WHEN it is put to Sean Dyche that Manchester City have been ‘fairly flexible’ with their formations this season, the Clarets chief baulks at the idea.

‘Fairly’ doesn’t quite do justice to the way Pep Guardiola has got his side moving from four at the back to three at the back to two at the back, and back again, with players popping up in positions they may never have previously found themselves before the Catalan took charge at the Etihad.

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It’s a daunting prospect to try and conquer Guardiola’s City, but it’s one Dyche will relish, and although he will make his players aware of what City can do, he knows springing another upset on the blue half of Manchester will begin with his side’s own performance.

“You’ve got to try and make the players aware somewhat, but they’re not stupid, they know this is the elite end of the market,” he said.

“It’s about what we do, our format and delivering performance. We’ve performed well this season against some powerful sides.”

Few are more powerful, in terms of playing and coaching staff, than City, even if they have slowed a touch since their electric start to the season when they won the first 10 games under Guardiola’s command.

So just how can Burnley beat them?

“You have to play well, them to maybe have a quiet one,” said Dyche. “The referee to maybe give you something that is a close one, the crowd to get behind you, the rub of the green, you need all of them things, and your players to play well.

“They are in a different world to us, on and off the pitch.”

Some of City’s systems under Guardiola this season have brought new ideas to the Premier League, but Dyche believes that is easier to achieve with players at the very highest level, especially when they are sharp of mind as well as sharp of feet.

“It’s different in the amount of times they change the shape. That’s a change and the players understanding of how to change shape, but they are top players,” he said.

“I always say in the Premier League you think it’s just technical, it’s not, they are sharper here [points to head].

“They see it quicker, they operate quicker, and you’ve got the real elite end of the market like they have, if you put that onto the pitch with good coaching and management which they’ve got with Guardiola, it’s going to be decent, at worst, and on their good days, ultra strong.”

But upsetting City is nothing new to Burnley. In two Premier League trips to the Etihad they have claimed 3-3 and 2-2 draws, while the Clarets beat the then defending champions at Turf Moor two years ago.

Dyche admits City had an off day on that occasion, but knows his side played well and fought for the right to compete with the champions.

“The one away we were 2-0 down at half-time and everyone thought this is going to roll on, but it didn’t,” he said. “That’s the beauty of football, that’s why we all love it. Surprises happen. Why do they occur? For lots of different reasons.

“We know we need some of that on our side but the minimum you have to do is at least play well, you won’t have a chance if you don’t play well.”