Performance a priority

The Clarets host Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at Turf Moor, on the back of one of their most disappointing displays in recent memory, Monday night’s 4-0 defeat at West Brom,

And while Burnley took four points off defending champions City two seasons ago, and have beaten Liverpool and Everton, and held Manchester United so far this term, Dyche accepts tomorrow represents a mammoth task: “City can change at will, system and personnel, they have depth beyond what is on the pitch and the bench, in every position. They are top class, simple as that.

“These are different games for us, we want to give a performance, and the fans will back us, but City are a super power, part of the elite.

“They are working with top-class players, and they have the option to change the shape, play in different slots, so we’re well aware of the task.

“They’re among a group of super powers, if not the super power in the Premier League.

“It’s not easy, but we’ll look for a performance, and we have managed to get points on the board against the big sides, two seasons ago and this. We just have to ensure we perform and see what happens.”

Meanwhile, amid the plaudits levelled at Guardiola’s sophisticated, innovative style, Dyche is interested to see some old-fashioned fundamental facets of the game still have an important role: “I’m intrigued by the idea that someone with his knowledge and experience still looks to get the basics right - that’s something I look at as a young manager.

“They have unbelievable layers of quality, top class, but he’s got them fitter and pressing, which is slightly different.

“So I’m intrigued by that belief, simplicity is a fantastic thing, and that someone with his background insists on the basics has really come through quite evidently.

“In terms of the systems, they have all been around for 140 years, I think it’s not inventing the wheel, more making the best wheel you can.

“The detail of the game is what has changed. The physical, technical - transition is the big thing now, player awareness. The framework has been there, it’s how detailed you can be.”