SO far, so good.

By Saturday night it could be better still for Burnley.

But true to form, Sean Dyche does not flinch at the suggestion that his Clarets – 11 points clear in the second automatic promotion spot – could this weekend guarantee a place in the Premier League next season.

“The players have done very well so far. There’s still a long way to go. We’ve got another big game coming up and that’s what our focus is,” he says, probably without even blinking.

How can he be so pragmatic, and keep his players in that frame of mind amid all the euphoria?

“As a player I was never too high with the highs or too low with the lows,” he added.

“We’ve had plenty of highs and we have to deal with that. We’ve dealt with them very well so far and it’s important we deal with them going forward after another big result against Barnsley, and another good result.

“It’s an ongoing process to keep developing and keep pushing. It doesn't just sit still.

“Football moves forward and you’ve got to make sure you are top of everything you do in order to get what you want.”

Having taken the season “one game at a time” there is no chance of his being sidetracked by thoughts of trips to the Etihad, the Emirates, Old Trafford or Anfield next season.

“The focus is on the game, a good side in Middlesbrough coming. They’re probably a surprise they’ve had the ups and downs.

“They’ve put three wins together so I see a stern test, and it just shows the madness of the Championship that they’ve done that and they've suddenly got an outside chance of the play-offs and they’d won one in their previous 12 I think,” said Dyche, mindful that Boro will fancy the prospect of being the only remaining team capable of doing the double over Burnley this season.

“Our focus is on that challenge, and it’s sure to be a challenge.

“As for anything else, if you get the performance level right, get the result right, you're a magnet to what good comes out of that.”

His only expectation is from supporters.

“I’m expecting the full backing of the people of Burnley that we have had. The other night at Barnsley was exceptional I thought, throughout the game,” he said of the vocal near 3,500 following “It was absolutely outstanding and a joy to be part of, and we look for that to continue at home.”