Burnley boss Sean Dyche shrugs off exit talk after win over Watford
The Clarets ground out a 1-0 win at home to Watford to climb to 11th in the table, effectively safe on 42 points - only two points adrift of Sheffield United in eighth, which could be a European slot.
There has been tension between Dyche and chairman Mike Garlick over the contractual situations which saw Jeff Hendrick leave the club, and Phil Bardsley sign a new deal three days after effectively being released.
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Hide AdBut the players, beaten 5-0 at Manchester City on Monday night, showed the speculation hadn't affected them, as Jay Rodrigfuez's 50th goal for the club claimed the points.
Asked about his relationship with Garlick, Dyche said: "I always have open lines of communication with the chairman and the board, I think that is important.
"It can't always be beautiful communication, lovely communication.
"It's a business. Sometimes you have to question what you think could be done. "In the end I can't actually activate these things. I can only give good advice, which I thought we have done. But we park it and move forward.
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Hide Ad"It is parked and you saw a team putting in their lot and you saw a manager putting in his lot.
"If I'm questioning the board every seven years, if I was a board member I'd be quite happy with that, I'd think fair play!"
And as he has said at numerous stages of his Burnley reign, he is still here, despite all the rumours: "The challenge of managing Burnley Football Club has been there all the time I have been here. It is always a challenge in varying ways, I enjoy the challenge.
"I have always said that at some point down the line, one party wants the other one gone, or another party comes in - that is not to do with this moment.
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Hide Ad"I have been saying that for certainly six of seven and a half years when I have been linked with various situations and I am still here.
"I am out there working hard with this group of players to get results for them, for me and the club."
Many fans spent the day with real concerns on social media, and Dyche added: "I have a bigger picture to worry about than me, there has been a lot going on this week. the club and the players are more important than me.
"I will get on with my job with the players and on behalf of the football club and that is the way it is."