Burnley boss Sean Dyche encouraged despite Stoke defeat

Burnley manager Sean Dyche was encouraged by his side's performance as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Stoke on Saturday afternoon.

Two excellent goals from Jon Walters and Marc Muniesa condemned the Clarets to a third straight Premier League defeat, but although he feels his side deserved more, Dyche admits there were an abundance positives to take.

"I thought we started nice and brightly and we put them on the back foot" said Dyche. "Maybe better quality in the final third would have forged better chances for us, but the general feel of the game put us on the front foot.

"They took the lead with poor play from us, poor defending in the corner; the second goal is a poor goal from us but obviously a very good goal from them."

But he made it clear that he did feel like his side had been short-changed on a number of occasions in the game.

"It didn't tell the whole story. I'm surprised we didn't get a penalty from the free-kick that hits the man in the wall. His arm's out of its normal position as I'm told and that's the way it's meant to be.

"Andre Gray goes clear on goal and I'm really surprised - I think there's every chance that's a sending off, but it doesn't get given.

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"That's just the reality of the Premier League. We are what we are - we know what we've got to continue to work on; you don't magic results up - it's hard making chances in the Premier League.

"Sometimes you don't get what you deserved and I don't think we got what we deserved today."

Dyche started with a new-look strikeforce at the Bet365, in the shape of Ashley Barnes and the returning Andre Gray and despite fruitless attempts at forcing at least a consolation goal, he was pleased with the effort shown by the pair.

"Everyone knows that I like to play with two strikers usually, but we have flexed that a little bit this season. We want to do things differently away from home because we aren't getting results, so we have to change it.

"I was really encouraged by the performance today. Whether we win or lose, that's my team playing well and going to win football matches."

Nonetheless, he refused to be drawn into the debate surrounding Barnes' elbow on Bruno Martins Indi, adding: "Gamesmanship in the Premier League is at an all-time high - I've never seen anything like it. Most teams doing a lot better than us, whether they are killing the game with an injury or kicking the ball out of play.

"That's part of our development to learn these tricks of the trade; I thought Stoke handled that very well today by doing that.

"The whole intent for today was to get back to what we are away from home like we have been at home. Play on the front foot, want to attack teams and want to be strong in our performances, with our energy, but also mix that with good play and quality. I thought the mix was very good today."