Arfield feels flexibility is helping Clarets

Midfielder Scott Arfield says the Clarets are thriving on the flexibility of the squad and the competition for places that it ultimately creates.
Burnley's Scott Arfield

Photographer Mick Walker/CameraSport

The Premier League - Stoke City v Burnley - Saturday 3rd December 2016 - bet365 Stadium - Stoke

World Copyright © 2016 CameraSport. All rights reserved. 43 Linden Ave. Countesthorpe. Leicester. England. LE8 5PG - Tel: +44 (0) 116 277 4147 - admin@camerasport.com - www.camerasport.comBurnley's Scott Arfield

Photographer Mick Walker/CameraSport

The Premier League - Stoke City v Burnley - Saturday 3rd December 2016 - bet365 Stadium - Stoke

World Copyright © 2016 CameraSport. All rights reserved. 43 Linden Ave. Countesthorpe. Leicester. England. LE8 5PG - Tel: +44 (0) 116 277 4147 - admin@camerasport.com - www.camerasport.com
Burnley's Scott Arfield Photographer Mick Walker/CameraSport The Premier League - Stoke City v Burnley - Saturday 3rd December 2016 - bet365 Stadium - Stoke World Copyright © 2016 CameraSport. All rights reserved. 43 Linden Ave. Countesthorpe. Leicester. England. LE8 5PG - Tel: +44 (0) 116 277 4147 - [email protected] - www.camerasport.com

Boss Sean Dyche has tinkered with his system and the personnel within it on a number of occasions this season and that experimental streak, Arfield says, is keeping the players on their toes.

The Canada international was named on the bench for the game against Manchester City at Turf Moor last month, replacing the injured Dean Marney in the 40th minute.

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Having been recalled for the defeat against Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium, the 28-year-old said: “Two seasons ago, and even during the Championship season, we were 4-4-2 the whole time, so teams probably knew what we were going to play.

“This time, we’ve got different players for different positions. We’ve got two for every position, so we can play different formations.

“When we go away from home, we can sit tight. When we played at home to Liverpool, we caught them on the break and scored two goals, so only bodes well for us.”

Asked if the competition for places was fierce, he added: “I would say so. But you’ve even got that with the strikers. Andre (Gray) was on fire but finds himself out of the team now.

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“It’s how you deal with that and how you come back from not being in that team. You try and train and show the manager you’re worth that place in the team.

“It only bodes well for us and keeps us stronger that everybody’s on the same page, and ego goes aside to try to get the best for the club. That’s the three points on Saturday.”