THOSE hardy souls who undertook the energy-sapping expedition to deepest, darkest Norfolk on Saturday may have consoled themselves on the journey home with the thought that things could be worse.

At least we are safe. At least we are not Stoke, Brighton, Sheffield Wednesday or Grimsby, whose fans face a twitchy few weeks between now and the end of the season.

Safety, of course, arrived in the guise of last Tuesday's victory over local rivals Preston North End. Yet not only did it guarantee First Division football at the Turf next season, it also restored some of the pride which had been lost following the shabby display against Watford.

Speaking of Watford, I wonder how many of the Burnley players cast a regretful and envious eye over proceedings at Villa Park on Sunday afternoon as the Hornets battled it out with Southampton in an FA Cup semi final? Certainly, many Clarets supporters would have been harbouring "if only" scenarios.

Still, what is gone is gone. And to paraphrase the manager we just have to crack on and see where it takes us. Where it takes us next, of course, is Portsmouth.

As was graphically illustrated at Fratton Park on Saturday, we are slap bang in the middle of silly season when it comes to results. And while Sheffield Wednesday's surprise victory over their hosts may ultimately prove to be pyrrhic, it at least delayed the celebrations on the south coast.

The worry among Burnley supporters is that the Clarets travel to Portsmouth's promotion party like lambs to the slaughter.

Promotion may be tied on for Harry Redknapp's men, but they will be keen to wrap it up as soon as possible in front of their own fans. One would imagine that Saturday's false start will only spur them on even more for this evening's fixture.

Given that Portsmouth score, on average, two goals per game and only Grimsby have a leakier defence than the Clarets, Burnley supporters could be excused for finding something less painful to do on a Tuesday evening.

Optimists would say that no team is invincible and as Sheffield Wednesday proved, league positions are not a reliable indicator of form. Here's hoping.

Finally, although this is a column about Burnley Football Club, it would be wrong not to give Accrington Stanley a mention.

I feel sure Burnley supporters everywhere will want to join me in congratulating everyone at the Crown Ground on winning the UniBond League.

Let's hope it's not too long before East Lancashire has another club in the Football League.