Saturday 29 August 2015 20:02, UK
Sean Dyche admitted his Burnley team needed to weather a storm before subduing Sky Bet Championship newcomers Bristol City at Ashton Gate on Saturday.
Headers from defenders Ben Mee and Michael Keaton had the Clarets 2-0 up at the break - but only after Steve Cotterill's men had squandered a number of chances.
It was not until injury time that striker Jonathan Kodjia finally forced the ball in from Korey Smith's cross to give City a consolation, leaving Dyche to reflect on a job well done after a 2-1 success.
He said: "Bristol City were really good in the first half and our goals came somewhat against the run of things. They were very impressive, but we showed the organisation and commitment to keep them out.
"In the second half we were much better, without being particularly fluid. We managed the game well and calmed it down.
"Sometimes you need to do that because you can't be brilliant every week. Now we can use the time before the next game, knowing we already have good points on the board."
Dyche will also use the international break to bed in new signings Joey Barton and Andre Gray, who was roundly barracked by City fans on his Burnley debut, having turned down a move to Ashton Gate.
Explaining the absence of latest recruit Barton, Dyche said: "Joey had some prior commitments, which I fully supported him over, but he will be with us from Monday.
"Andre Gray did well on his debut and he too will benefit from having time on the training ground with us."
City were undone by two first half corners. On 34 minutes Mee outjumped Luke Ayling to powerfully head home David Jones' cross.
Then Jones delivered another flag-kick from the right six minutes later which saw Keane get the better of Aden Flint to nod past Ben Hamer from close range.
City paid for not capitalising on some brilliant attacking play in the opening half hour, their former goalkeeper Tom Heaton playing his part with some fine saves.
Boss Cotterill said: "No one is more frustrated than I am at the moment, but I know we are playing the right way and there is no chance of us departing from it.
"We haven't got the points we deserved from our opening games, in which the performances have been very good.
"Unfortunately, we keep paying dearly for mistakes and that was the case again today, both with the defending at corners and the build-ups that led to them.
"But again we caused a very good team no end of problems going forward. They couldn't handle us in the first half."
Cotterill revealed before the game that wing-back Ryan Fredericks, only signed from Tottenham a few weeks ago, is heading back to London, with Fulham thought to be his likely destination.
