Friday 25 November 2016 15:49, UK
Sean Dyche says "the marvel of football" means Burnley cannot be written off against Manchester City this weekend.
Monday night's 4-0 defeat at West Brom left Burnley with just one point from five games away from home in this season's Premier League.
But Dyche believes the Clarets are better than that run of form, and that view is backed up by a home haul of 13 points.
Despite his respect for Pep Guardiola's early work at the Etihad, the Burnley boss is not ruling out a shock result to match last month's point at Manchester United.
"We haven't found our feet at all away from home and some of that is down to the opposition but we know we're better than that," Dyche said at his pre-match press conference.
"It's not a free hit because we want to take on every game and get points on the table. There's a huge gulf between us and Manchester City on and off the pitch but it is the marvel of football.
"Random results turn up and we've had plenty of them since I've been here - we've had some this season. Internally we have an expectation of delivering a performance."
City are safely through to the Champions League knockout and sit a point off top spot in the league in their first season under Guardiola.
"I think he's fantastic," Dyche said. "I have absolute respect for these people and the things that they've achieved in the game. He's certainly the top end of the market.
"He has changed their sharpness, both out of possession and in possession and I think he's brought that in as a key factor among lots of other things, including changing the shape and the tactics regularly.
"It's easier said than done to press these teams. You have to press at appropriate times and it's a case of how the game pans out."
Joey Barton, once of City, is back training with Burnley after leaving Rangers, but there is no deal on the table for the time being.
Dyche said: "He's not with the first team, he's doing background fitness work with the sports science team. That's an ongoing thing until things change in the future.
"He'd had an indifferent time with being away from the club and different things going on in Scotland...so it's about getting him fit and sharp. That's good for him...who knows about us? We'll take that on when I see fit."
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