SEAN Dyche was grateful to hear Tony Pulis describe him as one of the Premier League's top three managers this week, but said all respect between him and the Baggies boss will go out the window come 3pm Saturday.

Pulis was full of praise for the job done by Dyche at Turf Moor this season, with the Clarets able to confirm their place in the Premier League next season with a win over West Brom this weekend.

It is a respect reciprocated by Dyche, at least until the two teams step out onto the pitch on Saturday afternoon.

"I thank him for that," Dyche said when told of Pulis' appreciation of his work. "Trust me, that will go out of the window when the whistle blows.

"I’ve known him for a very long time from being a player playing against his teams down the years. Then when I became an assistant under Malky (Mackay, at Watford), he used to come down with his team to use the training ground at Watford, so you get to know them a little bit more.

"Then I took over as manager and got to know him a little bit more. It builds over years of service. I’ve got a lot of respect for him and he knows that.

"He’s always good to speak to. He’s certainly not going to mess you around with his words. He tells you exactly what he’s thinking.

"I’ve great respect for him, but equally I know he wants to win. He wants to succeed. So that will go out of the window when the whistle blows.

"But that’s the respect I have with all managers. I’m happy to speak to them before and afterwards, but once that whistle blows, we’re all at work and we all want to win."

Dyche and Pulis are two of the Premier League's flag bearers for British managers, with Pulis the leading British manager in the division, while the Clarets chief is receiving plenty of plaudits for taking Burnley to 14th in the top flight.

"I still think Eddie (Howe) is out there, I think he’s the one who has done an amazing job," Dyche said.

"All of the British managers (have) I think because numbers are getting lower.

"We all stand for something but I don’t go to bed thinking I’ve got to do well for the British managers.

"I think it’s helpful if British managers are out there doing well because it encourages the next level of managers and the thirst to do well, but we’re not trying to wave some kind of flag, certainly I’m not."

Pulis might be leading the charge in terms of league positions for domestic bosses, but his style of play can still see him short of the credit he perhaps deserves, not that Dyche thinks that will concern him.

"One thing I know about Tony, I don’t think he’s that hurt by any of it," he said.

"He’s very success-minded, he’s win-minded. I’m a bit like that. I’m not a zealot to any particular style of football, I like the one that can win.

"I think there’s a bit of that about him. When you look at his teams they are usually big physically, they’re structured, experienced. He forms a team that he knows can get results. That’s his first marker."