MX23RW : Friday, May 14 04:04:11| >> :120:40185:40185:

Sean Dyche interested to see how fans respond to stadium return

Sean Dyche interested to see how fans respond to stadium return
© Reuters
Up to 10,000 spectators are set be allowed in grounds for the final two rounds of the Premier League season.

Sean Dyche will be interested to see how fans react to returning to stadiums over the coming months but the Burnley boss suspects there will be an initial period of goodwill towards clubs, such is the "real thirst" for supporters to come back.

Providing the UK Government goes ahead with the next step of the planned easing of coronavirus restrictions on May 17, up to 10,000 spectators will be able to attend matches in the final two rounds of the Premier League campaign.

Dyche has welcomed the prospect and, with league chiefs speaking openly about the ambition for grounds to operate at full capacity next season, the Clarets managers will be a keen observer at how supporters will react to being back.

"At certain grounds and certain situations: managers, teams and players, as the season progresses there can be a negativity if a team or players are not doing well," Dyche said.

"I'll be intrigued to know if that gets over-ridden for a while, where fans are just so delighted to be watching their team, they might find that energy, love and positivity for it all and think 'I'm just happy to be back'.

"I don't know how long that will last because it's a very fickle industry that we're in. There's a real thirst for fans to be back in stadiums so that will be interesting how they respond to it, literally."

If the next steps of easing restrictions get given the green light, Burnley can open their gates to some fans for the first time since March last year when they welcome Liverpool on May 19 – their final home game of the season.

"Fans in theory, if it all goes well, can come back into stadiums and hopefully we'll be in a position to unfortunately write the year off and move forward," Dyche said.

"It's been a tough year for everyone and now it's about 'can we come out of it and move forward?' To see football fans in a ground in my world and the football world be a really good sign of things getting back to normal."

Burnley are on the brink of safety and would secure their top-flight status with a victory on Monday night at relegation-threatened Fulham, who sit nine points behind Dyche's side with four games of the season remaining.

Dyche, who revealed Chris Wood will be available for the trip to Craven Cottage after a dead leg forced the striker off in Monday's defeat against West Ham, insisted their mindset is not shaped by what is on the line for his team.

"The mentality is to try and win every game," he added. "No matter what team we've put out, we always go out with the intention of winning and the next one comes around with Fulham.

"Our job is to play well ourselves, that's what we focus on. Fulham have had a topsy-turvy season, it's not easy finding your way.

"Getting on the right side of those big moments when you need them is one of the keys, that's their challenge. We've got our own challenge which is to win the next game."

ID:446271: cacheID:446271:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4166:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Bournemouth's Aaron Ramsdale reacts on January 21, 2020
Read Next:
Burnley considering Ramsdale as Pope replacement?
>
Read more about Sean Dyche Football

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City35255572264680
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd362010670422870
3Leicester CityLeicester362061065442166
4Chelsea361810855332264
5Liverpool35179961412060
6West Ham UnitedWest Ham351771155451058
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs351681161412056
8Everton35168114642456
9Arsenal361671350381255
10Leeds UnitedLeeds35155155353050
11Aston Villa35147144941849
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35129143547-1245
13Crystal Palace35118163759-2241
14Southampton35117174462-1840
15Burnley35109163347-1439
16Newcastle UnitedNewcastle35109164058-1839
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton35813143641-537
RFulham35512182547-2227
RWest Bromwich AlbionWest Brom35511193268-3626
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3552281862-4417

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!