Sean Dyche has claimed that Burnley can still improve on this season's finish, but admits that it will be a lot more difficult to break into the top seven next time around.
The Clarets look certain to finish in at least seventh place following Saturday's 2-1 win over Leicester City, leaving them nine points ahead of their closest rivals with five games to go.
Burnley's reward for a top-six finish is likely to be a place in next season's Europa League, unless Southampton pull off a big shock by winning the FA Cup, and Dyche hopes that there is still more to come from his side.
"I think there are lots of different ways to move this club forward. But I'm not naive - you're judged on what goes on on the pitch," he told ESPN. "Equally, it is very, very difficult to break into that top six or even the top seven. I'd be surprised if Everton don't continue to invest. They've had a bit of an anomaly season, so they'll be stronger going forward.
"Some other teams have had a strange season and they may also be stronger going forwards, so we don't take anything for granted. But there is a way that you can move clubs forward. It is not just with results, although I know that getting those is my job, but there is lots more scope to move forward.
"There has to be flexibility because I'd be lying to you if I said, five-and-a-half years ago, we'd be having this conversation about being in Europe and being in the Premier League for a fourth out of five seasons, after having two promotions.
"I never said it, but did I think we could improve the club five and a half seasons ago? Yes. Did I envisage that we could move the club forward? Yes. Although to what level, was undecided. It's a similar situation now."
Burnley could yet finish in sixth place, as Arsenal directly above them are only two points better off.
Daniel Lewis
