LAST weekend, Burnley had the chance to claim a top four spot in the Premier League, but slightly closer to home, David Flitcroft says he is trying to replicate the environment former mentor Sean Dyche has created at Turf Moor.

The Swindon Town chief, who studied under Dyche after he was relieved of his duties as Barnsley manager, says the 46-year-old has installed a winning mentality into his side, who are seventh in England’s top tier.

Flitcroft inherited the bare bones of a squad when he arrived at the Energy Check County Ground in the summer and since then, he has spent a vast amount of time trying to change the surroundings around the club.

“Changing a culture takes time, changing an environment takes time and you are never the finished article,” Flitcroft said.

“I think one of the best environments and cultures currently is Burnley - Sean has been there for almost four years now.

“I was there four years ago when I got released from Barnsley. I went to do some studying with Sean and what he’s created there is phenomenal.

“He’s brought a winning mentality into their training, an honesty and a sincerity into their work.

“There are no bad apples or bad eggs, he has absolutely turned that club on its head. He’s instilled fantastic discipline and values into a football club.

“The club want those disciplines and values, they’re a hard-working town that really do thrive on Sean Dyche’s team.

“It’s something I am trying to do, I have found myself in a hard-working town and I want to instil that on a daily basis.”

After recruiting a total of 18 fresh faces to the County Ground, Flitcroft also admits it has been interesting to watch the group settle and gel as a team.

Only Luke Norris, Lawrence Vigouroux, Tom Smith, Ellis Iandolo, Will Henry, James Brophy, John Goddard and Dion Conroy survived the cull after being relegated from League One.

“I think the biggest thing that I have learned, being down here, is how you see the personalities come out in a group of 15 or 16 players,” he added. “This is the first time I have rebuilt a team, to bring the whole thing together and see where the lads from last season fit in the dynamic.

“Back to when I played, you went into a dressing room and you either become a leader or a follower, so it has been brilliant to see everybody shuffle for their positions.”

Meanwhile, Town will host Forest Green Rovers in the second round of the Checkatrade Trophy next Tuesday after topping their group.

Wycombe Wanderers’ 2-0 win over West Ham United U21s saw Town finish at the top of Southern Group C on goal difference and earn a home tie against the Gloucestershire outfit, bossed by former Town manager Mark Cooper.

The match will take place next Tuesday (7.45pm).LAST weekend, Burnley had the chance to claim a top four spot in the Premier League, but slightly closer to home, David Flitcroft says he is trying to replicate the environment former mentor Sean Dyche has created at Turf Moor.

The Swindon Town chief, who studied under Dyche after he was relieved of his duties as Barnsley manager, says the 46-year-old has installed a winning mentality into his side, who are seventh in England’s top tier.

Flitcroft inherited the bare bones of a squad when he arrived at the Energy Check County Ground in the summer and since then, he has spent a vast amount of time trying to change the surroundings around the club.

“Changing a culture takes time, changing an environment takes time and you are never the finished article,” Flitcroft said.

“I think one of the best environments and cultures currently is Burnley - Sean has been there for almost four years now.

“I was there four years ago when I got released from Barnsley. I went to do some studying with Sean and what he’s created there is phenomenal.

“He’s brought a winning mentality into their training, an honesty and a sincerity into their work.

“There are no bad apples or bad eggs, he has absolutely turned that club on its head. He’s instilled fantastic discipline and values into a football club.

“The club want those disciplines and values, they’re a hard-working town that really do thrive on Sean Dyche’s team.

“It’s something I am trying to do, I have found myself in a hard-working town and I want to instil that on a daily basis.”

After recruiting a total of 18 fresh faces to the County Ground, Flitcroft also admits it has been interesting to watch the group settle and gel as a team.

Only Luke Norris, Lawrence Vigouroux, Tom Smith, Ellis Iandolo, Will Henry, James Brophy, John Goddard and Dion Conroy survived the cull after being relegated from League One.

“I think the biggest thing that I have learned, being down here, is how you see the personalities come out in a group of 15 or 16 players,” he added. “This is the first time I have rebuilt a team, to bring the whole thing together and see where the lads from last season fit in the dynamic.

“Back to when I played, you went into a dressing room and you either become a leader or a follower, so it has been brilliant to see everybody shuffle for their positions.”