sunday, however with the two teams playing attractive football this season and containing a number of flair players, there remains the potential for the game to be a cracker.

Man United to take advantage of Saints’ injury woes?

Despite a remarkable start, Southampton’s season is in real danger of careering off the rails; an agonisingly late defeat to Arsenal on Wednesday means the Saints are on a three-match winless streak, and an ever-growing injury list makes Monday night’s home tie against in-form Manchester United a daunting one for Ronald Koeman’s side. Although the Red Devils have significant injury problems of their own, they boast greater depth in their squad, and will be confident of securing a result on the South Coast. Indeed, it is the Saints’ lack of effective options beyond their first team that could be their downfall this season. The tie will also be an intriguing one given that Koeman and United boss Louis van Gaal – who once worked together at Barcelona in the late 1990s – are supposedly not on good terms, dating back to a feud which developed when the pair were working at Ajax.

The ultimate test of Arsenal’s mettle

Stoke City versus Arsenal at the Britannia has become one of the Premier League’s most hostile encounters, partly because of the perceived jarring contrast between Stoke’s rough and physical approach to the game and Arsenal’s more delicate and aesthetically pleasing style of play, but mainly due to the animosity which has existed between the two teams following a horrific leg break suffered by Gunners midfielder Aaron Ramsey in 2010 after a challenge by Potters defender Ryan Shawcross. While it may be lazy to continue labelling Stoke as an ugly side more concerned with tackling and shoving than with passing and moving – indeed, they played some wonderful football at times last season under Mark Hughes – this particular tie still seems to motivate the Potters more than any other game. Arsenal’s record against Stoke at the Britannia has been awful in recent years – will Arsene Wenger’s men show some resilience and mental fortitude to grind out a victory and silence the doubters? Or will they wilt yet again?

Relegation dogfight at Loftus Road…

Two crucial relegation clashes in the space of a week at Loftus Road for Harry Redknapp’s QPR side – while last weekend’s hard-fought 3-2 victory over Leicester City may have briefly boosted the team’s confidence, the Rs came crashing back down to earth in midweek with a limp defeat at Swansea City. Burnley are the visitors on Saturday; considered to be dead certs for the drop just a few weeks ago, the Clarets have astounded everyone by embarking on a four-match unbeaten run, and three points this weekend would lift them out of the relegation zone. This is a game that QPR simply must win in their fight for Premier League survival; they may be pre-match favourites, but they certainly shouldn’t take buoyant Burnley for granted.

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…and at the KC Stadium

Sitting precariously in 16th and 17th place respectively, West Bromwich Albion and Hull City would not have liked to have gone into their tie at the KC Stadium as possible relegation candidates. Nevertheless, a dire run of form for both sides has rendered them thus; four successive losses means that Baggies boss Alan Irvine is currently the bookies’ favourite for the sack, while Hull manager Steve Bruce hasn’t exactly excelled this season either, despite significant investment in the summer. Another damaging loss could signal the end for one of these embattled managers.

Got any questions? Follow me on Twitter @GruffuddOwen

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling is astonished by how quickly Robin van Persie has settled at the club.

The Dutchman arrived at Old Trafford from Premier League rivals Arsenal over the summer and has made an instant impact, netting 15 goals in his first 21 appearances.

Smalling hailed the 29-year-old’s start with the Red Devils as all the more surprising due to having a limited pre-season, after signing with the Red Devils in August:

“Obviously he only came in the summer and didn’t have much of a pre-season. But he came straight into the matches and has been such a threat.” He is quoted by The Metro.

“He is putting teams on the back foot and making our job easier at the back.”

Even manager Sir Alex Ferguson revealed his shock at just how easily the £24m arrival has adjusted:

“He has a fantastic record,

“What you are seeing is a player who has come to his mature years.

“Experience is counting for him now. He has the knowledge and ability and last season his form was terrific.

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“Even Arsenal, having had him for a few years, were realising what his best position is. We do the same.”

Van Persie started his career with hometown club Feyenoord, before moving to Arsenal in 2004 for £2.75m

He made almost 200 appearances for the Londoners before switching to United last summer.

