Thursday 12 February 2015 07:44, UK
Burnley manager Sean Dyche was delighted with his side’s performance but says they need to turn displays into wins after the 3-1 defeat at Manchester United.
The visitors were on top for large spells of the first half and cancelled out Chris Smalling’s early header when Danny Ings scored his fifth goal in six Premier League appearances.
But Smalling put the hosts back in front before Robin van Persie sealed United’s victory from the spot, and Dyche was left in two minds over the performance and the result.
“This game does kick you in the rear sometimes, and that’s what it did tonight,” he said. “I thought we were outstanding for most of the game, the first half particularly.
“I think everyone in the stadium was amazed that they came out of the first half 2-1 up after the chances we created, the quality of chances we created, the quality of our football and our goal.
“When I talk about how I imagine the team playing, that’s what it is. Obviously not the goals, of course, but the manner in which we went about it, the energy, the organisation – I thought the tactical frame was excellent.
“But we’re getting hurt for the details at the moment and it’s happened to us a few times this season. That’s the growth we need in these players – to smell danger at this level, because games can turn quickly and they can turn almost on nothing.
“To come to Old Trafford and handle what it is but also play in that manner, I thought was excellent.
“But you don’t get anything for it and that’s the thing we have to change – we have to turn our performances into wins. We have done for spells but we need to do it more.”
Ings produced another star turn for the Clarets and could have made it 2-2 shortly after the break, but wasted a glorious opportunity as he shot straight at David De Gea.
Dyche was disappointed his top scorer couldn’t find the net on that occasion, but hailed the impact of a striker who is having a dream debut Premier League season.
“I thought he was terrific – he was absolutely outstanding again,” he added.
“They are the details at this level. That goes in and the crowd go crazy. They get nervous, even more nervous, and we continue to play and grow again.
“They are the fine margins, but don’t get me wrong, Danny Ings was absolutely excellent tonight against some high-quality opposition.
