WADE Elliott has hailed the impact of Owen Coyle as the Burnley manager today celebrates his first year anniversary in the Turf Moor hot-seat.

Ahead of this afternoon’s Championship fixture against lowly Doncaster Rovers, the Clarets winger insists Coyle has ‘set the tone’ for the club’s success since taking charge on November 22 last year.

The Scot’s managerial reputation has rocketed since crossing the border and replacing former Burnley boss Steve Cotterill 12 months ago.

Under his stewardship this season, the Clarets have romped to fourth in the table and sensationally dumped out Fulham and Chelsea in the Carling Cup.

Coupled with Burnley’s results - losing just one of their last 18 league and cup games - his side’s stylish brand of attacking football has won plaudits up and down the land.

As one of the club’s most adventurous players, Elliott has benefited from Coyle’s enterprising philosophy, and the flying winger has nothing but admiration for his boss.

“The manager has set the tone for us – for the whole group,” said the 29-year-old.

“He’s totally relaxed, trusts his players 100 per cent and lets us go out and express ourselves.

“He’s quite a genial character, really thoughtful, and a genuine football person. Deep down, we all recognise that he’s fiercely ambitious and very steely.

“I’m sure it is his goal to manage in the Premier League. Just like the players, it’s probably his dream to mix it with the best week in, week out.

“He’s just got that will to win and it spreads to the rest of us.

“Every manager has had an influence on me and I would like to think I’ve learned from all of them and improved as I’ve gone along.

“But I’m really enjoying working with the gaffer, he’s really helped me and improved me as a player.”

In his first private meeting with Coyle 12 months ago, Elliott was immediately struck by the former Republic of Ireland and Bolton striker’s attacking mentality.

And the former Bournemouth man is delighted that, in a sport where teams are too often set up to contain and frustrate in a bid for results, Coyle has stuck to his principles.

“Of course, we always need to be organised and disclipined, and there’s games where we’ll have to knuckle down and dig out a result,” said Elliott.

“But the Chelsea result was testament to the gaffer and how he wants to play.

“Not many teams have gone to Stamford Bridge and played a 4-4-2, with four midfield players that like to get forward. You need a certain trust in your players to do that.

“Since the gaffer has been here, we’ve always tried to play football.

“In the first conversation I had with him, he told to me go out there, express myself and make things happen in the final third.

“He said: ‘If it does not come off, that’s not a problem’. He just gives me the licence to play.

“He wants to see his teams knocking it down and play attractive, expansive football – just good football really.

“That’s what he preaches day in, day out.”

The Clarets are on course to maintain their promotion challenge with victory over rock-bottom Doncaster at Turf Moor this afternoon.

But despite the club’s stunning run of form, that has led to suggestions that Burnley are serious promotion contenders, Elliott is adamant that Coyle will keep everybody’s feet on the ground.

He added: “The gaffer has been around long enough not to get carried away.

“We’re in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup, and we’re all quietely pleased with the way things have gone. It’s just nice to have that momentum.

“But we’re not going to be brash about things. The lads are aware of what will happen if we step off.”