‘Cajones’ was the prevailing soundbite from Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Watford on Sunday, having been accused of possessing an abundant lack of by Hornets skipper Troy Deeney after losing the reverse fixture earlier this season – a surprise 2-1 defeat at Vicarage Road. His argument is hardly unheard of in regards to the north London club, suggesting the Gunners are often held back by their own soft core.

Seemingly buoyed by their 2-0 win over AC Milan in midweek though, which has given Arsene Wenger a vital chance to end the season on a positive note with Champions League qualification, Arsenal were certainly up for the physical challenge Watford presented them with at the Emirates Stadium, particularly at the heart of defence which has often been the Gunners’ ropiest department.

Indeed, Shkodran Mustafi rose highest at an early corner to head home Arsenal’s first goal after just eight minutes, while the defender alongside him – youngster Rob Holding – provided a combative, aggressive and physical presence that the Gunners have disappointingly lacked during key moments of their season.

The 22-year-old – who Transfermarkt value at £6.3million – weighed in with the joint-most clearances, the most interceptions and the second-most aerial duels of any Arsenal player, while making one tackle and blocking one shot in an impressive defensive display for a prospect with just 17 Premier League appearances under his belt.

Arsenal welcome AC Milan to the Emirates Stadium later this week for the reverse leg of their Europa League tie. So after such an impressive performance, should Holding keep his place in the starting XI? Let us know by voting below…

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There’s no question Liverpool have endured a difficult start to the 2014/2015 Premier League season. After last season’s impressive second placed finish in which they were fingertips away from having a their hands on the title, the Reds currently sit in midtable and have already lost to the likes of West Ham and Aston Villa. The departure of Luis Suarez has no doubt put the Merseysiders at a disadvantage, as his replacement Mario Balotelli hasn’t lived up to his £16m price tag so far.

In some respects, Brendan Rodgers’ summer spending spree – he spent in excess of a staggering £110m – has rather gone to waste. Many were expecting young talent’s Emre Can and Lazar Markovic to start brightly and show the Premier League they are future world beaters. But their spell in England’s top flight has thus far been plagued with injury. Rickie Lambert has struggled to get in the first team, but he could never realistically last the full 90 minutes anyway, Dejan Lovren is been part of a defence that has leaked sloppy goals and Adam Lallana hasn’t delivered the goods regularly, with most expecting him to be the shining light in the Liverpool midfield.

The current crop of players that have spent at least one season at Liverpool, including Mamadou Sakho and Daniel Sturridge, have failed to find the superb form they reproduced last season. Another player in this category is Simon Mignolet and questions are being asked about the Belgium international ‘s physicality. This has sparked rumours that former FC Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes, who is a free agent, could come in to replace the signing from Sunderland.

Valdes was Barcelona’s number one goalkeeper since 2002, and was considered one of the best shot stoppers in the world, despite not being first choice for his country. So why hasn’t a club snapped him up yet? Well he’s recovering from a serious knee injury, so any club that takes on Valdes will be signing an unfit player. Mignolet is still relatively young, and has vast experience in England’s top flight. If Rodgers wants another goalkeeper to challenge Mignolet, he should wait until January and nab Chelsea’s Petr Cech.

The 31 year old has been replaced as the Blues’ number one goalkeeper by 21 year old Thibaut Courtois at Stamford Bridge. From 2011-2014 while Cech was still number one for the West Londoners and Courtois was on loan at Spanish side Atletico Madrid, in which time the Czech Republic international had a higher save success rate with 76.8%, made more saves per game and claimed more crosses than his teammate.

Meanwhile in the 2013/2013 campaign, Mignolet’s save success rate was 6% lower than Cech and he conceded 23 more goals than, despite Liverpool finishing above Chelsea in the table. Cech’s Premier League prowess is the reason why he still regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and will certainly make a bigger difference than Valdes if he was to sign for the Anfield club.

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Loic Remy is Newcastle’s preferred transfer target should Demba Ba leave Tyneside in January.

Having failed to agree a new contract with Ba, Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is not willing to leave his squad short in attack, and Marseille striker Remy is now the frontrunner for a transfer to St James’ Park, The Northern Echo reports.

