Dyche hails never-say-die spirit

The Clarets looked set for a first defeat in nine outings when they trailed 2-0 in the Welsh capital with just five minutes remaining.

But a first goal for the club from German striker Rouwen Hennings, and an injury time Matthew Connolly own goal kept Burnley’s unbeaten run going.

Dyche’s men stay fifth in the Championship, four points behind leaders Brighton, and Dyche said: “The belief is good here, the mentality of the players is exceptional.

“I always speak to them about playing every minute of the game, we’ve all seen games change quickly, and it did again.

“We always thought, even at 2-0, we get the first and they’ll be rattled.

“And they were, the whole stadium was.

“It was just whether we would get that one more chance, and the two subs, which I was really pleased with as its a squad game – Deano (Marney) found a nice little stand up and we got a scratch of luck, it was going wide, it hits him and goes in.

“I thought we’d earned the right by that stage after all that had gone against us.”

He added: “It’s my job to think it’s not the end of the game, I’m pleased to say my players don’t, and that was obvious by the way they went about it.

“The thirst of the team to be back in the game was evident, trying different ways, to play, pass – and credit to Cardiff, they kept a lot of our attacks down, particularly second half, not so much first half when we had the two golden chances.

“They had set pieces and things like that, but to come through that and show the belief and moment of quality, certainly for the first goal, and a scratch of luck for the second, it’s a great mentality.

“We’ve shown it many times before and I’m sure we will again.

“You have to find different ways of getting points, getting wins, and we’ve done it again.

“It can’t be a fluke because we’ve done it many times in the past and we’re still doing it. The culture and environment we set for the players, and the way they take ownership of it and run with it, it was evident.”

Burnley have more goals from substitutes – five – than any team in the division, and both Hennings and Marney made key contributions after coming on: “It’s not an exact science, but we process it with the group, as a staff, what is important for the game, what it needs, and it’s nice when it works.

“I’m pleased for Deano, we wanted a bit of energy, we tried to get him and Scotty (Arfield) more advanced, up with Andre (Gray). It worked for a spell, then we decided to try Rouwen, because we know what he’s got.

“He’s still adapting and still learning, but we know he’s a good finisher, and I was really pleased for him because he’s shown no disappointment in being left out, come on, looked fresh, gets turned, whacks one in the corner, and we’re back in the game.

“Great mentality from the squad, and even those not involved. There’s some high quality professional people here, and I enjoy it and admire it.”