The Andy Payton column

TALK about timing!

Last Friday was typical of what happens when expectations are high and your team is live on TV.

Anybody watching us would have turned off, moaning that 'Burnley are rubbish'. Too many players had an off night, characterised by John McGreal making such an elementary mistake for the second goal.

Collectively, it was a nightmare performance and it highlighted the fact that we desperately need more firepower.

We dropped four places on Friday and, from the situation looking quite bright, things suddenly took a turn for the worst.

It has always been like that in this league and, if anything, it seems to be even more tight this season.

We know that we need to be turning draws into wins and only finances can virtually guarantee that.

But it's been proven that we have no money, or else Steve Cotterill would have been out on Monday morning buying a new striker.

The one thing you can guarantee now is that, sometime in the next six weeks while Ian Moore is recuperating, Robbie Blake will pick up an injury. It's Sod's Law.

That's why tonight's Carling Cup tie against Aston Villa is really is important for Burnley Football Club.

There is that train of thought that being out of the cup will give the lads - and the manager - one less game to worry about as they concentrate on league matters. But the attractive flip side is that the revenue created could be a life-saver.

Burnley picked up £60,000 for last Friday, money I am sure the club welcomed with open arms in the present climate.

But staying in the competition as a giant-killer would be even more welcome, given the opposition Burnley could then draw in the fourth round.

One good performance and suddenly, the next round could then pair us with Manchester United away and solve all our money problems in one fell swoop.

Naturally, the odds on that happening are long.

But you can bet that Villa will be a little nervous playing away to a Championship side. So come on Burnley - give Turf Moor one of those nights to remember and lift everyone's spirits after a tough week.