Clarets captain Robbie Blake has hailed the unique team spirit that's propelled them up the table.

Burnley go to Coca Cola Championship leaders Reading on Saturday with confidence soaring following Tuesday's 1-0 victory over Cardiff.

The win, courtesy of Richard Chaplow's late strike, made it six games unbeaten in September and sent them into ninth position.

And Blake reckons the fact that they are operating with such a small squad has increased the togetherness in the Burnley camp.

He said: "Having a small squad means everyone plays every week so you've got 14 lads pulling together and wanting to do well for each other.

"I think that's shown with the start we've had and looking at the league we're probably a bit unlucky not to have a few more points on the table.

"Against Stoke we were disappointed after being 2-0 up after 20 minutes, but with them getting an early goal in the second half we had to stick together.

"We did that so we were happy with a point in the end and three points against Cardiff makes it even better.

"With such a short squad you're playing 90 minutes of every game. You look at the teams at the top and they've got big squads so can change things after 60 minutes.

"But from a player's point of view you want to play in every game you can."

With the Cardiff clean sheet being their fourth in five games, Burnley have the second best defensive record in the division with only seven goals conceded.

It's the reason why Blake feels the players will have no fear when they face the high-flying Royals.

"The change from last season to this season is we're going into games thinking that if we nick a goal we've got every chance of winning," said Blake. "So that's a good bonus for us.

"We're delighted with the unbeaten run and it doesn't matter if it's a draw or three points, it breeds confidence."

With manager Steve Cotterill admitting that the Clarets' energy levels were fading on Tuesday, the players will welcome the fortnight's break that follows Saturday.

Blake added: "It will nice to get the game out of the way but we will be going there with the confidence to get a result.

"Then we'll have 14 days until the next game and that will give us a nice break to re-charge the batteries and go again."