SEAN Dyche is urging his squad to keep an open mind after Burnley completed their 'first target' for the season.

The win at West Ham on Saturday took the Clarets to 43 points, surpassing their total of 40 from last term and setting a new Premier League record for the club.

Dyche has always insisted that his target for every year is simply progress and the Clarets have ticked that box now with eight games still go.

That leaves Burnley sat seventh in the Premier League and in contention for Europa League qualification, but Dyche just wants to see his side carry on with what they're doing this term.

"The first target is complete. I've spoken about development and improvement and we got to 40 last week, and then to go to 43 is very pleasing, with eight to go," the Clarets chief said.

"Now it's open-mindedness, keep doing what we're doing, keep being diligent and see where it can take us."

Burnley are without a fixture for 21 days now due to the FA Cup quarter-finals, which forced the postponement of this weekend's clash with Chelsea, and the international break.

But they head into that run after back-to-back wins, having previously gone 12 games without a win in all competitions.

Dyche added: "It's not that we decided not to win in 11 games, we weren't looking for that run, I mentioned at the time, our squad was stretched for the first time, we had a couple of things out of our hands, decisions went against us, but I did feel when the injuries cleared up, the strength of the squad improved, and players see that and it gives them extra belief.

"We're coming back to what we were before the injuries. It doesn't guarantee anything, but gives you a better chance.

"We have a group who demand more from themselves."

Dyche was disappointed with his side's first half display at the London Stadium, but the Burnley boss was again thankful for their ability to dig in and keep themselves in games.

"We just looked a bit huff and puff, but a really good reaction second half, and we have been, at least, good at staying in games, not all season, but for a lot of it, and that’s important," Dyche said.

“We’re not the real deal, the Premier League is tough, so we have to do everything, be diligent with the basics, do the ugly stuff, and second half we showed some real quality to win."