SEAN Dyche has praised Burnley's 'old guard' for keeping pace with the club's development in recent seasons.

The Clarets chief turned to some of his Turf Moor veterans in the final weeks of the season, with George Boyd and Scott Arfield impressing out wide, while Sam Vokes finished the campaign with five goals in five games.

Dyche said he hadn't gone back to the familiar faces who have played a major role in Burnley's recent successes as part of a deliberate plan, but he did praise them on the way they've managed to take strides forward alongside the club.

"As we’ve moved forward they’ve had to move forward with it, rather than players coming in who are new to it," the Clarets chief said.

"It’s good on them that they have moved forward with it. The challenge has been a hard one, you ride the crest of a wave to get promoted, then you have the hardships of not staying in the division, then you go back up again and you've got to readjust again.

"In those seasons the game moves forward so they’ve done well in that regard. But I don’t pick the team because it’s players I work with for longer periods, I just pick the team I think can win."

Dyche takes plenty of pride when players under his watch improve, and he believes the culture and values instilled around Gawthorpe has helped create an environment that encourages development.

"Even off the pitch, I remember when Boydy signed I took him over the bridge at the training ground and I said ‘all that field and reeds and rushes, that’s going to be what’s there now’," Dyche said.

"Now we laugh about it and he says ‘I wondered if you were serious. Fair play gaffer, you told me and there it is’

"On the pitch they’ve developed into the team culture and the environment here.

"I like it when individuals move forward, that's a big part of my belief in coaching and management. I’ve had my day, it’s not about me, it’s about what I can give to them to aid them on their journey to be even better and to improve.

"I like it when players do that and I think we’ve got a big group that have mostly moved forward."

On what allows players at the club to develop, Dyche added: "I just think it’s very professional but it’s built on key core values. There’s a responsibility from the players and from the staff that we share.

"We offer support and guidance, I don’t tell them what to do all the time. I say ‘I think this will be good for you’ but I leave it up to them, I always think it’s more powerful when you make the choice and decide it.

"Some players will take being told, we’re all different, but most like it if it’s shared ownership. If I offer them something and they take it that’s a much more powerful thing and I’ve been really pleased over time that we’ve created that open culture.

"It’s something that means something and stands for something. It doesn’t win you a match but it gives you a better chance."