Burnley winger Aaron Lennon praises Sean Dyche's influence
Tuesday 3 April 2018 15:53, UK
Aaron Lennon says Burnley's players are reaping the rewards of manager Sean Dyche's tough training regime.
Dyche holds all of his training sessions outdoors, irrespective of the weather, and it appears to be having the desired effect.
The Clarets sit seventh in the Premier League table and are competing for a place in next season's Europa League.
"We train really hard throughout the week," Lennon told Sky Sports News. "There's no easy days here but we're getting the benefits.
I've fully settled into the squad, the lads and gaffer have been great, and I think that's showing in my performances.
"Whether it's snowing, raining, hailstones, we'll be outside. But that's the way it should be - you play on grass. The lads have had a bit of banter when the snow has been coming down.
"Gloves are allowed but that's probably as far as it goes. No hats, no snoods. That's the way the gaffer works.
"No one expected us to be where we are. We were tipped to go down [at the start of the season]. The gaffer takes a lot of credit for that."
Lennon joined Burnley from Everton during the January transfer window and feels he is rediscovering some of his best form thanks to Dyche.
"He has been very honest with me," said the 30-year-old. "He said, 'Aaron, I want you to come here, enjoy your football, play with a smile on your face and work hard'. And that's what I've tried to do.
"I've fully settled into the squad, the lads and gaffer have been great, and I think that's showing in my performances. Everyone has made me feel so welcome."
Lennon says qualifying for next season's Europa League would be huge for Burnley but warned the extra games would also present challenges.
"It's very difficult, playing Thursday and Sunday," he said. "You need to rotate the squad - you need a bigger squad because you're playing every three days.
"You don't get to do as much work on the training field because it's all about recovering before playing another game. It's a big difference."
Having failed to win a game in January and February, Burnley won all three of their March fixtures and will attempt to extend that run when they travel to Watford on Saturday.
"We're on a great run of form and want to keep it going," he said. "We're looking forward to the Watford game and are going there in high confidence, looking to take the three points."
