Many eagle-eyed viewers will have noticed Burnley have adopted a bizarre new kick-off routine in recent encounters.
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For the last two games, Burnley have punted the ball straight out of play from kick-off.
They’re not the only Premier League side to deploy such unusual tactics from kick-off, with Everton’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall recently hoofing the ball high up into the air during Burnley’s 2-0 defeat at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
When asked to explain the thinking behind the strange approach, Burnley boss Scott Parker said: “Just to try and lock them in, really. Territory and try and lock them in.
"You can go up into man vs man at that point. You can try and gain some territory and stay in their final third for a little bit.
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James Ward-Prowse launched the kick-off straight out of play against Fulham last weekend. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttardplaceholder image
James Ward-Prowse launched the kick-off straight out of play against Fulham last weekend. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttard
“Rather than go back to the keeper, bring the ball straight down the middle of them. You might get countered.
"During the early part of the game you just want to earn a right and set a precedent, really and that's the aim.”
When asked if it was also a case of earning a minor advantage, Parker added: “It's not trying anything.
"If you were to ask any team or any player where is the worst part of the pitch to have a throw-in, it would be in your defensive third.
“At that moment, the likelihood is you're going to have to make it a 50-50. You're going to have to work the line.
"You can set up, you can engage, you can mark. So at such an early point in the game, you want to try and set that precedent or at least set that mark and that was the aim.”
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