Player Focus: Partnership Between Boyd & Trippier Vital to Burnley's Survival
Relationships in football are crucial for any team. The defensive partnership of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand provided the perfect platform for Manchester United’s success prior to Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, while back in 1999; Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole helped fire United to the treble. Teddy Sheringham and Alan Shearer, meanwhile - England's SAS - was perhaps one of the most formidable strike forces at Euro 96.
There is an emerging partnership at Turf Moor this season that will be central to Burnley’s chances of remaining in the Premier League. George Boyd and Kieran Trippier have been crucial in the Clarets’ attempts to consolidate a spot in England’s top tier and it was the duo who linked up excellently to provide for Danny Ings’ goal in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with West Brom. Boyd filled in at right-back as Trippier pushed forward. Dean Marney received the ball in the middle of the park and looked to pass to Trippier. Once the ball was played to the Clarets' right-back, Boyd took off. Trippier dummied and with Chris Brunt caught unawares, Boyd bounded down the right before delivering the perfect cross for Ings to put Burnley 2 goals to the good.
The move came 20 minutes after Boyd and Trippier had combined to pick out Marney, though he was unable to convert after being picked out by the former. The partnership between Boyd and Trippier is proving to be Burnley's go-to attacking outlet. 42% of the Clarets' attacks this season have come down the right side. In contrast, 29% have come down both the left and centre respectively. Unsurprisingly, Sean Dyche’s side have developed a statistically calculated WhoScored style of play of liking to 'attack down the right’.
With Trippier at right-back, this comes as little shock. The 24-year-old registered more assists (14) than any other player in the Championship last season, so Dyche is understandably keen to maximise his ability to deliver from wide areas. He may only have 2 league assists to his name this season, but that is not for want of trying - Trippier is averaging more key passes per game (1.4) than any other Burnley player this term. Boyd features not far behind his teammate, with an average of 1.1 key passes per game. Again, two assists is admittedly not a great return, but the duo compliment one another excellently on the right.
Boyd is happy to cover for Trippier when the latter presses forward. Burnley’s summer addition has gained a WhoScored strength of ‘defensive contribution’ and for good reason. Of all players to make at least 5 starts on either flank, no player is averaging more tackles per game than Boyd (3.8). "We didn’t buy him (Boyd) for that reason (his running). It’s a great benefit, but I bought him because I think he’s a very good player, which he’s absolutely proving to be, but it’s a massive bonus if you’ve got someone who is willing to run that hard and that consistently," Dyche said of Boyd last month.
His tireless work off the ball has won him plenty of plaudits and it’s evident his defensive work allows Trippier to break forward and provide another offensive threat for Burnley from deep. Only Stewart Downing (2.8), Victor Moses and Dusan Tadic (2) are averaging more accurate crosses per game than Trippier (1.9) in the Premier League this season. Boyd's defensive discipline is offering his full-back the license to overlap, knowing that he needn’t worry that opposition side’s will exploit the space he has left behind.
Commendable performances for the Clarets mean Boyd (7.14) and Trippier (7.08) rank among Burnley’s top 5 highest rated players in the Premier League this season. The performances of Ings have captured the attention of football fans and pundits alike, but the displays and improving partnership of Boyd and Trippier have certainly helped Dyche’s side in their quest to retain their place in England’s top tier.
A cruciate ligament injury to Marney could effectively end the partnership between Boyd and Trippier, for this season at least, however. The midfielder’s problem, sustained in the 2-2 draw with West Brom, will see him miss the remainder of the campaign. Michael Kightly was introduced at the interval for Marney, which saw Scott Arfield move into the centre alongside David Jones, Boyd swap to the left wing and Kightly play on the right. Dyche may be tempted to deploy a similar midfield set up for the remainder of the campaign but while Boyd is a capable performer on the left, it may not be wise to disrupt what has become an effective partnership on the right side.
Burnley face 8 of the Premier League’s current top-9 between now and mid-April, so achieving their seasonal aim of top-flight safety is set to become increasingly difficult in the coming weeks. The onus will be on Ings and Ashley Barnes to score the goals for the Clarets, but it’s the partnership of Boyd and Trippier that would likely improve Burnley’s chances of staving off relegation.
What do you make of the partnership between George Boyd and Kieran Trippier in the Premier League this season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
