Step in the right direction for Burnley boss Howe

Burnley ended a run of three straight away defeats with a 0-0 draw, but couldn’t quite extend the Bluebirds’ run of home defeats since losing the Carling Cup final to Liverpool on penalties last month to four.

The Clarets had the better of the openings, while defensively were untroubled throughout, and Howe – back in the dugout after missing the Crystal Palace game following the death of his mother Annie – said: “I thought in the first half we were on top and created the best chances in the game.

“I was delighted with how the lads played in terms of being brave and playing out from the back and passing the ball.

“I thought some of our moves in the game and some of our passing combinations were excellent.

“It’s the hardest way to play, but I think long-term it’s the best way to guarantee results.

“I’m delighted with the players taking responsibility and playing that way, and that starts from the goalkeeper all through the side.

“I thought there were a lot of positives for us.

“I’m disappointed we didn’t win the game because I felt we probably deserved to, but to come here and get a point is probably not a bad result.”

But Howe feels the hard work put into developing Burnley’s passing game is beginning to bear fruit: “At the start of the season we were definitely trying to pass the ball but didn’t get the results we wanted.

“It’s very difficult in this league to implement something relatively quickly.

“We had to sort of take a step back midway through the season and try to get some results.

“We feel long-term it’s the best way to go.

“Burnley fans crave good football, we want to coach good football and the players want to play good football.

“Long-term I think we will benefit no end but the first thing we have to do is learn from our mistakes – and there will be mistakes along the way and we have to be brave enough to say that’s how we’re going to do it and stick to what we want to do.”