DAVID Jones believes Burnley’s relentless positivity could help see them survive in the Premier League.

The 30-year-old, a veteran of relegation battles with Derby, Wolves and Wigan, said he had never been at a club like Burnley where the squad remains positive whatever happens.

He puts that attitude down to the work of manager Sean Dyche, but is clueless to explain quite how the boss does it.

“It’s incredible. I’ve never been to a club where the positivity stays the same, regardless of win, lose or draw,” he said.

“Sometimes those things are out of your hands but the performance, the effort and the energy, the will and desire – they always have to be constant here.

“The manager has always had that mentality and it’s always a positive place. I don’t think it ever changes.”

Jones believes the Monday morning meetings held after every Premier League weekend are the key to maintaining that positive attitude. But how does Dyche go about lifting his players after a weekend disappointment?

“To be honest, I don’t know,” said the former Manchester United youngster.

“He’s just very clever. I just know that I end up coming out of a Monday meeting, win lose or draw, with a positive mentality. Ready to train, wanting to train and wanting to give my all, so whatever he does and says works.”

Dyche isn’t keen to give up the secrets of those Monday morning sessions. When asked what he was saying to his players, he joked he was ‘lying’ to them.

But whatever he does say clearly works as the Clarets approach every game with the belief they can win and maintain their place in the Premier League for a second season.

“Before games, the manager always talks about legs, hearts and minds,” said Jones.

“That’s what makes a performance and that’s key thing that we like to carry on to the pitch. I don’t think there’s any danger of that not being the same for the last seven games.

“It gets to this point and you think ‘we’ve only got seven games, let’s just go for it’. That’s what we’ll do.”
With seven games to go, starting with Arsenal’s visit to Turf Moor tomorrow, the Clarets are locked in a six-way fight to avoid the drop to the Championship.

But Jones has no doubt that Burnley won’t succumb to the pressure between now and the end of May.

“The staff and the manager have worked on a mentality to be ready for this kind of situation,” he said.
“Regardless of what’s happening in and around you, you have to be ready to perform and give your all in each game.

“I don’t think there’ll be a shock to the system for anybody. We’re used to playing in pressure situations.

“There’s no panic button pressed, it’s just a growth of players. Since I’ve been here, the manager has worked on a mentality grown within the group.

“We’re so much further on than a few years ago and ready to deal with this situation.

“There’s no big change or any big panic button being pressed, it’s just a constant evolution of strengthening our mentality and we just keep going regardless of what’s happening around us. We just want to perform and get results.”