NO JOSHING
Brownhill: We’re up for this fight... I owe it to Dyche
JOSH BROWNHILL will forever be grateful to Sean Dyche for giving him the chance to shine in the Premier League.
But now the focused midfielder only has one thing on his mind – avoiding relegation.
And after providing both assists in a fine 2-0 home win over Southampton on Thursday night, the former Manchester United young gun has no illusions about the key role he can play in the Clarets survival bid.
Dyche was sacked a week ago with Burnley 18th in the table and Brownhill,
26, said: “For Sean to bring me to the club and make me a Premier League player, I’m really thankful.
“I spoke to him on the phone after he was sacked, and it was emotional. It’s not nice when somebody has to leave.
“He brought me in from the Championship and gave me that trust. It was one thing bringing me in, but another playing me.
“Sean trusted me in some big games – playing me away at some big teams, some big grounds and in some big pressure games.
“I think a lot of the other lads have spoken to him too. He’s been here so long. He was here for 10 years and what he did for the place in general has been huge.
“No one tries to hide away from what he’s done for the club. In my career it’s the first time I’ve experienced a sacking, so it was a bit of a strange feeling knowing he wasn’t going to come back. I’m used to the same people being there.
“When I was at Preston, Simon Grayson was there, and on loan at Barnsley it was Lee Johnson.
“Lee actually left to go to Bristol City, but he wasn’t sacked. I followed Lee to Bristol and he was there for the whole time with me.
“But sackings are part of football and it happens up and down the country a good few times a year.
“Unfortunately for Sean it was his time, but I’m certain he’ll get a good job when he wants one.”
Victory over the Saints – to back up a massive
3-2 win against fellow relegation strugglers Everton before Dyche (left) departed after nearly a decade at Turf Moor – has understandably boosted spirits.
But with six games remaining, including today’s visit of Wolves, Brownhill knows the fight must go on – probably to the wire.
He admitted: “This season has been very disheartening. If you look at the majority of our games, we’ve performed very well.
“We just haven’t been on the right side of the result. Over the season, if you don’t do that you can end up where we are and be frustrated, and wish other things were different.”
Caretaker boss Mike Jackson, academy director Paul Jenkins and club captain Ben Mee have been put in charge for the remainder of the season. But Brownhill would love a big-name manager in the building to try to guide the club to greater heights.
“I wouldn’t say no to Pep Guardiola or Jurgen
Klopp if they wanted to come in,” he joked.
“I’d take that! But at the end of the day it’s what’s right for the club and what they think higher up.
“If they stick with who’s here now because they are doing well, then it is what it is. They’ve got the results and got the boys fighting.”
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