SEAN Dyche has some good news for Burnley fans.

The Clarets are seventh in the early Premier League table eight games in having made a strong start to the season.

But Dyche insists that his side can still get better – with their renowned endeavour, organisation and battling qualities having helped them get through some games thus far.

The technical side of things is where the Burnley boss is eyeing improvement after the international break, his side having a tough assignment on paper at fourth in the table Leicester City on Saturday.

“It’s a very difficult task for us going through every season, trying to play well every week, and technically play well,” Dyche said.

“But the one thing we’ve managed to do is, if that side of our game isn’t as pure as it could be - which it often isn’t, it’s still a work in progress - all the things that factor in winning a match, we do well.

“The shape, the energy, the relentless nature of trying to win a game, they’re all intact.

“Within the game, they are some things the fans that come always see. But Nick Pope was outstanding against Everton, without having to make big saves - his dominant way, his calmness, he continues to mature all the time.

“The two centre halves were outstanding as well, so there’s all those things.

“There are still individual qualities we show, that can win us games.

"We know every season we have to do that, we have to find individual moments, but you have to do the hard, ugly stuff, like all teams have, but we sometimes have to do it more.

“We showed grit, determination and organisation (against Everton), and still found the moment to win the game which was

pleasing.”

Those qualities were needed to help the Clarets to safety in the second-half of last season, defeat to Everton 5-1 last Boxing Day at Turf Moor left many fans leaving the ground fearing a real relegation battle was coming in 2019.

That didn’t materialise though with the improving form continuing into the new campaign.

Burnley’s performances are the moment are in real contrast to 12 months ago when they struggled to manage both Premier League and Europa League challenges and have evoked memories of the kind of displays that saw Dyche lead his side to Europe with a seventh-placed finish in the top flight back in May 2018.

“It was a joyous period in my career until Christmas, thanks for reminding me!” Dyche joked.

“But you learn a lot about yourself and your staff and players, and the togetherness saw us through over the season, and it’s certainly there again, and the will and demand.

“I’m enjoying the work the players are putting in.”