JAMES Tarkowski insists it’s all about a collective effort at the back for the Clarets as he continues to earn praise for his performances.

The centre back has received plenty of plaudits as he fills Michael Keane’s shoes in the Burnley back four, but the 24-year-old believes it’s about the unit rather than individuals.

Only the two Manchester clubs have conceded fewer goals than the five the Clarets have shipped in seven games so far this season, and Tarkowski’s performances have played a big role in that as he repays Sean Dyche’s faith in him.

But the former Brentford man said Burnley’s ability to defend as a unit is influential in that record.

“We’re there to defend, that’s our main objective in the game, to stop goals going into our net,” Tarkowski said. “We’ve played some tough teams and been worked hard, but the back four and even the front lads have stuck to that.”

Tarkowski also praised the two goalkeepers Burnley have used so far this season in Tom Heaton and Nick Pope, who is standing in for the injured skipper.

“We’ve had two goalkeepers who have been fantastic so far, so it’s not just an individual thing, it’s all about the unit and the team,” he said.

Dyche didn’t sign a central defender in the transfer window as he backed Tarkowski to fill the gap left by Keane’s £30million move to Everton.

Tarkowski is leading the way in terms of defensive statistics in the Premier League this season, suggesting that decision has been vindicated.

He has made 74 clearances in seven top flight games this term, as well as putting in a remarkable 15 blocks.

Tarkowski believes everyone in the Clarets side, including those who play up front, do their job from a defensive point of view.

Dyche has always spoken of his desire for his defenders to defend first before they think about anything else, and that’s a mantra that Tarkowski supports.

“I think that’s the case throughout the team,” he said. “I know the defence gets a lot of praise for getting the blocks in and the clearances, but the front lads work just as hard as we do to stop the ball getting that far up the pitch.

“It’s not just about individuals at the back, it’s about the way we work as a team and it’s been good so far.”