JAY Rodriguez believes the FA Cup win over Peterborough gives Burnley something to build up.

After three straight Premier League defeats, the frontman scored twice as the Clarets beat the League One side 4-2 to progress to round four.

The opposition may have been from two divisions below, but Rodriguez insists getting over the line was an important step for Sean Dyche’s side who now turn their attentions to the trip to Chelsea on Saturday.

“We needed to (react to the three defeats),” said the 30-year-old, who now has six goals this season.

“We stuck with our qualities and we showed them today and hopefully we can kick on from this.

"Aston Villa (the 2-1 home defeat on New Year’s Day) was disappointing but football is a quick game and you have got to move on. The Peterborough tie came up quickly and we had to focus on that game.

"We've got a strong mentality, a strong group of lads in the dressing room and I think it is really important so every single one of us keeps working hard and we keep going."

Rodriguez’s double, Erik Pieters and Jeff Hendrick also on target, saw him further press his claim for a regular starting spot having seen just eight of his 23 appearances since returning to the club come from the off.  

"It was good to get a start and some goals but it was important  to get the win as well. Peterborough are a good side and it was nice to get that winning feeling again,” he said.

"I always try my best, I keep my head down, keep working hard and hopefully take my chance when it comes along."

Burnley’s recent cup record has been up and down to say the least but the Clarets, showing eight changes from the Aston Villa defeat, secured their passage with relative ease on Saturday lunchtime.

“You never know with these games,” Rodriguez said.

“Obviously it is a cup tie and anything can happen. But I thought we showed real professionalism and played some good football. Credit to the lads really, we played a good game.

"Yes, we had Peterborough in front of us and we just had to get through to the next round, get that winning mentality back and it was good. 

“So I'm really chuffed for everyone and now we prepare ready for the game on Saturday."

The spot in the fourth round draw was all but sealed with a quarter of the game gone as the Clarets shot out of the blocks and into a 3-0 lead.

That came in stark contrast to the sluggish starts in recent Premier League outings, second half improvements the norm over Christmas and new year.

"It's important to do that (take the game to the opposition) and it came off today,” Rodriguez said.

“Peterborough are a good side and it was a good win. No matter what the competition is, you want to win as a team and I think that is really important."

"It's always nice to create chances and score goals. It is something we are working on and we will keep working on it."

This weekend’s trip to Chelsea is the start of a daunting run of games to kick off 2020, Leicester, Manchester United and Arsenal to follow in quick succession.

“It is going to be tough. But you go into those games and they are the ones you want to play in, you want to impose your game on them and if we do that we've got a good chance,” said Rodriguez.

“We've just got to keep working hard and being really focused and ready for Chelsea."