Three Points From Newcastle – Dyche

Manager Sean Dyche has said he’s ignoring the distractions as we go into tonight’s clash with Newcastle United in front of the television cameras.

Hosting Rafa Benitez’s side at Turf Moor for the tie, ongoing speculation linking him with the Everton job continues to fill the papers, but Dyche is more focused on celebrating five years in charge and capping it with a win.

Speaking to the Official Site as he met with the media pre game, Dyche explained that we could possibly welcome Sam Vokes back for the game after a muscle strain kept him out of the Manchester City tie last weekend.

That would of course be timely as top scorer Chris Woods is a doubt with a hamstring issue of his own.

‘Vokesy has a stronger chance. He`s out on the grass with us today, so we think he will be available. But Woody`s touch-and-go.’

With 173 games and 51 goals, the Welsh international has made more league appearances and scored more goals than anyone else at the club under Dyche (his maiden strike under Dyche coming back in November 2012 against Ipswich Town), so his involvement would be fitting.

Dyche becomes the seventh longest serving manager in the top four divisions.

‘I am surprised in the modern world of football. There are so many differentials now at how it can change and how quickly it can change, that you never know what`s around the corner. But the kind of building process that`s been done on and off the pitch here is good for everyone, I think, and for the game.’

Dyche added.

‘I don`t think everyone wants managers to be changing every week, I certainly don`t. There`s a view of that in the bigger picture, but the immediate view is all credit to the different people involved in the five years I`ve had here. That`s the players who have come and gone, my staff who have more or less been here as a collective all the way through, the board and the fans for allowing the chance for ups and down to be seen through and to continue the building process and continue performing.’

Reflecting on our home form this season, compared to last season’s home form, Dyche was confident it would change as he was content knowing we have only lost once.

‘It`s not really not become a fortress. People are implying a different kind of situation. It doesn`t worry me, because we have only been beaten once. And if that continues, I will be pretty happy. We were so strong at home last year and we`re not miles off that this year, the way we`ve been performing.’

He added.

‘Maybe teams are treating us differently don`t forget. They are maybe coming with a different game plan than what they were last season. That`s to be considered, as well, which we do look at that. But we`re not miles away from our home form being strong as well, so I`ve been very pleased overall.’