Wednesday 14 January 2015 07:44, UK
Sean Dyche thinks "shining lights" like Danny Ings and Harry Kane are under-appreciated compared to their foreign counterparts playing in the Premier League.
The Burnley boss was left bemused by the reaction to individual goals from Scott Arfield and Ings last weekend that earned the Clarets a 2-1 victory over QPR.
He said: "There's a thirst for British, English talent to do well and yet I thought it was quite ironic on Saturday that apparently it was poor defending for the two goals. I'm very surprised that doesn't turn into a very positive situation.
"If it was Spanish, Italian or French players, I think that would have been a different view.
"It seems to me that if a British player does something, the reaction is, 'oh yeah, decent', whereas someone brought from other shores for a big fee it's, 'look at that, isn't it amazing'.
"There's a balance to it. But I think it's good these young British players are playing in the Premier League, it is the way forward as regards the national systems because it's the highest level they can play at, and the demand is very high.
"We're experiencing it, and at every level it's very high, which is usually when you learn the most."
Ings, 22, has scored six goals in his maiden Premier League campaign while 21-year-old Kane has been a revelation in his first full season in Tottenham's first team and has already racked up 17 goals in all competitions.
Former Burnley striker Charlie Austin has been banging the goals in for QPR and West Brom's Saido Berahino is also in the Premier League's top-five scorers this season.
All four have been mentioned in the England reckoning, with Berahino earning his first call-up to the senior squad in November.
With such resources available, Dyche would like to see less negativity, saying: "I think we're all guilty of it at some point.
Just because Harry Kane hasn't been brought in for £50m, it doesn't mean he's not a good player.
"We've all kind of been brainwashed by it, that we're not as strong nationally. We've just got to be careful, to think, hang on a minute, where are we really at? Where can it go to? What are we doing about it?
"Harry Kane's another one who's banging goals in. We keep moaning about our national side, and then there's a million questions about all these development plans.
"Then when we get some little shining lights here and there, it's sort of like, 'oh well', and then we go back to grumbling.
"When there's some shining lights, at least enjoy it and encourage it, because they are the pathway for little Jonny who's seven playing in the park, saying, 'I want to be Harry Kane'. If you don't promote them, they're not going to go towards them.
"Just because Harry Kane hasn't been brought in for £50m, it doesn't mean he's not a good player. Equally I'm not saying they're ready for the national team, but there's some good little shining lights."
Ings and Kane could come up against each other when Burnley travel to White Hart Lane on Wednesday for their FA Cup third-round replay, although the latter might well be rested.
Dyche is planning to field his strongest available team but has a doubt over captain Jason Shackell, who is still feeling the effects of a calf problem.
