Dyche's delight at comprehensive win

Andre Gray scored his first Football League hat-trick, with Scott Arfield adding his fourth of the season, as former boss Steve Cotterill's side were put to the sword at Turf Moor.

And Dyche said: "It's a tough division, we know that, but the fact is we've come a long way this year, and to finish on that performance and that result is a good marker for a club like this in the bigger picture, and in the immediate picture, that's six points from three games, two points a game, which is all you can ask for.

"We've responded with a fine performance, that was as comprehensive a victory as we've had, generally speaking."

Dyche was delighted with Gray, who now has 15 goals for the season, and he underlined a number of other contributions: "Andre was fantastic, he gave a real reaction, I thought he was below par at Hull and he knew that, and we had a chat about it.

"We want him to play with freedom and do what he did, and Sam Vokes was absolutely outstanding.

"He did all the stuff maybe supporters don't notice, he was terrific, in a very good team performance with some good markers.

"Even after half-time you expect a reaction, all it was really were long balls coming forward, and I thought we dealt with that very well.

"We secured our line, weathered the 15 minutes or so that often happens when teams go back to front quickly, and then we secured it with a fine breakaway goal, and after that we were totally in control."

George Boyd, Dean Marney and Michael Duff sat out the game, as Dyche explained: "Boydy has been carrying a back injury for a few weeks, not to a point of stopping him, but it did today, Deano, coming back after such a long injury, with a tight calf, and Duffo likewise, just maintenance for him to keep on top of himself.

"But all you can ask for is the squad to be ready and right, and I think a few have certainly laid down a marker.

"I take great pride in the way the players work, because when you're not in the side, it's tough, and you have to keep your fitness levels high and be willing to come in and work for the team, and everyone who came in was excellent."

Dyche also praised the fans' patience: "Our fans were terrific, calm, they understand the bigger picture, they realised even now we're not market leaders, we've got a bit more money and are trying to use it, but they know there are bigger fish out there.

"The fans know they have a thirst and want to do well, and can see it with their own eyes, and they let the players play. Fantastic positivity, and I take massive pride in that.

"It wasn't always like that when I got here, but they've got great belief in what we are trying to do, and that's not always prevalent in football."