Rough seas do make good sailors

Last updated : 26 April 2013 By Tony Scholes

Saunders' needs are that bit greater. They currently have 51 points and Saunders said today: "I don't think I need to say much to them (players) now. It's a difficult situation, but they all realise the consequences for both the club and their own careers.

"The big players now have to stand up. There are certain occasions in your career that you look back on and think 'we really needed a win that day' and this is one of those.

"Everybody's got to turn up. We can't have anyone leaving anything in the dressing room and we've got to put a performance in. We've got to the point now where we're level on points with two teams with two games left, and if we win those two games, I don't think we'll have a problem."

Saunders continued: "I thought we were the better team against Charlton. We were solid and they didn't have a chance. Then we concede a Sunday morning goal like their first one, as scuffed corner into the near post, and we go 1-0 down.

"We've managed to get back in the game straight away and I thought at 1-1 we'd go on and win. Then they've got one in the last minute when the ball has deflected off Jack's face into their lad's path."

He added: "The pressure that the players are under is normal if you're at a big club. It's just that now we are facing it at the other end of the table. There are all sorts of other issues when you're down there."

Burnley have had a very poor run of form and results since January but Dyche insists they will be better for the challenges they've faced. "It's about growth as a character," he said.

"Some of these players will be experiencing the ups and downs of the Championship for the first time, so it's part of their growth. Anyone can take the wheel of a ship in calm water. It's not so easy in rough seas, but rough seas do make good sailors.

"That's how it is and we have some young players who are learning, and they will from this. Of course we didn't want that situation, but it comes your way and you have to deal with it.

"Within that, you also have to play with that freedom that makes a difference. Often the players on their journey to the top of a game allow themselves the freedom to do that. Manchester United travel around the country and get hammered at every ground they are at for being Manchester United but they deliver.

"They have to be glued together to deliver performance and it's the same whether you are top, middle or bottom.

"There is no short cut to gaining experience unfortunately and the players have to gather it as they go. It's been a good time for that, but obviously we have to be productive in the next two games to make sure the good experiences are used to build the future."

Dyche admits to being surprised at the situation Wolves find themselves in. "I think everyone is surprised given the group they have got," he said.

"The whole league will be surprised, but I don't think they are the only ones. Blackburn have had a tough run, Ipswich had to claw their way back up and these are big clubs with huge budgets and big playing rosters.

"As for us, we just want to go and give a good account of ourselves at Wolves. The media will be looking at them with their situation and Dean (Saunders) has come out and said he thinks they need to win both games.

"We think about ourselves and it's appropriate to finish as strong as we can. Wolves have to come at us. They have no choice. There is a bigger demand on them but that doesn't mean we haven't got our own demands so we will certainly be going there to win the game."