Pope Expecting Burnley To Push On In Premier League

Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope is confident he and his team-mates can help push the club to another level this season. The Clarets are currently enjoying a fifth campaign in six in the top flight, and Sean Dyche has worked wonders at Turf Moor since he arrived in 2012.

The former Watford boss helped the club achieve promotion in 2014 before they were relegated 12 months later after finishing 19th.

Dyche’s men bounced back at the first attempt, and have since finished 16th, 7th and 15th.
In the previous three campaigns, Burnley hit the 40-point mark with games to spare, but Pope believes his team should be aiming higher.

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The Clarets qualified for the Europa League in 2017-18, but their domestic campaign last term suffered as they failed to reach the group stages.

Burnley eventually rallied in the second half of the season, but Pope is confident his side have learned their lessons.
He told the Burnley Express: “I don’t think there have been any massive changes. You try and evolve every year; we’re a Premier League team, so we don’t want to stand still. If you do that, then you’ll find yourself in danger of getting stuck in a rut.

“We’ve learnt things in the years we’ve had in the Premier League, we’re evolving this year and learning new things to take us up to the next level.”

Pope, who was an unused substitute in England’s qualifiers against Bulgaria and Kosovo, has made 39 league appearances since joining from Charlton Athletic. He has now claimed the number one spot at Turf moor, keeping Joe Hart and Bailey Peacock-Farrell on the sidelines.

Burnley are 12th in the Premier League after the first four matches, with their opening weekend 3-0 victory over Southampton their only win to date.