NERVES are not the only things being shredded at Turf Moor this week - Clarets chairman Barry Kilby has had to cut up another tie.

Like any other fan he has his superstitions in the run up to games, the key one being wearing the same tie if the the team is on a run.

That is why the one that he wore at Grimsby last week has been consigned to the dustbin and there will be a new one on show at tomorrow's game.

"I always change it when we have lost a match," he explained. "It is just something I have always done."

Kilby has had a busy week that has helped him to take his mind off things but he admitted: "I could quote the table by heart, I have looked at it so often. We all know it is such a big game.

"But in all honesty I am usually quite calm before the match. I will get to the ground about 12.30, I'll get the chance to pop in and see Stan and the lads and then we will just have to wait and see."

While he does not underestimate the importance of getting into the play-offs and having a tilt at the Premier League, Kilby confessed he is reasonably relaxed because he has known far more stressful situations.

"It is always better to be involved at the top of the table rather than the bottom," he said. "Real pressure was the feeling 15 years ago when we faced the Doomsday scenario in the match against Leyton Orient.

"Then we faced the prospect of dropping out of the Football League and we may never have come back. Now, even if it goes wrong, we know we will be a first division side next season."

Kilby also believes it may be better for the Clarets to be playing Coventry rather than Stockport, the opponents for their nearest rivals Norwich.

"I am also hoping that Sheffield United will do us a favour at Birmingham," he said.

Like the rest of the 20,000 home fans he will be keeping track of events elsewhere but knows there is nothing can be done about the results at Carrow Road, the New Den and St Andrews.

He is just hoping that his latest tie will still be round his neck at the start of next season for the opening game of the Clarets first Premier League campaign.