Dyche focused on performances not position

Clarets boss Sean Dyche remains focused on performances, rather than his side's position in the Premier League table.
Sean DycheSean Dyche
Sean Dyche

With 11 games remaining, Burnley sit 12th, nine points clear of the relegation zone, despite a fourth league game without a win at Swansea City on Saturday.

That sequence, remarkably, is the longest they have gone without a win this term as they look to secure Premier League safety at the third attempt.

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An injury time winner for the Swans at the Liberty Stadium was a blow, but with Hull City, Middlesbrough and Sunderland all losing, the gap between the Clarets and 18th place was only cut by a point.

Dyche feels the points will take care of themselves if the performances are right, however.

Asked about the gap still being nine points from danger, Dyche said: "It's not even about that, it's just the fact I'm more interested in the performances.

"I speak about it endlessly, because I think they're important, and if you're doing that well, you will get things right.

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"We weren't miles off at Swansea, the margins are tight, but we weren't like we have been, even away from home.

"But respect to them, I think they're a good side and I'll be very surprised if they hang around down there, I was surprised anyway mid-season."

Burnley move on to Anfield on Sunday to face Liverpool, looking for a league double and first away win of the season.

The Clarets are likely to be without Joey Barton, who faces an FA hearing into alleged betting offences tomorrow, but Ashley Barnes returns from suspension, while Steven Defour could be available after a month out with a hamstring injury.

Johann Berg Gudmundsson (knee) remains a doubt, however: "Barnesy comes back available, I doubt Johann...Steven Defour maybe, he's had a good week with us, so we'll see what the week brings."