SEAN Dyche believes 'the margins' have gone against Burnley defensively this season.

The Clarets have conceded nine goals in their last three Premier League games, suffering a 3-1 defeat to Watford, a 4-2 reverse at Fulham and a 2-0 loss to Manchester United.

That has led to concern about Burnley's defence, having looked so secure previously under Dyche. But the Turf Moor chief said the statistics suggested the squad weren't under more pressure than they were a year ago.

"There’s a strange stat to it and I've told the players this," he said.

"Last season in the first four Premier League games we ran roughly about 200 defensive actions on average, this season it's 188. In the defensive third we averaged 92 actions, this season it's 66. Blocks have also gone down, from 36 per cent to 28 per cent.

"Sometimes you have to hold your hands up to the margins. They're often tight for us and you have to get on the right side of them.

"We've had two worldies scored against us as well."

Dyche also insists that it's not just a case of looking at the defending, highlighting scoring goals as well as an issue having not created enough chances against Fulham or Manchester United.

"There’s a psychology to it as well, it’s not just about defending, it’s about scoring," Dyche said.

"We created enough against Southampton and Watford, not enough against Fulham and United.

"Sometimes the best form of defence is to attack and take your chances."