Wales manager Craig Bellamy has made a bold claim about Burnley's 2022/23 Championship-winning team, claiming 'nobody did it like they did.'
Bellamy, who had a sparkling career with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle United, coached under Vincent Kompany at Turf Moor and the Clarets won the 2022/23 Championship with 101 points.
Newcastle United and Leicester City have also topped the tonne mark, but Reading's 2006 side still remains the record-breaking Royals with 106 points.
Ironically, it was a 0-0 draw between Reading and Burnley which prevented the record from behind broken that season, with Leicester City coming close last season.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Bellamy commented: "We murdered the league, and it was that. It hadn't been done before.
"Someone else might have got five-odd points more [over a season] but, trust me, you didn't do what we did. Nobody did. We only lost three games all season and one of them was when we were already promoted. It was the manner in which we did it.
"From November onwards, nobody saw the ball, everywhere we went. Home or away, it was an annihilation. If teams got a 0-0 draw, they were applauding and doing a lap of honour. It was that good. It was just like 'wow'. We were so good without the ball, the intensity… and, with it, we were able to find different solutions, able to adapt."
In the longer quote he says: "From November onwards, nobody saw the ball, everywhere we went. Home or away, it was an annihilation."
— The Tilehurst End (@TheTilehurstEnd) November 18, 2024
From November onwards, 22/23 Burnley dropped more points than 05/06 #ReadingFC did in that same period.
Reading finished 05/06 having scored more… https://t.co/THmwqmb7ei
Reading supporters have been quick to point out that Steve Coppell's much-loved side won more matches, lost fewer matches, scored more goals and had confirmed promotion in advance than Burnley were.
Only surviving for one season, Burnley are now back in the second tier under former England midfielder Scott Parker.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here