Struggling Burnley boss Sean Dyche issues surprise statement ahead of Brighton

The Clarets have picked up one point from their six matches so far, keeping just one clean sheet and scoring only three goals.

It may be a poor start but Dyche, who has managed Burnley in the top flight in six of the last seven seasons, is not overly concerned just yet.

“I never thought panic solves anything,” he said ahead of a trip to Brighton, themselves just four points ahead.

“Would I like to be up the league, quite obviously, but there are only two things that can happen: you either go sideways and stay where you are or you go upwards.

“I say ‘there’s the table, there’s the facts’. I’ve never been one to overthink it at this stage of the season because that has never proved anything at this stage.

“The main focus for me is you want to get that first win, psychologically it is good for the group.

“Ideally you want to get that through performance but you’ll take it however it comes. But you have to work to get that.

“The focus is on us to perform. I would take an ugly win or a lucky one but the ideal way is to earn the right to win games and if you do that it is a better base to continue on from.

“You get your first win and the story changes somewhat.”

Burnley have had plenty of experience of struggles in the top flight and Dyche has no doubts about the mentality of his players, many of whom have been through the trials and tribulations with him.

“I don’t personally worry too much about the outside view,” he added.

“We have a group who has experienced this and know what is required and it is about delivering it rather than waiting for it to happen.

“There is an open-mindedness from me within the group and I trust them to deliver.

“You can’t have six out of seven seasons in the Premier League and not know how that worked with a group who has been here for a while.”

Burnley were however handed an injury boost as Skipper Ben Mee could return having been out with a thigh problem since June.

Dyche said: "He (Mee) has a chance, he is feeling pretty good, certainly injury-free, he is good and he is clear."

Phil Bardsley is available having missed the last three games, after testing positive for coronavirus but Jack Cork and Erik Pieters are out.

Brighton are also struggling to pick up three points this season and have not won since their impressive 3-0 triumph at Newcastle. Is Potter's team getting closer to victory?

"We hope so because we know we are in this business to get results - that’s the most important thing.

"We’ve been in this position before, that’s what the Premier League can do to you. You can go along time between wins and I think it’s how you work then, how you react, how you stick together is so, so important.

"Sometimes in football you can’t control the result, that’s what makes the game so beautiful.

"But what you can do is try to focus on your performance and try to work hard to improve and to take the next step forward and that’s what we’re trying to do and we’ll try our best to try and take the three points but I’m sure our opponent will be trying to do the same as well.