ARE we having fun yet? No, I thought not. Saturday's pathetic capitulation to the seventh worst side in Division One has meant that another week of worry lies in store for the Clarets faithful.

A win against Grimsby might not have cemented a play-off spot, but it would at least have meant that Burnley's destiny remained firmly in their own hands.

As it is, Turf Moor on Sunday will be an anxious place, with transistors pressed against ears awaiting news from Millwall, Birmingham, Norwich and Preston.

Not that it should ever have come to this.

The common consensus is that the Clarets have never recovered from their Maine Road mauling in late December. Since then, Burnley have been on the ropes, amassing just 22 points and leaking goals at an alarming rate. We are hardly marching towards the play-offs in fine form.

But for all their difficulties, the Clarets remain sixth and go into their last scheduled game with a chance of staying there -- a scenario which most supporters would have been happy with last August. The big question is can they do it?

With three sides of the ground full, and nigh on 20,000 fans behind them, Burnley, although not exactly flying, should theoretically have enough to see off a Coventry side whose season is effectively over.

The worry is that victory may yet prove inadequate. Should Norwich's winning margin exceed Burnley's the game will be well and truly up. Disturbingly, Norwich are at home to Stockport who have shipped 100 goals this season, 56 of them away from home.

That is the worst-case scenario. On the other hand, the Clarets could lose and hold on to sixth spot should results go for us. And who is to say Birmingham will not slip up, in which case a point may be enough provided Norwich lose.

All this is, of course, mere speculation. But over the next six days these end games and scenarios will tease and torment the life out of Burnley fans. And that's without considering the nightmare that would see Preston leapfrog ourselves and Norwich to claim the final play-off berth.

All that remains is to sweat it out until Sunday and get behind the lads, as Ternent would put it "big style."

There is no time for negativity. All our energies must be directed towards helping Burnley grab that vital sixth spot. In the meantime, keep taking the tranquillisers and pray for an outbreak of flu at Norwich.