It was news that Burnley fans had been dreading, but confirmation that Robbie Brady needs knee surgery and will be out for a substantial period of time is a bitter pill to swallow. The Republic of Ireland international was forced off after half an hour in the Clarets’ 1-0 loss at Leicester last weekend following a collision with Foxes centre-back Harry Maguire. It’s a blow to Burnley’s quest to consolidate a more secure standing in the Premier League, that much is true.
While a host of Burnley performers have stood out this season, Brady’s influence to the side means he is arguably one of the most important players in Sean Dyche’s side. The Clarets don’t necessarily focus their efforts primarily on maximising the aerial capabilities of Sam Vokes, Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes, but they’re a team that has that second lowest possession average (43.7%) in the Premier League this season. A player of Brady’s calibre, then, is vital for a team that would often look to utilise set-pieces as a means of attacking opponents.
In this instance, Brady is essential to one of Burnley’s approaches to hurting any opposition. Only Cesc Fabrgeas (22) and Kevin De Bruyne (21) have made more key passes from set-piece situations than Brady (19) in the Premier League this season. With his wicked left foot, he is able to wreak havoc in penalty areas be it from corners or indirect free-kicks. He may only have two assists to his name, but it’s harsh to criticise Brady for his teammates’ profligacy given this figure can only rise if the Burnley players are on hand to tuck away the chances he creates.
Indeed, it’s part of the reason why Burnley have scored only 14 goals in 15 Premier League games this season, five fewer than any other team in the top half of the table. If the Burnley offensive was far more prolific, they’d be higher up the table considering three of their four top-flight defeats have been by a single goal. That being said, Dyche has the personnel capable of replicating the creative threat from set-pieces in Brady’s absence, with Johann Berg Gudmundsson an able deputy on free-kicks and corners.
Yet Brady isn’t just a set-piece specialist and nothing more. Only a handful of players have made more accurate crosses than the 25-year-old (11) in the Premier League this season, while his off the ball input is crucial and will be sorely missed. Burnley see little of the ball and they need every player to work tirelessly when out of possession to successfully soak up pressure and hit opponents on the counter-attack.
Brady is averaging more tackles per game (2.1) than any other Burnley player and his defensive discipline is another aspect to his game that will be sorely missed during his lengthy spell on the sidelines. In Scott Arfield, Dyche has a midfielder well versed in his demands, but the Canadian doesn’t offer the creative thrust Brady provides and Burnley could suffer as a result. A majority of the Clarets’ attacks come down their left flank (38%) and it could well be that this figure decreases as the season wears on as Burnley look to maximise another attacking outlet in the coming weeks and months.
Without Brady, though, Burnley could now struggle in every area of the pitch. Dyche’s side has started the season strongly and are already exceeding expectations having earned 25 points after 15 games this season and are just 15 points off matching last season’s total before we’ve even reached the halfway point of the campaign. There have been a number of determining factors why Burnley have impressed so far, with the injection of Premier League experience aiding the team, yet Brady’s defensive and offensive contribution has been essential. In his absence, Burnley could now begin to slide down the table after a bright opening few months to the campaign.
