SEAN Dyche continues to scour the transfer market as he looks for strength in depth ahead of another Premier League campaign. After securing a 2-0 win at League Two Oldham Athletic in what was Burnley’s first friendly in front of fans, the Clarets boss noted: “We are probably one or two short” when it comes to squad numbers. But of his current crop, Dyche was satisfied with the performance against Keith Curle’s Latics.
Sean Dyche said: “They had 90 minutes on Tuesday at the training ground and a heavy couple of days, so I thought there might be a little bit of lethargy which I thought in the first half there was – more mentally as well. The team that came on second half, there was a lot of sharpness to it and they looked clear-minded and overall it was a good end to a good week.”
Jay Rodriguez opened the scoring with his third goal in two friendlies after coming on at half-time, before youngster Lewis Richardson scored his first senior goal for the club a minute later.
Sean Dyche said: “He’s a young talent, so we’ll how he goes. He’s maturing and getting more used to it. He had moments last season when he was in amongst us. I know we were stretched with injuries but we know he’s in the background, working hard at his game and he’s done well this pre-season, working hard amongst the young players in the main first team group. These are good games for the young lads as well, mixing with the first team lads.”
It was not Burnley’s first friendly of the summer, but the first chance for fans to be able to watch. Indeed, it was a first away day since February 2020. And that was another positive for Dyche.
Sean Dyche said: “It was terrific. I think we all want that. To see our own fans away from home in a pre-season game has got to be a good sign. We hope so, anyway, and it was great to see the fans there.”
