ASSISTANT boss Sam Ellis has called on the Clarets players to reproduce the style that saw them beat First Division champions-elect Fulham.

Tonight's opponents Watford actually headed Jean Tigana's title favourites after an outstanding start to the season.

And while the Hornets have slipped to seventh in the table, Ellis admits that Burnley can't afford to be below par if they are to have any chance of victory.

He said: "It was a good performance against Fulham and it's obviously something we would like to do in every game.

"I suppose you could say you should be prepared to play that way in every game. Well, we think we are, but circumstances haven't enabled us to at the present time and maybe that's what getting used to this league might be about -- getting a high level of performance every game.

"If you hit anything below a good level then you're in trouble, whereas in the league below you could scrape through."

Burnley have lost three of their last four away games but stopped the rot at Stockport in a goalless draw last Tuesday night and Ellis is looking to build on that result.

He added: "We dug in at Stockport and if we had applied ourselves like that at Portsmouth we wouldn't have got beaten, and that's a good base to start from.

"The players listened to what was asked of them and did it and if we do it at Watford again tonight then we'll have a good chance."

The Clarets haven't won on their travels since October and Ellis feels it's time for their fortunes to change after a couple of single-goal defeats.

"Sometimes it goes for you and sometimes it doesn't and you've got to keep trying and pegging away until it does.

"We think we prepare the same for every game, we're sure the players' attitudes are right and their minds are positive. Sometimes it just happens like that," he said.