Following on from the previous Saturday’s lame capitulation against a well-organised but not particularly special Reading side, the very least the Burnley supporters who travelled to Villa Park and Loftus Road could have expected was a much improved performance from the players.

Happily, that’s what they got.

While being dumped out of the Carling Cup is hardly anything to crow about, there are ways of exiting competitions.

Going toe-to-toe away to a Premier League side with European aspirations and taking them to extra time in the process only to be undone by a wonder-strike, is one way of ensuring that you leave with dignity, honour and pride intact.

Fast forward to Saturday and Loftus Road where received wisdom had it that the Clarets would be on the end of a two or three goal loss.

And when an illness swept through the ranks and forced Brian Laws to name a much-changed team, the signs did not look particularly encouraging.

Yet not only did the re-jigged Burnley line-up hold their own, becoming the first team to score past goalkeeper Paddy Kenny in a home Championship game this season, they could quite easily have taken all three points with Jay Rodriguez and Chris Iwelumo – still, worryingly, without an away goal – passing up presentable opportunities.

No single factor was the difference between the lackadaisical perform-ance against Reading and the much-improved ones at Villa and QPR.

But there was one vital quality that was absent at Turf Moor but present at both Villa Park and Loftus Road – leadership. Graham Alexander may be closer to a free bus pass than free school milk, and his performances have been up and down this season.

Yet there is no escaping the fact this most seasoned of pros brings control and influence and gets the best out of those around him.

Much the same can be said for Clarke Carlisle. Though not quite as vocal as his Scottish team-mate, his command and authority are evident for all to see. The Clarets are still handily placed.

On the road, no-one has drawn more games than Burnley.

Yet the Clarets are one of only three teams without an away win.

It’s no easy ask, but Norwich would be as good a place as any to break the away-day hoodoo.