by STEPHEN CUMMINGS

IT HAS been a strange week to say the least.

If ever proof were required that the beautiful game is also a contrary, frustrating and wildly unpredictable one, it was found in the fortunes of Burnley FC this week.

Last Tuesday the pampered millionaires of Aston Villa rolled into town. The Clarets were without the solidity of Frank Sinclair, the effervescence of Richard Chaplow and the tireless enthusiasm of Ian Moore.

The visitors meanwhile, fielded a full strength side packed with internationals and top flight regulars.

Foregone conclusion, wasn't it? Er, no. At 10 o'clock that evening David O'Leary was spitting feathers and bandying about words such as "embarrassment" and "disgusting" in an attempt to describe just how Burnley had clinically dismantled their supposed superiors.

Fast forward four days to Loftus Road. Burnley pitched up having conceded just two league goals on the road since August. QPR had lost their last two and could be expected to be cagey. If we could keep it tight for the first 20 minutes we could surely take something from the game.

Again, events didn't quite go as scripted as with just 24 minutes on the clock Danny Coyne hobbled off after Rangers breached the Clarets for the third time.

Dispiriting though Saturday's defeat was, the suspicion is that it was a mere aberration - an off day.

After all, this is the same Burnley side who have been to the top three in the championship and have come away with a point on each occasions.

It is also worth pointing out that despite boasting 88 goals between them and having such potent forwards as Ellington, Roberts, Kuqi, Bent, Kitson and Goater at their disposal, Wigan, Ipswich and Reading have only managed a single goal between them against the Clarets.

Back to the Carling Cup, and Wednesday's night draw left many supporters with mixed emotions. Those wanting a money-spinning draw at Old Trafford or Highbury were left frustrated, but though the decision by Sky to screen the game after missing out on last week's heroics, offered some compensation.

On the other hand the tie is winnable. Spurs have an indifferent away record and have managed just three goals in six games away from White Hart Lane.

Further encouragement can be drawn from the words of Spurs' midfielder Sean Davis who noted earlier last week that Turf Moor was a difficult place to overcome.

He should know, he was part of the Fulham side dumped out of the FA Cup a couple of seasons ago. A repeat performance would be just the ticket.