Dyche threatens more ‘polite reminders’ on the road

Burnley manager Sean Dyche hopes his players are finally starting to understand what is required of them away from home, but is still tempted to read them the riot act again before kick-off at Tottenham.

The Clarets went down 1-0 at West Ham on Wednesday night to suffer a sixth Premier League defeat on the road.

Centre-half Michael Keane revealed Dyche had “stern words with a lot of the lads” during the break at London Stadium, with Hammers having taken the lead moments before with a penalty.

Burnley went on to produce a much-improved display for the second half, but it was not enough to find a way back into the match.

“It was just a couple of polite words which reminded them of the responsibility of what we do and not what the opposition do,” the Clarets boss said of his half-time address.

“I thought there was a good response to that. Maybe I have to start the game by having a couple of polite reminders.”

Dyche accepts Burnley’s form on the road has to improve if they are to remain clear of trouble over the second half of the campaign.

“Sometimes it is just down to performances. There have been a number of games where we have not played well enough, it is as simple as that,” he added in a press conference.

“In the last two, we have played better, Now we have to do that in the whole game and not just pockets or a half.”

Spurs come into Sunday’s match on the back of 3-0 win over Hull which keeps Mauricio Pochettino’s side within striking distance of the top four.

“There is a bit more urgency to their play now, both with and without possession, and also there is some real quality there,” Dyche said.

“Tottenham’s players have been given time to develop and are now coming of age, and they look like a really strong side.

“They are just slightly under the glare of the other super-powers, but I think they are right up amongst them.”

Dyche expects to strengthen the squad when the transfer window opens in January.

“Everyone speaks about the January window being very tough to do business, but we are certainly attempting to look in the areas we need,” he said.