Dyche is the best I've worked with - Barton

The 33-year-old has fitted hand in glove, to quote one of his favourite bands The Smiths, into how Dyche wants his players to operate.

Yet to lose a game he has started for the Clarets, the one-time England cap has become a key component of a side making a strong challenge for an immediate return to the Premier League.

And Barton, who has played under has played under Kevin Keegan, Stuart Pearce, Sam Allardyce, Alan Shearer, Alan Pardew, Chris Hughton, Neil Warnock, Mark Hughes, Harry Redknapp and Chris Ramsey, admitted: "I think it's there for all to see.

"I'd honestly have to say he's probably the best I've worked for.

"I really believe that his attention to detail, the man-management - it's kind of an old term in football now but just the way he goes about it, he has a clear vision of how he wants the players within the team to operate and also how the team is to operate then.

"The guidelines are there for all of us. If you want to be successful club then there's a clear path and a clear route how you're going to do that; it's communicated well, the quality control on a daily basis is there.

"It's a really positive environment.

"I say this as someone who's had experiences to the contrary.

"It's not a place where you're worrying about anything other than getting better at football and turning in football performances, which is not always the way in this industry.

"It's been a breath of fresh air.

"I actually get out of the car every morning delighted to be here. I feel incredibly humbled and privileged to be a part of it.

"For me I've played a small part so far. I think I've got a huge contribution and hopefully I can start to showcase what I'm about as an individual within this really solid team."

Barton looks to extend his unbeaten record when starting for Burnley against the only unbeaten side left in the Championship on Sunday, when Brighton visit Turf Moor: “Brighton are on a great run. I know Chrissy (Hughton) really well and a few of the players down there, former team-mates, so it’s what to be expected.

“I think everyone probably would have been shocked that somebody’s been able to go on such a long unbeaten run in this league, just owing to the nature of this competition and how dog eat dog it is from time to time, but great credit to Brighton. I think they’ve surprised a few people this season. But probably for both teams it is another game and we’ll be keen on keeping our recent record going as I’m sure they will be.”

He added: "We've got our feet on the ground, we know Sunday will be a tough task and Cardiff the week after that, Preston the week after, QPR. It's relentless this league and I think that's just how we like it.

"We've got a strong belief in what we're about. We don't really care where it is or who we play, we believe in what we do and it will take a good team to stop us. That's our belief. Our focus is on us and what we're about and while we're incredibly respectful of the opposition it's two teams that have got good records going against each other. If we win the game it won't be the end of their season and equally if they win the game it won't be the end of our season.

"We're looking forward to Sunday. Everyone's in a good position and hopefully we put a good encounter on for the watching public.”