Phil Bardsley ‘very concerned’ about bottom-of-the-Championship side Burnley

Burnley will head into the international break sitting bottom of the Championship in what has been a horror start to the season for the Clarets – and former defender Phil Bardsley has voiced his concerns over the club’s direction.

In their last two home games, the Clarets have blown a 1-0 lead late in the game.

The first time was a 2-1 home loss to Bristol City in which the Robins scored twice late on to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat – then Derby County’s stoppage-time equaliser at the weekend stopped the Clarets from winning a first home league game in 11 months.

It means there is plenty of work to do for Nicky Hayen’s side over the three-week break, and despite various key players returning to action such as Josh Cullen and Dastan Satpayev, only a succession of wins will begin to dispel any doubts of back-to-back relegations.

And former defender Bardsley, speaking to Lyllo Casino, has voiced his concerns, rendering their squad ‘unrecognisable’.

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Burnley ‘unrecognisable’ from their former selves

Bardsley said: “I’d be very concerned at Burnley. 

“I’m not sure they’ve got the greatest squad in the world, nor am I sure they’ve recruited well over the last two or three years in terms of players for the Premier League and what the Championship requires. 

“They’ve got a little bit of experience in there, but I look at the squad now and, if I’m being genuinely honest, I barely recognise anybody, their background, where they’ve come from, or where they’ve played. 

“That’s really disappointing because sometimes you need experienced players who have been around these leagues and played at a certain level. 

“When I look at the team and the squad, It’s just unrecognisable what they’re trying to do or how it looks there.”

Burnley have an easier run of fixtures after the break

Perhaps one of the only silver linings Burnley have is that an easier set of fixtures follow after players return from international duty.

They have already faced league leaders Swansea City, high-flying West Ham United, West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough, as well as tough away clashes to Norwich City and Wrexham.

With the likes of Charlton Athletic, Portsmouth, Lincoln City and Cardiff City all coming up after the break, it could give Hayen that break needed.

But Bardsley is correct – there are worrying times at Turf Moor, especially for a side that have secured automatic promotion in each of their previous four Championship campaigns.

READ MORE: Burnley 1-1 Derby County: Clarets boss Nicky Hayen vows to keep fighting despite poor run