MX23RW : Friday, November 15 10:22:10| >> :600:529416:529416:

Paul Heckingbottom wants Sheffield United to follow Burnley's example

Paul Heckingbottom wants Sheffield United to follow Burnley's example
© Reuters
The Clarets are set to complete a fifth consecutive season in the top flight.

Sheffield United interim boss Paul Heckingbottom believes Burnley provide a good example to follow as the club look to bounce back from Premier League relegation.

The Blades, who will finish bottom of the table, conclude a miserable season at home to the Clarets on Sunday, when fans will be allowed back into Bramall Lane for the first time since March 2020.

Their opponents Burnley, however, are set for a sixth successive top-flight campaign, having returned to the Premier League in 2016.

That has come after Sean Dyche's side made an immediate return following relegation, with the Blades looking to do the same next season.

Heckingbottom feels Burnley offer a good template to follow ahead of the final-day meeting between the clubs.

"Yes 100 per cent they do," said Heckingbottom. "If you are talking playing-wise and the squad, yes the evidence is there – teams who come up generally struggle but next season you can build on that and be stronger.

"Nobody wanted this to happen but we've had two seasons in the Premier League and we have to make the most of that.

"Burnley have a clear identity and clear way of playing and are now a well-established Premier League team and have started building their infrastructure and squad and have a fantastic new training facility that will be there forever.

"There has to be a legacy for being in the Premier League and that's my point – we have to build on these two years. There has to be some proof of your time in the Premier League.

"We should be in a stronger position now than the season when we went up. We need to keep building on and off the pitch and you can be exactly like Burnley and established in the Premier league."

Sunday's match will be the first played at Bramall Lane in front of supporters since March 7 last year, when the Blades beat Norwich 1-0 to continue their challenge for a place in Europe.

Despite a difficult season, Heckingbottom insists the players want to play in front of the fans.
]
He said: "No-one is shirking it, they all want to play the last game of the season.

"It's been tough, and we've missed them this season. We are one of the team that's suffered playing without fans, without a doubt.

"I remember the Manchester City game when Oli McBurnie flattened (Ruben) Dias and the place would have gone up. Instead there was a squeal from Dias, a yellow card for Oli and the place was flat again. We are looking forward to having the fans back in."

ID:448517: cacheID:448517:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4047:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Leicester City's Caglar Soyuncu celebrates scoring their second goal with James Maddison against Manchester United in the Premier League on May 11, 2021
Read Next:
Premier League gameweek 38 predictions including Leicester vs. Tottenham Hotspur
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sunderland1594225111431
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1510321971231
3Leeds UnitedLeeds158522491529
4Burnley157621861227
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom15672169725
6Watford158162322125
7Middlesbrough157352317624
8Millwall156541813523
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn156451917222
10Bristol City155732019122
11Swansea CitySwansea155461110119
12Derby CountyDerby155461919019
13Stoke CityStoke155461819-119
14Norwich CityNorwich154652322118
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds155371725-818
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd154561718-117
17Coventry CityCoventry154472021-116
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth154471526-1116
19Hull City153661620-415
20Preston North EndPreston153661523-815
21Luton TownLuton154381726-915
22Cardiff CityCardiff154381423-915
23Portsmouth152671628-1212
24Queens Park RangersQPR151771225-1310


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!