Premier League 2021/22: How Mike Jackson has removed the shackles as Burnley look set to stay up – tactical analysis

Once again, Burnley are fighting a relegation battle in the Premier League. Burnley sacked the semi-mythical figure of Sean Dyche after Burnleys loss to Norwich, which caused quite a stir. Dyche left, Mike Jackson took the helm and immediately injected Burnley with energy. After four games, Burnley have won three and drawn one under Jackson. Since taking over, Burnelys tactics have deviated slightly from the era of Dyche, and The Clarets seem to be thriving under Jackson.

This tactical analysis will feature how Mike Jackson has changed the tactics at Burnley.

The data

This section compares the data from Jacksons first four games in charge and the reverse fixture that Dyche managed. The four teams they faced were West Ham, Southampton, Wolves and Watford, and all statistics will be on a per-game basis.

Expected goals (xG) have shot up with Jackson. Under Jackson, Burnley has produced 1.9 xG, more than double what Dyches team created (0.8). Also, shots have increased to 11.8 under Jackson from 9.5 under Dyche. Shots on target have more than doubled from 2 to 4.3.

In possession, Burnley passes the ball 7% more often, and the accuracy has increased from 73.4% to 79%. The number of long balls has reduced from 59.8 to 45.3, and the accuracy has gone up by 9%. Also, Burnely have averaged 43.3% possession under Jackson, which is more than Dyches 41%.

Burnley have opened themselves up a lot more, as shown by their xG against increasing from 1 to 1.7. Their shots against almost identical, and the difference in shots on target are insignificant.

Despite the eye test telling otherwise, Jackson has reduced the PPDA from 9.7 to 11.2.

You can take the Dyche out of Burnley&

Dyche did not have a fleeting impact on Burnley. Before his sacking, he was the longest-serving manager in the Premier League after spending nine seasons at Turf Moor. He has brought in and developed all the players currently playing under Jackson, and it shows.

Burnley are known as a team that scores from set-pieces and crosses, both of which are still applicable to Burnley under Jackson. Burnley have scored three out of their six goals, under Jackson, from corners and crosses. One of these goals came against West Ham, which seems like the class Dyche goal. Burnley win two headers in West Hams 6-yard-box and scored from it. The goal against Southampton was also from a corner where Nathan Collins out-leaps any defender. Finally, the last goal here was the first goal against Watford. We can see ex-Chelsea midfielder Jack Cork running towards the back post, and he uses his determination to get any body part to the cross, which led to a possible season-defining goal.

Something that has stayed similar is the goalkeepers distribution. These examples against Watford show how Jackson has tried to keep his tactics similar to Dyches. Nick Pope, a goalkeeper, not known for his composure on the ball, has been told to keep launching the ball forward if he is pressed on the ball. Pope could be facing a one-man press, and he will still kick it long despite having multiple options available to him.

Finally, the formation has not been touched. Burnley still play their usual 4-4-2 formation, and Jackson does not overthink the lineup, typically keeping players to their preferred positions. Plus, Jackson is ready to add on defenders, such as when fullback Matthew Lowton replaced winger Aaron Lennon when ahead in matches which was a common theme under Dyche. Burnley are still their usual gritty self but with a few differences.

Defensive differences

Unfair