Nobody has been overawed, and underlying this is the team spirit that has remained unbreakable. The incredible collective will that won promotion is clearly still there. Jason Shackell at the heart of the defence has looked a natural at Premier League level with his composure and calm. Statistically he is the 15th best defender in Europe. The veteran Michael Duff, alongside him, has performed like a man ten years younger. He has years of experience to fall back on. His instinct, anticipation and football brain have enabled him to read the game and make superb interventions. Kieron Trippier was a player we all hoped would fit into the division and this he has done. With every game he has got better and his attacking skill and ability to cross the ball has featured more and more. Scott Arfield has continued his fairytale rise from obscurity at Huddersfield to centre-stage at Burnley. It is a mystery why Gordon Strachan overlooks him for Scotland. Tom Heaton has remained a formidable barrier in goal. His performance at Arsenal was breathtaking. The Burnley squad is comprised of solely UK players but Premier League money has also enabled the formation of a European scouting system for the first time ever. And of course Danny Ings has now started to score, as we all hoped.
