DYCHE ISSUES CASH CONCERN
IF BURNLEY fans thought this season was tough manager Sean Dyche has a warning for them – the next one will be even harder.
Second-half goals from substitute Junior Stanislas and Martin Paterson earned Burnley the three points against Ipswich and a top-half finish with it.
Burnley won seven points from their final nine available to climb to 11th but with the gulf between football’s rich and poor growing ever larger Dyche fears clubs like Burnley are always swimming against the tide.
And with the future of sought-after striker Charlie Austin uncertain, the manager admits the Clarets will require patience in the transfer market as they bid to do it all again next term.
“Next season will be even tougher, the teams coming down will be even more cash rich and our neighbours will all be cash rich,” he said.
“But like Burnley do historically, we’ll punch above our weight and come together as a community and a team – that one-club mentality is vital.
“We’re not in a position where we can just throw money around and get anyone we want.
“The alignment of availability meeting the financial model of the club, meeting the player wanting to come here is important to us.
“Questions about incoming money from transfers and reinvestment are for the board – but Charlie Austin hasn’t gone anywhere yet.
“There have been a lot of questions asked over the last few months and I’ve said I’ll answer them the best I can.
“The answer is 11th in the league in arguably the toughest ever Championship, certainly in my lifetime – that’s an achievement in itself.”
Danny Ings almost woke the crowd from their slumber in the 24th minute, turning neatly in midfield but firing over from 25 yards.
And Burnley had captain Jason Shackell to thank for a fine tackle to deny Daryl Murphy a clear chance in the box minutes later.
Murphy tested Lee Grant for the first time in the 57th minute but his header was straight at the keeper.
And Burnley countered with Paterson trying his luck from 20 yards but Scott Loach saved comfortably.
Substitute Stanislas sent the home crowd into raptures on the hour though, unleashing a fierce 25-yard drive into the top left corner.
The goal brought Burnley to life and moments later Loach was forced to palm away Paterson’s cross before saving Ings’ header.
Shots were flying in from long range and substitute Jack Marriott forced Grant to save on his Ipswich debut with ten minutes to play.
But Paterson put the gloss on Burnley’s win, flicking Vokes’ header past Loach from close range with two minutes remaining.
Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy handed debuts to two youth graduates and claimed his side found it difficult to motivate themselves after achieving Championship safety.
“I’m not really bothered about the game, our fans will understand the team I played,” he said.
“It gave me the opportunity to have a look at one or two and I’m glad nothing was resting on it – we were worthy of a draw but it didn’t happen.
“I feel for all the good people I know that work at Wolves, from the cleaners to the cooks, ground staff and coaching staff.
“But I am the manager of Ipswich, I am loving my job, I love what I do.”