BURNLEY boss Sean Dyche believes his side have moved up a gear from last season in the opening weeks of the new campaign.

The new Premier League season has, so far, left Burnley with four points after beating Southampton 3-0 at Turf Moor on the opening day and then drawing 1-1 at Wolves a couple of weeks later, the Clarets having chances to kill the game off before Raul Jimenez equalised with a last minute penalty at Molineux.

In between picking up those points, the Clarets lost 2-1 to Europa League finalists Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium before going down 3-0 at home to European Champions Liverpool last time out.

Dyche’s side pushed Arsenal all the way and could have nicked a point out of the game, while the match against Jurgen Klopp’s side was in the balance for the first half an hour until the Reds took the lead through a Trent Alexander-Arnold deflected cross and seized control of the match.

Despite plenty of positives, the Clarets boss’ only grumble is that his side don’t have more points on the board.

“We’re pleased with the first part of the season. There’s a different look and feel to us,” he said.

“Compared to last season we have improved and I think we are probably a little bit aggrieved that we haven’t got more points in the table.

“There was a contentious penalty at Wolves, when we probably deserved all three points, and arguably on another day we could have got something at Arsenal.

“It’s more about the belief in the group because the fitness is excellent, but the mentality has been good and some of the performances have been good.

“There are some good signs and, overall, we are happy.

“Overall I think we could have nicked a point at Arsenal, similar in a way to Liverpool with a couple of turnovers and mistakes.

“At Wolves there was a contentious penalty and we could have seen it through with the chances we created.

“There is a lot to be pleased about. These are hard sides to pick up points against.

“There is a lot to be pleased with - the mentality and the fitness levels, the details we still look at.

“So we go into the break in good mental and physical shape and we will keep trying to learn.”

In some respects the Clarets have picked up from where they left off in a strong first half of 2019 in the closing period of last season.

Ashley Barnes has been a key factor in how Burnley have started as the striker has scored four in four, leading to some calls for England recognition from Gareth Southgate.

That wasn’t to be and he remains with the rest of the squad during the international break, Dyche having been impressed by the ‘edge’ shown by his side, something epitomised by Barnes.

“There is energy throughout the side and I’ve talked about the fire in the eyes,” the Clarets boss told the club website.

“Well, now there is that edge to how we are going about our business.

“I thought that was on show again against Liverpool, but unfortunately teams like that can hurt you and they did.

“Now it’s about continuing and learning from these things.”

September sees Burnley go up against three of the Premier League’s current bottom five as they travel to Brighton, host newcomers Norwich City and then travel to Aston Villa.

First up is the Amex Stadium on September 14.