The Andy Lochhead column

JUST the other day, I read Arsene Wenger moaning about Arsenal having to play every three days in a packed programme of fixtures.

(Not a problem they have any more, mind you!)

However, it made me chuckle to hear a manager claiming his players would be burnt out by such a schedule.

I felt like screaming 'you're having a laugh', and I'm sure most players would agree with me.

As a footballer, you want to be out on that pitch as often as possible, not playing a little bit of head tennis, or kicking a ball around in training.

In my day, I remember us having a bruising match against Manchester United at Turf Moor one day, beating them 6-2.

The next day we made the journey to Old Trafford and they got revenge with a 5-1 win.

But the fans loved it and the players loved it. After all, matchday is what everyone lives for.

I mention this only because of Burnley's vital Easter double header. Two games in three days against two of their closest relegation rivals.

And now, for a few days at least, the Clarets can forget all about the menial task of training and concentrate on what really matters.

First Division survival means absolutely everything after a difficult and, at times, traumatic season.

It will be played out over seven games - hopefully less. But the next 72 hours will go a long way towards clarifying the relegation situation and I still believe we have the players willing to go that extra mile.

We have a realistic chance of beating both Walsall and Watford, and injuries aside, there are no outside distractions or delays that can allow doubt to creep into the mind.

After last weekend's result I was thinking of making my thoughts known on a few of the players' performances.

But now is not the time for that, now is the time for pulling together and backing each and every player to the hilt.

The results went well in midweek, handing Burnley the perfect platform to stage a dramatic final act.

The results away from home, both at Nottingham Forest and Bradford, give an indication that Burnley's travel-sickness has been cured.

Walsall will naturally be 110 per cent up for tomorrow's game, knowing one more win would take them past the perceived safety mark of 50 points.

But two more wins would put Burnley in a similar situation and would finally allow everyone to breathe a sigh of relief.

After the season we've suffered, how good would it be to enjoy the final few games, safe in the knowledge that First Division football will return next year?

It's possible. And at least we don't have long to wait to find out!