Sean Dyche encouraged despite defeat

Burnley went down to a goal from former Clarets loan winger Nathan Dyer, on his 100th Premier League appearance, midway through the first half.

But after the break, Dyche’s men bossed the ball and penned Swansea in their own half, with Lukas Jutkiewicz twice going close to a deserved equaliser.

It didn’t come, but Dyche said: “I thought first half we showed them too much respect, and that can happen with a team that has been promoted.

“The early part of the season you’re finding your feet. Some feel they belong, some are questioning whether they belong, and we played a bit like that in the first half.

“We created some good chances, as did they, and they were the better side in the first half, and second half it was about reminding them of the freedom I want them to play with.

“And they were terrific, the quality, the energy, the framework to make sure we didn’t give chances away was excellent.

“We’re not naive enough to think the growth period doesn’t have to be quick, because it does, but there were good signs against Chelsea - who are a different animal - and Swansea, who, with all due respect are not Chelsea yet.

“They are a very good side, but probably more a realistic challenge for us.”

Burnley were described as “direct” by Jose Mourinho, but while they threw everything at Swansea in the second half, it was a considered approach: “I want the players to play with that patience because tactically they dropped off a long way, and you have to find different ways to open teams up, and I thought we did that in the second half.

“I want them to play with freedom, quality and energy and that was all on show.

“But we didn’t get anything, and that’s the challenge we’ve got. There’ll come a time when we’ll take an ugly 1-0, you always so as a manager, but there’s a growth period within the side and this will do them the world of good to know they can compete at this level.”

Dyche was, however, disappointed with the goal his side conceded: “It was the only real outstanding negative.

“It was poor from our defensive framework, the distances, the shape of the team, and we allowed them to play through us too easily.”

Burnley have until 11 p.m. on September 1st to add to their squad, and after one target Henri Lansbury, signed a new contract at Nottingham Forest on Friday, Dyche said on the transfer situation: “It’s a tough challenge still. The club have made it clear there are certain guidelines I have to work within, and that’s part of my role.

“We are aligned though, there’s no point me saying ‘why haven’t I got £25m to spend?’ Because that would be counter-productive.

“I have to believe in the club, and there’s a collective one-club mentality.

“We have to flex our improved financial muscle accordingly, but, of course, in the Premier a League, there is a reality to things.

“We have to build a club and a team.”