Mike Jackson admits there will be plenty of pressure on Burnley to secure another instant promotion from the Championship.
The Clarets are heading back to the second tier after a dismal Premier League campaign, where they won just four times to finish 19th. Amassing a measly 22 points, it was a club record low in the three points for a win era.
But the recent story in the Championship has been completely different. Burnley have recorded back to back automatic promotions with 101 and 100 points respectively. The club has won promotion in their last four seasons at this level, while they’ve also lost just five of their last 115 games in the second tier.
‘It’s going to be a big job’
That brings expectation and pressure. But success at this level shouldn’t be taken for granted according to Jackson, who is well aware of the hard work required to get back to the top flight.
“There will be expectation because we’ve bounced back twice on the spin, so there will be that expectation,” Burnley’s interim boss said.
“It takes a lot. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done off the pitch, on the pitch, to be able to achieve that. That’s a lot of work, but you’ve got to be fully committed to that.
“That’s what we’ve got to do as a club now, really hone in on how we can get straight back up. But it’s going to be a big job. It always is.
“It was when Vinny [Vincent Kompany] was here, it was when Scott [Parker] was here. It’s no different.
“It’s exactly the same, the work that you have to put in. You have to go the extra mile to make sure you get promoted.”
The bottom line
Four promotions in four Championship seasons. Five losses in 115 second tier games. Back to back 100 point hauls.
The numbers are staggering. The expectation is enormous. The pressure is real.
Jackson knows what’s coming. He’s been here before. Twice.
But he also knows that past success guarantees nothing. The work has to be done all over again.
Burnley are the Championship’s great escape artists. They keep bouncing back. They keep winning.
But this time? The margins are tighter. The pressure is higher. And everyone will be gunning for them.
Jackson is ready. But is the club? The summer will tell.
