BURNLEY'S players are ready to take out their frustrations following another postponed fixture by putting in a match winning display at Crewe Alexandra tomorrow.

But manager Stan Ternent has been quick to dismiss any notion that they may be in for an easy ride against a side that has shipped ten goals in their last two home games.

"We were at the game against Wolves on Wednesday and Crewe were unbelievably good in the first half," he said. "How they weren't three or four up at half time I just don't know.

"In the second half the keeper made a rick and they let in three goals in seven minutes but they are a very good side and they always seem to be ready to take on Burnley."

They won this fixture 4-2 last season and Ternent expects it to be another tough match although he said: "We know that it will be a good football match. The pitch was not bad against Wolves."

While the Clarets need the points to continue their push for promotion, Alex's need for victory is just as important at the other end of the table.

They are currently three points and one place above the drop zone and although they have three games in hand on those around them the midweek match illustrated that extra matches don't always equate to extra points.

"They are fighting for their lives and we know that the front two (Dean Ashton and Rob Hulse) are very good," said Ternent. "They have got Rodney Jack as well and they are a good side. It is not just a case of Dario (Gradi) throwing in a bunch of kids, they are good players."

Crewe have played twice since the Clarets took on Nottingham Forest when they were grateful to Arthur Gnohere for a late equaliser.

It has been a tough week for Ternent who was grateful to at least get his players some action in the behind closed doors friendly at Bolton's Euxton training ground on Wednesday.

"We have been finding it difficult to find anywhere to train," he said. "We did not want to go on the pitch and cause it any damage. The conditions against Bolton were horrendous but it will have done our players a world of good to play.

"We never wanted a backlog of fixtures with games called off but that is what has happened. We have no control over the weather. We all know that the weather can be bad here but I have never known it rain as much as this. Gawthorpe is under water.

"The Bradford game has now been called off twice and we are looking at playing the match on the Wednesday after we play Preston North End on the Sunday."

That date, March 20, has now been confirmed.

Ternent continued: "We have to keep trying to give the players plenty of rest but this is the nature of modern day football. And at least we are giving our injured players a bit more time to get fit, although they do need games."

The next game is always the one that the manager focuses on and, although Gresty Road has not been a happy hunting ground for Burnley in recent years, Ternent is hopeful that will change tomorrow.