DYCHE: BORING? NO , WE PLAY EFFECTIVE, WINNING FOOTBALL
Boss hits back at Turkish coach’s jibe over Clarets’ style of play and insists: We’ll win it my way
SEAN DYCHE has shrugged off criticism of Burnley’s style, insisting his focus is on winning.
The Clarets host Istanbul Basaksehir tonight with the Turkish club’s coach criticising Burnley’s unadventurous approach in last week’s first leg, when they failed to have a shot on target and managed just 28 per cent possession.
But Dyche refused to hit back at Abdullah Avci, adding that his philosophy was based on playing the best way to win each game.
“I’ve no problem with that,” said the Burnley boss. “I’ve said many, many times the football we play is effective football.
“I like my team to win. That’s always my No.1 thought and if we can’t win, I want to get a draw, and if we can’t get a draw, I want us to perform in a manner where we are trying to win and if that goes wrong, then I get cross. Very simple.
“People have to be successful in football and my personal view is to play effective football.
“If that means making sure the ball goes on top of their centre-halves, then that’s what we will do.
“On the other hand, if we think we can play through a team, then that’s what we will look to do.” Dyche has no time for the argument possession football is the only way to play.
He cited Sir Alex Ferguson’s great Manchester United sides as proof the game should be about winning.
“Sir Alex’s teams could play any way,” he said. “They could hurt you with their football, from set-pieces, on the counter and with their individual brilliance. I never remember him coming out and saying, ‘We play the right way’. I can’t remember him saying he was reinventing football, ever.
“He said, ‘My team play to win’, that’s the message I remember. We are trying to evolve into a side which can hurt sides in many different ways.
“We have a balanced view. I have no problem with people’s opinions of us, I never have done. People can say whatever they like about us.”
Burnley are well positioned to reach the final qualifying round in their first European campaign in 51 years after grinding out a goalless draw in Istanbul, much to the chagrin of Avci.
Dyche is conscious they are writing another chapter in the club’s long and illustrious history. “It’s an ongoing thing here,” he said. “It goes beyond an individual’s thoughts on their career.
“If you can finish your career and you’ve historical markers from periods of your career then that implies you have had a successful career.
“That’s part of what we’re building here as a team mentality – to go and achieve historical markers, which we have done many times, and this is another opportunity to go and do that.”