Saturday's 3-3 draw against Cardiff at Turf Moor showed the Clarets' Jekyll and Hyde nature, crafting delightful goals, only to shoot themselves in the foot, and Coyle said: "There are a lot of positives we can take, but equally we know what we've got to work on in the close season, where we need to get better, and I think we can do that and continue the progress.

"When we play at pace and pass and move the ball about, I think we're getting known for that type of football.

"It's fine to be known for that, but we have to make sure we show a real mental strength and character at the back and we give them very little.

"We scored three terrific goals and I felt we had other opportunities in the game.

"The goalkeeper produced save after save, but that's what he's there to do I suppose, and that's why they're in the FA Cup final because they've all played their part."

Only relegated Colchester have won fewer home games this season, but Coyle points to improved Turf Moor form since the turn of the year: "We've lost two home games since January, but maybe we've not got as many points as our performances have merited.

"It is a game that we've drawn and should have won, so that's something, as I've said before, we want to improve on.

"We know we can win games away from home in this Championship, but you want to make sure people are coming to Burnley and they're wary because we're a formidable side at home.

"I think the performances for most of the time have been of a decent standard.

"Individual mistakes have cost us, not the performance in terms of the whole game. That's something we can improve on, and we know that.

"They've got a terrific work ethic about them, that spirit and that desire, but there is room for improvement."

The players, despite the disappointment at missing out on the play-offs, enjoyed a lap of honour after the game, and Coyle was delighted with the fans' reaction: "The supporters have been great since I came in.

"They've stayed behind there, so we're looking to embrace that and take it on, because we're all in this together.

"We realise we're not the biggest club in Championship, but in terms of population that numbers that come out and support us are fantastic.

"With the type of football that we're playing, I think we can entice and encourage people to come along and make us even more vocal, and make sure that this is something of a a fortress, and anything that anybody's going to get here, they're going to have to earn it, and we're not gifting goals as we did."

Another bonus was the first team debut of second year apprentice Alex MacDonald, the 18-year-old replacing Wade Elliott with just over 10 minutes remaining, and claiming an assist, heading on Robbie Blake's corner for Clarke Carlisle to score.

Coyle said: "Alex came on and a couple of things nearly fell to him early on. I still think, as much as we've played him wide, because Ade and Andrew were doing well, he will play through the middle eventually.

"But it's just great to get one of your own, someone the supporters can identify with, on the pitch, and he did himself no harm at all.

"He was obviously nervous, but he's a kid we like, he's got a lovely nature about him and we hope he'll go on and do very well."