THE league table might suggest that anxiety is setting in for the Clarets with six games to go.

Normally 13th place at this stage of the season would suggest stability, with an eye on next term.

The points tally, however, tells a different story. With only four points separating Burnley from 22nd place, it is proving to be arguably the most competitive Championship finale on record.

You won’t find anyone at Turf Moor resting on their laurels though, least of all manager Sean Dyche.

“Put it this way, calm seas don’t make good sailors,” said the Burnley boss.

“I’m in a brilliant learning place at the minute so I use these times wisely and think them through.

“Some find it stressful, for me it’s always intrigue and interest.

“The only stress for me is making sure the team are ready and prepared and mentally to go and win the next game. But when you do your business properly and appropriately it gives you good faith to not be as stressed.”

Winning was not an issue in the early part of Dyche’s Clarets reign, with back-to-back wins at home to Wolves and Leeds pushing them up to 10th.

Burnley have rarely strayed far from mid-table this season. But there remains a need for greater distance between them and the bottom three.

“I don’t know why this year is the one that’s gathered it all together so much.

“Circumstances, maybe odd circumstances, as we have experienced. It’s a tricky one to define.

“A couple of teams are maybe a little bit wiser this year than previous years.

“It really is a really hard one to call. I’m sure the statisticians would have a field day with the different reasons, whys and wherefores for how we’ve ended up with this kind of situation.

“But everyone says in a strange kind of way it is the most exciting division probably, arguably, in the world.”

Some Clarets fans might have begun to look over their shoulder, more will join them if maximum points are not picked up tomorrow.

But Junior Stanislas will not be among them.

The winger was disappointed his goal on his return to the line-up on Easter Monday did not make for maximum points against promotion hopefuls Nottingham Forest, who salvaged a controversial point from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time.

He insists, however, the players are only contemplating the top half of the table.

“We tend to as a group try to look at things from a more positive point of view, looking upwards rather than looking down,” said Stanislas.

“It’s in our own hands – we’re not down in a dogfight really.

“We’ll look to the next game against Bristol City.

“They’re having a tough time themselves so hopefully we can put in a good performance and get three points there and hopefully rise up rather than look down.

“We haven’t been playing badly recently so we can look at that as a positive and get the result to match the performances.”

But Stanislas admits a home win would be a weight off their shoulders, having beaten only Crystal Palace at home in seven games this calendar year.

And after getting the nod ahead of Fulham loanee Alex Kacaniklic on Monday, the 23-year-old is keen to play his part from the start.

“For any player when you’re in and out it’s hard to really stamp your authority on it,” said the former West Ham wide man.

“It’s frustrating for me personally, and any player who doesn’t play or is on the bench and in and out. When you get a game you’ve got to try to take the opportunity.

“When you get a few games you can build momentum and see what someone can really do.

“I’d like to play anywhere I can play – right, left or up front.

“As long as I’m on the pitch I’m happy.”

Despite Burnley suffering a worrying run of home form the Clarets can take solace from the run Bristol City are on away from Ashton Gate.

The Robins have yet to taste victory on the road this year and have managed only three away wins all season in the league – the last coming in mid December.