Saturday 14 January 2017 19:17, UK
Sean Dyche revealed a glimpse of his strong relationship with Joey Barton after the midfielder fired Burnley to victory over Southampton on his return.
The midfielder came off the bench to score a late free-kick and seal a 1-0 win for the Clarets in his first Premier League appearance since signing a short-term deal until the end of the season.
Dyche said Barton had joked with him that he had forgotten what it was like not to be in the starting eleven after the manager selected him among his substitutes.
“He couldn’t remember the last time. He said ‘what do I do? Do I take my boots out with me? Or wear a t-shirt or a warm-up top or what?" Dyche said.
“So I just said ‘oi you, get on with it’. There was another word in there, but you can imagine the sort of rapport that builds out of that moment.
“You can’t make it up. I said to him ‘I couldn’t write your story’. And he'll be telling everyone it was a sublime finish.
"He’s experienced of course and there is a manliness and assuredness about his performances. That’s from playing top level football for many years around many top clubs.
“He takes some stick at times but he’s so used to that it just brushes off him, and he gets on with it and focuses on his football."
Southampton dominated possession for the majority of the game but the late victory moves Dyche's side above the Saints into 10th in the Premier League.
"I am pleased to take a win. Southampton are a very good side, so this win is a very good one," he said.
"We stayed resolute, kept our shape and, as the game wore, we created those maybes. We deserved a scratch of luck."
