The 2010âÂÂ11 season was Burnley's 1st season back in the second tier of English football following their relegation from the Premier League. They were managed by Brian Laws in his first full season in charge since replacing Owen Coyle. Burnley finished 8th with 68 points, 7 points outside the playoffs with a goal difference of +4.
Burnley started the season well, with three wins from their opening five games, including a notable home win over local rivals Preston North End. The Clarets were 3âÂÂ1 down with just six minutes to go before staging a late comeback to win 4âÂÂ3.
However, Burnley slid down the table, mainly due to poor away form which left them without an away win until Boxing Day. Their unbeaten home record was lost to Leeds United in early December, when the Clarets surrendered a 2âÂÂ0 half-time lead to ultimately lose 3âÂÂ2. The defeat left Burnley in 9th place and four points outside the play-offs, and manager Brian Laws ultimately lost his job following a 2âÂÂ0 defeat at home to Scunthorpe United.
The appointment of Eddie Howe saw the team regain form and rise to 7th place following a six-game unbeaten run (including another late victory over Preston North End in the reverse fixture). However, a run of five defeats from the next six games ultimately consigned Burnley to another year of second-tier football, finding themselves seven points away from the playoff places with six games remaining.
Three further victories saw the Clarets finish the season in 8th, a disappointing return for a recently relegated side who had aspirations of an immediate return to the Premier League.