Free-scoring Vokes hails Dyche impact

The 23-year-old was predominantly employed as a substitute last term, but the Welshman has benefited from a consistent run in the starting XI since the departure of last season’s leading scorer Charlie Austin.

And Vokes insists that the words expressed by Dyche, and the faith invested in him, have helped him grow the confidence to grab the mantel alongside strike partner Danny Ings.

“When we broke up, I had a meeting early in the summer and we just talked about things I needed to work on really,” he said. “I knew myself that I could play and get in the team and work hard. It’s important to keep the run going when you get in the team and score goals.

“Not playing last year and being involved off the bench was hard, because you want to be playing each week, but this year for the manager to put trust in me, to be playing and starting and playing a lot of games. It’s a big thing for my confidence.

“The manager puts that confidence in you to go out and play, it’s always a good thing when you step out on the pitch and you’ve got that confidence from the gaffer so like I say I think it’s paying off.”

Vokes, who fired his first domestic double in five years in the 3-0 win over Charlton Athletic, admits his nomadic years are now behind him as he begins to feel settled at Turf Moor. The striker struggled for games and goals when loaned out to six different clubs by Wolves, but he’s found his feet with six goals in nine Championship starts to date.

“I feel a lot more settled, it’s good for me a consistent amount of games, week in and week out keeping your fitness levels up and with that comes the goals. The hard work is paying off.

“It’s going well, to be honest I’m just going into every game looking to play well and score goals. I’m not really thinking about it too much, just looking forward to the next game.”

Vokes believes he’s also thriving on the form of strike partner Ings with the duo hitting 16 goals in all competitions. And he’s eager to add to that tally in the midweek clash with Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium.

“We’re both confident at the moment, scoring goals and playing games and working well together so like I say it’s paying off.

“The two of us are working well together so it would be good if we can keep this run going and continue scoring goals.