Ben Guest
Sean Dyche has defended Ashley Barnes after the striker was booked for diving, as well as revealing what Peter Crouch will bring to the club after his deadline day arrival from Stoke.
Burnley salvaged a point through a 94th minute spot kick by English striker Barnes, who had squandered a number of chances to score as well as getting booked in the first half for simulation.
However, Burnley boss Sean Dyche defended the striker saying that he had ‘no other choice’ but to go down in the box under a challenge from Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.
“We have had two games with big decisions go against us. Had we come away with nothing today you’d struggle to believe what was going on. The first decision baffles me,” Dyche told Match of the Day.
“I am outspoken when people go down too easy. Ashley Barnes had no other choice as the keeper takes the legs away and yet Ashley comes away with a booking.
“But we just kept knocking at the door. We were relentless in our attitude again and that is coming back into our play at speed. The least we deserved was a point.
“I can’t be any more clear in my idea. That first one was just a plain, simple penalty. I will be amazed if strikers in the studio say it wasn’t a penalty.”
Speaking about the stoppage time equaliser, Dyche credited Barnes for keeping cool at the vital moment.
“What a calm penalty Barnes took at the end of the game. He stayed calm and that’s a good quality,” Dyche added.
“I thought our level was very good today. They had a couple of chances and score from distance. We have had scrambles, hit the bar, had a penalty not given and then get one to get something from the game.
“In the calmness of tomorrow morning I’ll ask how we didn’t get all three. Now we have to keep it going.”
Having made a deadline day move from Stoke City earlier this week, Dyche handed a debut to striker Peter Crouch, bringing the 38-year-old on as a second-half substitute, and he revealed what he will bring to the squad during his six months with the Clarets.
“Crouch can play, he knows the game and can adapt. And he causes confusion. The ball goes into the box and people are wondering who is doing what. We think he will be good around the group as well and that’s part of it.”