MY TURF GUYS ARE READY TO GO EXTRA MILE
Clarets boss Dyche: Results so hard to come by but our fitness regime can keep us out of the drop zone
SEAN DYCHE is banking on Burnley’s marathon men proving they can go the distance again and keep the Clarets up.
Burnley, who travel to Aston Villa tonight, are a point above the relegation zone after just two wins from their opening 11 games.
A 1- 0 win at Arsenal nudged them clear of the drop zone, with Dyche convinced his squad’s record of improved fitness and physicality in the second half of the season will ensure their safety.
“Statistically, we’ve seen the benefits of the fitness work and the regimes we’ve put in place – the prep work, if you like – in the second half of the season,” said Dyche.
“I look at it as wanting to optimise your physical performance, because results are not easy to come by.
“But, over a season, if you can maximise your physical potential , it increases your chances of getting results.
“Those results might be indifferent at times, but, from a physical standpoint, I know how strong we are.”
Burnley, already with one of the smallest squads in the Premier League, have been hit by a glut of injuries, with Jack Cork and Johann Gudmundsson still out.
But with players returning from enforced lay- offs, Dyche remains optimistic.
“We can only hope that it’s improbable the injuries carry on and that would be a good start,” he said.
“I’ve always said that when everyone is fit, regardless of not signing loads of players, we still believe in the squad and how it can compete.
“We got promoted the first full season I was here and we had only 17 recognised first- team players and only two centre- forwards until January, so it can be done.
“But the demands are higher than six or seven years ago. The physical demands are higher.
“We’ve been unfortunate with the amount of injuries and I would hope and suggest that’s unlikely to continue all season, but you never know and we have to be ready if it does.”
Asked if it was essential to bolster their squad in next month’s transfer window, Dyche said: “Yes.
Is it vital? Not always.
“I believe in these players, individually and collectively, and I think that’s a powerful thing going into the second half of the season, regardless of whether or not we get players in.” BURNLEY: Pope, Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor, McNeil, Brady, Brownhill, Westwood, Rodriguez, Wood
ASTON VILLA:
Martinez, Elmohamady, Konsa,
Mings,
Targett,
Ramsey,
Barkley, McGinn,
El Ghazi, Grealish, Watkins
We’ve seen the benefits of the fitness work later in the season