Youngsters are a positive as Burnley edge out MK Dons in FA Cup tie

Burnley’s injury problems this season have, at least, seen a number of youngsters get chances they may otherwise not have had.
Anthony Glennon makes a challengeAnthony Glennon makes a challenge
Anthony Glennon makes a challenge

This season alone, Bobby Thomas, Josh Benson, Anthony Glennon and, against MK Dons, birthday boy Joel Mumbongo have made debuts, while Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Jimmy Dunne and Dwight McNeil - a regular for two years - are also 24 and under and fixtures in the squad.

Midfielder Benson has made nine appearances so far this season, including three starts, and is growing with every involvement, while Sean Dyche was delighted with the impact of fellow substitutes Glennon and Mumbongo against MK Dons.

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Dyche said: “There is that, there’s always something that balances out the negative and that’s it, Benno has done really well, he looks more and more at home every time he gets out there, his belief has risen.

“Glenno got a bit of a taste at Millwall, he was with us last season, and he did well, and Joel has been on the bench a couple of times, and I just thought it was right today, that pace and power, and he did excellent when he came on.”

Dyche felt there were more positives on the day as well, as the Clarets edged through 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, with Matej Vydra equalising in stoppage time: “Vyds’ mentality when he came on, Dale Stephens looks more like he got what we’re about, (Jack) Corky coming through - that was a sensible decision by the way, we had a planned game this week that he would have played in, he’s done brilliant, Johann (Berg Gudmundsson) as well, so it was a real balancing act and I’m pleased with our side of things and making sure we still got through.”

Mumbongo made his debut on his 22nd birthday, and claimed an assist for Vydra’s goal.

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And Dyche feels the young Swede has much to offer moving forward: “He’s got a long way to go but we like what he’s about, he’s got pace and power, and more than that, he’s just got to tidy up his game.

“He did well but he has days when it’s not quite working and that’s when he’s got to find that consistency and game understanding that obviously comes with time.

“The more you play, the more you gain that experience, but he showed good signs.“