Pressure’s all on Cats, says Dyche

Burnley boss Sean Dyche believes his side’s dismal away form will pile all the pressure on rock-bottom Sunderland in today’s vital Premier League clash at the Stadium of Light.

The Clarets have picked up just two of their 31 points on their travels this season, and lost 2-1 at Liverpool despite an impressive display last weekend.

Dyche said: “There will be a bigger expectation at their place because their fans will see it as ‘you’ve got to beat them’ – it’s not mind games, I’m just trying to see how fans think.

“A couple of Liverpool fans told me it was very rare to see a Liverpool side trying to kill the game last week, so I think that’s a back-handed mark of respect for us, considering we haven’t won away.

“The energy was good and some of the quality, so, although we haven’t won away, there are strong signs of what we can do – but we have to add to that because factually we still haven’t won a game.”

Dyche is eager to break the away-day duck before the end of the season but knows it will pale into insignificance compared to the mighty achievement of securing his side’s topflight status with some games to spare.

Barring a colossal collapse, the Clarets ought to coast to survival.

Meanwhile, today’s game will bring in-form Clarets striker Andre Gray up against the man who arguably cost him his first England call-up this week, Jermain Defoe.

Dyche had no complaints about the decision, admitting: “Jermain Defoe is a fine player – he still looks sharp and he’s still scoring goals. The game’s changing anyway – players are looking after themselves for longer, they’re staying fitter and there are more support systems.

“(Gray) is still learning and adjusting in the Premier League. I think he’ll improve from what we do here and he’ll improve from being in the Premier League, so hopefully, if he continues to do that, his day will come.”