BURNLEY playing in Europe last season was something to savour for their fans, but Ben Mee admits not having that to worry about will benefit the team.

The Clarets were knocked out of the Europa League play-off round by Olympiakos in August last year.

Sunday’s Premier League opponents, Wolves, are now in the same position as Burnley were in as they try to reach the group stages after finishing seventh last term.

“We enjoyed Europe, it was fantastic,” said Mee.

“But having that structure and a bit of familiarity and routine, I guess has helped us this year.

“Being able, staff wise, for them to be able organise it in a familiar way leading up to the first game was good.

“The gaffer worked us hard and I think we’ll be able to build it up a bit better than what happened last year because competitive games came early and fast.”

The squad at Burnley have been together in the Premier League for a number of years and Mee thinks this is only beneficial.

“We’ve had a few years in the Premier League together and I think the players are looking sharp and you can see the intensity in their eyes,” he said.

“The quality is there. We are getting better as a group which is fantastic and using our experience that we’ve had in the Premier League well.”

Mee now wants his team mates to show everyone what they can do this season.

“It’s only a couple of games in but we’re determined to show everyone what we can do and how much we do deserve to be in this league,” he added.

“We want to better last year and be more consistent in our season and if we have the same sort of year as we did in the six months from January then we will have a good season.

“We came back really well, and everyone has looked really sharp and really on it and focused.

“You look into the lads’ eyes and you can see that sort of intense look that you know you’re working hard in training, in games and the feeling’s there.

“It might have been missing at the beginning of last season with the Europa League.

“The focus is completely on the league now and you can see that in everyone’s eyes.”

Erik Pieters was one of the players added to the Burnley squad by Sean Dyche in the summer transfer window. The former Stoke City left-back has started both Premier League games ahead of Charlie Taylor - registering two assists in the win over Southampton.

“He’s fitted in really well. He came in early pre-season, as we were going away to Portugal for the week,” the skipper said.

“He’s come in, an experienced player and knows a lot about the game.”