The French international’s earnings would fit in to the club’s strict wage structure and not cost beyond the sort of figures they are looking to spend.

Although the 25-year-old is valued in excess of £13m, Marseille are willing to lower their asking price if an agreement can be reached over a part-exchange deal.

Magpies winger and fellow Frenchman Gabriel Obertan has been touted as the player to form part of any player-plus-cash deal, meaning that Newcastle would have to pay around £10m for Marseille’s talisman.

Remy has won 17 caps for France and scored 27 times in his 68 appearances since moving from Nice two years ago, but he has fallen out of favour at the Stade Velodrome this season.

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In an ideal situation Pardew would successfully convince Ba to sign a new deal at St James’ Park and then focus on investing in other areas, as the Toon’s manager hopes to avoid a repeat of January 2011, when Andy Carroll was sold without being replaced:

“It is a difficult window, but I think we would like to get – definitely – one player in and not lose anybody. It could be that we lose a player, you never know.”

Newcastle United fans in the Transfer Tavern will be hoping that Mike Ashley loosens the purse strings and adds some real quality to the squad. 

The Toon finished tenth in the League in what was only their second season since being promoted. Back in the Premier League and with a top quality manager, Newcastle need to build on last year and signing some quality players this summer is essential. Although this might seem ludicrous to the Toon faithful, Rafael Benitez should be looking at Real Madrid’s wantaway midfielder, Mateo Kovacic.

Recently the Magpies have been linked with a move for Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish, which be a good signing in itself but if Benitez wants to take Newcastle into Europe, an ambitious bid for Mateo Kovacic is the one to make.

The Croatian midfielder is currently away at the World Cup, revealed last month that he wanted to leave (as per Marca) the Real Madrid in search for more first-team football.

Although he has largely been a bit part player for the Champions League winners, Kovacic is still a top player and would surely attract interest from all the top clubs in Europe.

Kovacic has the rare ability to be able to pick the ball up from deep and drive forward. He’s also technical enough to link up the play from deep and also, when needed, he has the capability to play in a deeper more defensive role which he did superbly for Madrid at times.

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Rated at £27 million by Transfermarkt, it would probably take a bid closer to £40 million to secure his services but with the player keen to leave, with the allure of the Premier League, it’s a move that’s not completely out of the question. After all, Benitez was the man who brought him to the Spanish capital in the first place!

Would you be happy with this Newcastle fans? 

According to reports in The Mirror, West Ham United are set to reignite their interest in Anderlecht midfielder Leander Dendoncker, rated at £16.2m by Transfermarkt, during the summer.

What’s the word, then?

Well, The Mirror says that Irons boss David Moyes failed in an attempt to land the highly-rated 22-year-old during the January transfer window, but he remains a big fan of the Belgium international and will try again in the summer.

The Mirror says that the midfield area is one that the Scottish boss is desperate to strengthen at the end of the season, and even if he managed to prise Dendoncker away from Anderlecht he would still be looking to add another one to his squad as well.

How has Dendoncker done this season?

He has once again been a key player for the Belgian club.

The defensive midfielder, who has also played as a centre-back for Anderlecht on a number of occasions during the current campaign, has made 33 appearances in all competitions for them this term, including the full 90 minutes in all six of their Champions League group matches.

He has also captained his team on seven occasions to show the leadership qualities that he has, including as a central defender in the 5-3 win against Mouscron on Sunday.

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Would he be a good signing for West Ham?

He certainly would be.

Despite the fact that he doesn’t celebrate his 23rd birthday until April, he has already made 160 appearances for Anderlecht and would arrive at the London Stadium with experience of playing regularly in the Belgian top flight and in the Champions League.

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While he has featured as a centre-back for his current club, Moyes would be more likely to use the 6ft 2in player as a defensive midfielder, given as he is good at winning the ball back and decent when in possession.

Will they get him?

They could well do.

It seems as though they got close to doing a deal in January and while that failed, the player appears to be keen on a move to the Premier League and with none of the top six sides likely to make a move for him as things stand, that could leave West Ham and Moyes in pole position to get their man.