THE short-term dream for any club promoted to the Premier League is establishing themselves as a top flight side for more than just a single season.

It is a challenge that the Clarets are currently battling with, but boss Sean Dyche admits they need look no further than tomorrow’s opponents Stoke City for an example of what can be achieved.

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Almost half of the teams going up from the Championship come straight back down (44 per cent since the start of the Premier League), and on average teams last just three a half seasons before being relegated.

Stoke are one of few sides to buck that trend. In five Premier League seasons since returning to the top flight in 2008/09 they have been a model of consistency, taking between 42 and 47 points every season and never finishing higher than 11th or lower 14th.

“The journey they were on under Tony (Pulis) was amazing when you look back at when he first got to that club and what it has become now,” said Dyche.

“Now Mark Hughes is taking it on in his own way.”

Dyche sees similarities between the size of the two clubs as Burnley look to prove they can cut it in the Premier League for more than a single season.

The Potters spent 23 seasons outside of English football’s elite before promotion in 2007/08.

They were in the third tier of English football as recently as 2001/02, but now are seen as an established Premier League club with a formidable home record.

“I played at Stoke many years ago,” said the Burnley boss.

“I know back in the day, many years ago, they were a big club, similar to Burnley, then they fell on some hard times.

“To see it now, the stadium, the fact they are recognised in the Premier League, is fantastic for Peter Coates (chairman), and Tony played a massive part in that.

“Now they have a different manager, a different way of working, and still proving to be a force in the Premier League.”

The Britannia Stadium has been a key factor in Stoke’s emergence in the top division.

They have lost just 27 of the 114 top flight games they’ve played their, winning 1.66 points per game at home, and it’s a place that has become noted as one of the Premier League’s toughest for visiting teams to go.

Dyche believes that the Premier League has simply shined a light on Stoke’s home support, and that it has always been one of the tougher places to go, even when they used to play at the Victoria Ground.

“Stoke has always been one of those places anyway,” added Dyche.

“There is certain grounds around the country and certain fan bases that have that a different feeling around them and there has always been a demand at Stoke, I don’t think that has changed, it’s just the numbers swell, the mentality has always been there.”

The challenge for Dyche and his side tomorrow is silencing that mentality, something that Aston Villa, Leicester and Southampton have already managed to do, with the Potters struggling at home so far this campaign.

“We make sure the players are aware of the opposition, the challenge that is right in front of us.” said Dyche.

“Our challenge is to go there, be brave and go win a football match. Their challenge is to beat a team who they are expected to beat.”