That is a big step forward and I am really pleased
Burnley brought all three points home from Deepdale after a 1-0 win against a tough Preston side with home boss Simon Grayson admitting that the game had been a lesson for his team.
“It was very similar to a lot of games we’ve been involved in this season,” Grayson said. “We’ve stayed in the game and we’ve defended really well. We’ve asked questions of the opposition but we just didn’t have that little bit of quality to work the goalkeeper at times.
“You can’t fault the effort of the players. You ask them to give everything which they do and Burnley know they’ve been in a game today like Middlesbrough did a few weeks ago as well. It’s a good learning curve for some of our younger players tonight. They (Burnley) are where they are for a reason. They’re a good side and well drilled.
“I’m disappointed with the result but proud of the effort of the players.”
Sean Dyche certainly wasn’t disappointed with the result and that was evident yet again to the travelling Clarets who saw him march over at the end of another away win. “Nothing is done, but that is a big step forward and I am really pleased,” he said.
“Obviously in the circumstances it’s a big win, but it was also a local derby and a lot is made of that in these parts. We had to see through all that and control our game and I thought we did that really well.
“There were so many good performances and everyone played their part. We showed a good mix and the only slight question is the scoreline wasn’t more because then it could have been a more comfortable night for everyone. I suspect they might have had more possession than us, but all the chances we created were of a different level.”
With Burnley going first this weekend, he added: “Everyone else can worry about their own business now. We’ll just focus on ourselves and the main thing for us will be re-evaluating this and making sense of it before moving forwards.
“We have a ten day break now, so we have a chance to rest. We’ve just had three games in six days and physically I felt the lads were outstanding. That’s 18 clean sheets now and we’re top scorers in the division, so that’s a healthy mixture.”
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