SO Frank McLintock can join Bryan Robson in the Clarets' Hall of Shame as the latest football legend to hand Burnley a potential away day in the FA Cup.

Four rounds and potentially four away games, three down south. Mind you, given the Clarets fabulous recent record in the capital it is perhaps a shame Watford is not 20 miles further south!

Of course, before the Burnley fans start booking their coaches to Watford there is the small matter of a replay against Premiership side Fulham a week today and there is no doubt that will be a tough match.

But the fact remains that all those with Claret running through their veins are no longer just dreaming about a money-spinning run in the Cup, they can actually see a route all the way to Cardiff.

If, and it is a big IF, they can beat Fulham they will be back at Vicarage Road where they somehow contrived to lose a game at the end of November despite dominating the game.

It could hardly be a worse tie in a number of ways. It is not a money spinner, it is not a glamour tie, it is unlikely to have set pulses racing in the offices at the BBC and Sky TV and it will be a tough one to win.

That said, it is also eminently winnable and that would mean the semi-finals would be beckoning. With Chelsea at Arsenal and Leeds at Sheffield United, anything could happen.

But the most important thing is that the players do not start putting the cart before the horse - and it sounds as if they won't.

In the minutes after the game at Craven Cottage, their message was simple: "We have done half a job but we have to finish it."

But with just a couple of months before the end of the season it is going to be an exceedingly busy time for Burnley's squad that has been stretched to breaking point at times this season.

It is little wonder that the manager admitted last week that he had been trying to bring in Bryan Hughes and, most interestingly, Matt Jansen on loan until the end of the season.

Stan Ternent has added that there are other names on his wish list and the continued interest in the FA Cup can only be a good thing as he looks to attract new names to Turf Moor.

Providing any potential target has not already appeared in the competition this season, they would be looking at Burnley's position and imagining what might be, come the end of the season.

Tommy Mooney is on loan at Sheffield United and scored for them as they knocked out Walsall. An extended run in any successful Cup side will guarantee exposure and a platform from which players can display their talents.

Jansen is one man who would have been no use to the Clarets in the Cup, having already played for Rovers at Villa Park and against Sunderland.

But the main focus of attention has to be the league and after the impressive 1-0 triumph at Coventry the dream of the play-offs has been revived.

Derby County are the visitors at the weekend and it was the victory at Pride Park in the sixth game of the season that finally got Burnley up and running.

After two memorable away days it is vital that they don't fall flat on their face at Turf Moor.

Players have been sold, Craig Burley is refusing to play for John Gregory, Lord knows what is going on with Kinkladze and Ravanelli.

But all that matters to Burnley fans is clinching the win that will be the perfect boost ahead of the massive match with Fulham.