More to come from us - Sean Dyche

Despite exiting the FA Cup on Saturday at runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City, Dyche – who made four changes to an already depleted line-up – felt his players gave a fine account of themselves at the Etihad Stadium.

He brought Kevin Long, Ashley Westwood, Matt Lowton and Sam Vokes back into the side, and he was particularly impressed with Westwood, whose last start came in the Carabao Cup defeat on penalties to Leeds United in September.

Steven Defour and Jack Cork have started every Premier League game, meaning Westwood has been restricted to 10 appearances, seven as substitute this term.

And Dyche said: “Fantastic mentality, he’s a top class professional, which is why we signed him.

“He’s been unfortunate because the form of Defour and Cork has been very good, Hendrick working in front of them, so I think Westy is a little bit unfortunate, not because of his own performances or professionalism, but because they’ve played really well.

“He gave a good account again.”

Ashley Barnes was deployed as a left-sided forward, putting the Clarets ahead against City, while Long also caught the eye, even in what turned out to be a chastening second half:

“Barnesy was terrific, he came off the left as he has before for us, and at Brighton.

“Kevin Long will get a lot from that, the quick, clever play, the movement around you, things a centre half who’s not young in years, but is young in his real development at this level.

“They’re things you learn from, and there’s still more to come from these players.”

Dyche added: “The fitness of some of the lads who haven’t played that much, Vokesy, Westy, was good, but the details cost us.

“I think (City) had five efforts on target, and four goals. That’s sometimes what you get for £50m per player.

“We’ve got to develop that, it can’t be done overnight, season on season we’ve been adding and adding, but there isn’t a short fix, so we have to be aware of that.

“These moments can occur, but it’s hard, I think the team are giving a lot, and not always had the breaks, we’ve been a little bit hard done by, whether it’s a decision here and there, but I’m very pleased with the mentality of the players.”

And he has been given some nice reminders by some of his squad, that they are ready to perform: “There was a real good energy, good platform to play from with the organisation, countered on them many times, threat from set pieces, and it was only a little, vital period - you concede one, you can’t concede again so quickly, which is where we’ve got to continue to develop.

“Stay focused, tuned in, stick with the basics of the side, until the game calms and you get a foothold again.

“But that doesn’t develop overnight, that’s a time thing.

“These can do that and have done to many sides this year.”