Fans Thanked For Vital Point Against Manchester City

Manager Sean Dyche has said the Burnley fans deserved to be thanked for their support as the side battled to a hard fought point against Champions elect Manchester City at the weekend.

With Pep Guardiola’s side running away with the Premier League title as they remain comfortably clear in first place in the table this season, few gave Burnley a shot of taking something from the game but a resolute and determined performance saw the side take a point from Turf Moor on Saturday.

Speaking to the Official Site as he met with the media for his post game press interviews, a clearly delighted Dyche explained.

‘I`ll start with the fans because I thought they were fantastic today. They know some of the challenges in front of us and that they`ve got a team that will give everything, even on this tough run. City are the top side in the division, but the energy the supporters brought today was absolutely fantastic and that`s something that`s changed over a number of years here. Their confidence allows the players to play and on top of that, the players delivered.’

With two three nil defeats to City in the last two matches played, Dyche went on to confirm that he knew we had to ‘change something’ having learned from those previous games and for him that was reverting to 442 and bringing back Sam Vokes and although that didn’t quite work first half, he felt we grew into the game and used the system better to ultimately take something for our rewards.

He did however feel the second half changed in a matter of moments.

‘After weathering a very good start from them, you could sense us growing into the game. Their keeper makes an unbelievable save from Aaron and they went down the other end and missed an unbelievable chance and the energy went even higher in the crowd. It all changed in that couple of minutes. Suddenly the energy in the crowd grew. We started to find our feet and it`s hard for them to constantly have the game in their favour over 90 minutes. We made sure they didn`t and ended up scoring a fantastic goal.’

Dyche did however confirm that Phil Bardsley was substituted at the half time break with a hamstring injury to add to our walking wounded list, but again he couldn’t fault the attitude of the players as they pull their socks up and take their opportunities when they come along.

‘The big thing for me is the squad mentality. We are suffering a bit at the moment and there`s that old adage that if you kick one Burnley bloke, the whole town limps. There`s a feeling of that, because in our group, everyone is looking at each other and saying` let`s get on with it!` Nobody gives you a chance in those games other than ourselves and the fans. I`ve marvelled at that mentality for a couple of years now.’