DYCHE: IT HAS GIVEN ME SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

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Boss Sean Dyche looks ahead to Saturday's trip to Leicester City

2021-09-23T14:25:26.007Z

DYCHE: IT HAS GIVEN ME SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

Boss Sean Dyche looks ahead to Saturday's trip to Leicester City

2021-09-23T14:25:26.007Z

PL PREVIEW: BURNLEY V NORWICH CITY - Image 1

Manager Sean Dyche believes his side's midweek performance against Rochdale is giving him welcome selection problems ahead of a return to Premier League action.

His side face a trip to Leicester City this Saturday as they aim to kickstart their league season, following more Carabao Cup progress and the 4-1 win on Tuesday night.

Eight changes were made from the previous league game but the team responded with a scintillating second half.

Burnley boss Dyche says he now has real strength in depth to call upon, particularly up front, emphasised by Jay Rodriguez’s four-goal showing against the League Two side.

“Absolutely, it has given me something to think about. It is good to have people try and grab the shirt,” said Dyche.

“It is a nice problem to have because for many seasons I have been mentioning adding to the quality and layering up the squad.

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“I thought it was on show the other night when we made eight changes. In the past we might have made eight changes and not got a result.

“But the other night we looked like a proper side and that is because we were. With all due respect to Rochdale, who I appreciate aren’t a Premier League side, we were very strong in all departments.

“It is a pleasing sign for us as a collective.

“Up front particularly, Vyds [Matěj Vydra] looked sharper and fitter. He probably only needed a goal himself the other night to cap off his performance.

“Jay spoke for himself with his performance and goals. He has come back super-fit and is never far away from the team.

“Barnes and Woody historically have been an effective partnership. There are always decisions to be made, it’s not just about scoring a few goals. Everything is considered.

“However, it is very helpful trait for striker to score four goals in a game, no matter who you are playing against.

“But strikers are important to any side and I think we have four very good ones.”

Dyche's options were further strengthened by the arrival of Maxwel Cornet this summer, and the Ivorian winger also impressed on his first start for the club on Wednesday.

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The manager although full of praise for the new summer signing’s performance, is content to continue gradually easing him into the set-up.

He added: “He (Cornet) has had a good start, but he is still getting used to the football here.

“It is a different task going to Leicester from Tuesday night, but he has handled the beginning part of his time here very, very well.

“He's had a good start and has handled things very well. He seems to be enjoying the group and the training. It's early days but he looks active in games and training, and that is what you want.

“We ask a lot of our wide players here, but Maxwel broke the opposition backline very well the other night.”

Ahead of the Leicester City game, the manager also reported that the squad is not far away from full fitness, with two players having shaken off recent knocks.

“Wayne Hennessey, we lost before the game the other night, he turned his ankle, but we are hopeful on him. That is settling down.

“Also Josh Brownhill is back on the grass with us.

“Connor Roberts needs a bit more game time. As does Kevin Long, but he is training with the players now and is closer.”