BURNLEY’S unity and team spirit is a vital part of their success, according to boss Sean Dyche.

The Clarets have lost just three of their last 11 games and have moved to 12th in the Premier League and into the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Victory over non-league Lincoln City at Turf Moor on Saturday will book a quarter-final for Burnley for the first time in 14 seasons.

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Deadline day signings Robbie Brady and Ashley Westwood have already highlighted the unique togetherness of the Turf Moor squad, and Dyche believes it is a vital asset for the club.

“There was only one team that I’ve been in when there wasn’t that real under-pinning of that unity as a player,” the Clarets chief said.

“I was promoted four times with four different clubs and there was only one that really got by on talent.

“The rest, underneath the talent and organisation, had a unity and a belief in the team. The team always got put before the individuals and that’s always a powerful thing I think.

“I mention it a lot in the sense that it doesn’t always guarantee you everything that you want but it gives you a whole better chance. The way that I work is to enhance your chances of being successful, whether it’s you as an individual, the team, the group, the staff, the club.

“I think it gives you a better chance of being successful if you have that unity and alignment, if everybody is aligned with what the task is and how we get there. I think that’s a key thing.”

A lot of Dyche’s squad have experienced time in the lower leagues to varying degrees, with Andre Gray rising from non-league, while Tom Heaton and Scott Arfield were signed after leaving Championship club’s on free transfers.

The Burnley boss believes his squad have had to scrap and fight for all their success, which is they value what they are achieving now, and he promised they will ‘go to war’ once again on Saturday as they face the National League leaders six days after holding the Premier League leaders to a draw.

“They value everything they’ve worked hard for and that’s the key to it, there’s been no gimmes at this club,” said Dyche.

“We’ve had to work for everything we’ve got through my time here.

“We’re still doing that. I think there’s an honesty to how we go about it. It’s a constant process and I think they’re mindset is on this.

“Whether it’s at home to Chelsea or in the cup against Lincoln it’s another game, we’ve got to go to war and do our business.”