SEAN Dyche wants his Burnley squad to channel the spirit of last season to help in their Premier League relegation battle.

The Burnley boss believes allowing his side to play with freedom has been a big part of their success since the start of the 2013-14 campaign.

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But with eight games to go the Clarets are locked in a tense battle to avoid the drop and an immediate return to the Championship.

Despite that, Dyche wants his players to remember how they claimed a place in the top-flight in the first place.

“There was a freedom to play through last season even when the heat turns up,” said Dyche.

“I want that this season, I want the players to be aware of that.

“Some of that comes naturally - we were written off at the start, in the middle, still written off now, but most of the expectation is on the opposition.

“No one thought we could beat Manchester City.”

Last term the Clarets put together a 16 game league unbeaten run just after Christmas to make a place in the top two their own, and despite a couple of defeats later in the season they secured promotion with two games to spare.

This season their best performances have come against the top seven teams in the league, when little has been expected of them, which should bode well for successive home games against Tottenham and Arsenal.

“I just think if we can keep clear minds and that freedom to go out and play, then that’s a really good foundation to work from,” said Dyche.

“I’ve been happy with how the players have used that this season.

“There have been times when we could have used it more wisely, but it takes time to develop a mindset and understanding of the challenge outside what it is on the pitch.

“All the media, the full stadiums, mass coverage worldwide, Twitter, Facebook, all the things the players are experiencing 10 times what they experienced last year.

“That’s all got to be made sense of, then you’ve got to go out and win games.

“It can’t all be done overnight, but slowly but surely, there’s been a rise in what we’re looking to achieve, and as long as it keeps rising, we’ll be alright.”

With two months of the season to go Burnley are one point behind Sunderland and three behind Aston Villa and Hull, giving them every chance of securing a second season in the Premier League.

Despite that opportunity being within their grasp Dyche insists that the expectation remains off his team.

“What’s the worst that can happen? Everyone thinks we have no chance,” he said. “Maybe a little bit now, but not at the start of the season or Christmas.

“It’s really about us delivering performances.”