Burnley’s Irish contingent made a newcomer feel right at home

We're not surprised.

Burnley are doing great things in the Premier League this season. The Clarets are currently seventh in the table, level on points with Tottenham Hotspur, one behind Arsenal and just two off fourth-placed Liverpool. With almost half of the season gone, that's mightily impressive. Sean Dyche has attracted widespread praise for instilling a wonderful collective spirit in the Burnley dressing room, with the team's togetherness said to be a major driving force in their success. It is always easier when everyone is on the same wavelength to be fair. The Lancashire-based club boasts a very strong Irish contingent, with Robbie Brady, Jeff Hendrick, Jonathan Walters, Stephen Ward and Kevin Long all playing their football at Turf Moor. And it turns out those lads are a major factor in maintaining a harmonious dressing room, always encouraging their teammates to do things together and generally adding to the good feeling at the club. Belgian journalist Kristof Terreur appeared on Monday's edition of The Totally Football Show, during which he spoke of how the Irishmen have helped Steven Defour settle in and enjoy life at Burnley after a difficult first season in England last year.

"Defour really likes playing at Burnley now. Last year, he needed time to adapt and was in and out of the team but he really likes it now. A few weeks ago, he told this was the best dressing he's ever been in. The atmosphere is brilliant, mostly due to the Irish guys who have a really close connection. The Irish guys like do a lot of things with the lads and now Defour really likes it there."

It's great to hear that the quintet of Martin O'Neill's squad at Burnley play a big part in bringing everyone together at the club. It's certainly paying off for them, with Dyche's side comfortably exceeding expectations up to this point.