Burnley out to end goal drought

Back in October, Burnley ended a 565-minute club record goal drought to draw 2-2 at Leicester City.
Michael Kightly celebrates scoring Burnleys first equaliser at Leicester in October to end a record run of 565 minutes without a goalMichael Kightly celebrates scoring Burnleys first equaliser at Leicester in October to end a record run of 565 minutes without a goal
Michael Kightly celebrates scoring Burnleys first equaliser at Leicester in October to end a record run of 565 minutes without a goal

And ahead of tomorrow’s critical return, Sean Dyche is confident his side can put a halt to a run of 389 minutes without finding the net, to boost their survival hopes.

The Foxes come to Turf Moor on the back of three wins on the spin, which has elevated them to 18th in the table, two points clear of the Clarets.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Dyche feels the side are carving out enough openings – they just have to be more clinical: “I think most teams, particularly from 10 down, have had spells where they are not scoring as freely.

George Boyd scored Burnley's last goal against Manchester CityGeorge Boyd scored Burnley's last goal against Manchester City
George Boyd scored Burnley's last goal against Manchester City

“We had a spell where we were scoring two a game, and Leicester had a spell when they were not scoring earlier in the season, but are scoring again now.

“But it’s a tough league. The main thing for us is to continue making chances – that is the first marker. Then you have got to take them.”

He is determined to pick up points tomorrow, but it isn’t a case of ‘all or nothing’: “It’s the same for any game, but particularly against teams in and around you, you want to win.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s an important game, as they all have been, and obviously we want the points.

“Performances have generally been good, we just have to keep creating chances and take more of them.”

Leicester have gone from having almost nothing to lose, to having something to build on, and Dyche ponders how that will affect their thinking: “You never can tell how a team’s mentality might change, but one thing is for sure, when you speak to people in football, a lot of them, from the outside looking in, have been surprised at where they have been.

“They have invested heavily in building a team and added to that in the summer and January.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“They have hit a bit of form, which suggests it has come together a bit.

“So their psychology will be interesting – people expect them to come out of it now, and sometimes that can play with a team and how it operates.

“Our focus is on us though.”

And he remains happy with performances: “I like the endeavour of the team, the mentality is as strong as ever, and we are still looking free to go and play and affect games.

“It’s important we make sure the balance is right between still being focused and relaxed.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And, after coming out on the wrong end of some refereeing decisions of late, he added: “We would certainly hope for the decisions to be a bit more balanced.

“I don’t want to cry it in, but there’s been four big penalty claims I can think of, and it’s incredible we’ve not had one of them given.

“But we have five big games to go, and hopefully it will balance out.”

Ashley Barnes is suspended tomorrow after 23 successive Premier League starts – following his dismissal at Everton, but for Dychem it is an opportunity for someone else: “The squad are all hungry to play, and when they get the chance, it is about taking it.

“It’s happened many times particularly in the last 18 months, where people have come in and made an impact.”