Sean Dyche insists he still has the energy to take Burnley forward should they be relegated from the Premier League this week, stating the club’s infrastructure and set-up has significantly improved in recent times to leave them in a healthy position for the future.
His side were narrowly beaten by West Ham after a first-half penalty from Mark Noble that came in controversial circumstances. The referee, Jon Moss – who will officiate the FA Cup final at the end of the month – correctly penalised Michael Duff for a foul on Cheikhou Kouyaté inside the penalty area but then sent off the defender despite the presence of covering players.
It was a surprise decision and one that cost Dyche’s side dear. They now trail Leicester City by eight points with nine left to play for this season and will be relegated at Hull on Saturday if they fail to win at the KC Stadium, with Danny Ings’ fine scoring touch from earlier in the campaign deserting him at Upton Park.
However, if the Clarets do slip back into the Championship Dyche believes they will be well equipped to bounce back, citing improvements at a club that was also relegated from the top flight in 2010. “There is a better model in place,” said Dyche. “There is a new training ground on its way, better pitches, the ground has improved for the fans. So the overall model has improved. But I must make clear that it doesn’t take away the disappointment of where we are. Don’t think that I or the players are thinking we will just crack on. Some of the good, bigger picture stuff, I still want more, we want to be in the Premier League.
“I have no lack of energy – I am 43. I have two kids, 10 and 12, and that is enough to keep your energy levels high. I have more desire than you can imagine.
“Two and a half years ago the club was coming out of Premier League money and all it brings. It brings some challenges. They wanted to learn about that and wanted a different way. I have made them aware this is a really tough challenge and to spend so little money and have such a low wage bill. But I must say I still believe in what we can achieve, so I took the challenge on knowing it would be tough. It has proved to be tough.”
Asked what Burnley could have done differently this term, he added: “Got the chequebook out.”
A summer of speculation lies ahead for Ings, the coveted striker who should have scored a header in the first half with the game goalless and who had another opportunity later in the match that he screwed into the side netting.
For West Ham, though, there is the satisfaction of climbing to ninth in the table, with a top-half finish now appearing likely. Sam Allardyce will return to his former club Newcastle on the last day of the campaign and was questioned about the pressure on John Carver following their defeat to Leicester.
“If Newcastle get one win they are safe,” said Allardyce. “If they did that before we play them only time will tell. Obviously it is not good for John when his players not only lose but get two players sent off.
“I think that John has never sat in the position that he is sat in, and as a caretaker as well. That is a hugely difficult position and difficult job as you cannot give your players the discipline that they need, as they might look at you and say ‘well, you are probably not going to be here next season’. That is very difficult to be demanding from players sometimes when they are playing and looking at you and saying that ‘you are a caretaker manager’. That is a dangerous thing for a football club.”
Man of the match Tom Heaton (Burnley)
