Dyche positive despite defeat extending Burnley’s away woes

Manager Sean Dyche was left full of pride at his Burnley players’ performances despite slipping to yet another defeat away from home.

The Clarets’ well-documented away-day blues continued with a 2-1 defeat at Watford, still left with just one point to their name which came against Manchester United back in October.

(Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images)

But it could have been a lot worse for Burnley when Jeff Hendrick was sent off just six minutes in at Vicarage Road before Troy Deeney opened the scoring four minutes later.

And while M’Baye Niang scored on his Hornets home debut, the visitors refused to give in as Ashley Barnes’ penalty 12 minutes from time gave them hope of a fightback.

It’s that desire which left Dyche with mixed emotions come the final whistle, proud of the attitude the ten men showed on their travels.

“The early sending off affects the game radically, but I thought we were absolutely fantastic,” he said.

“To take a knock so early, as we did by losing Jeff, then play for that amount of time away from home with ten men, particularly in the second half, and show that will and desire to go and win a game was absolutely outstanding.

“I totally appreciate the crowd’s part in that because they were right behind the team, and it’s fantastic to hear them and see their team give absolutely every ounce of effort.

“That was massively on show. We took the game on and had a clear view of trying to win it, even at 2-0 down and had a couple of golden chances at the end when we could have taken something.

“In the end it could have been one of those great stories, but unfortunately not.

“However, if we keep going about our business as we are, then we’ll be fine, I’m sure.”