BURNLEY couldn't have asked for a bigger stage on which to exorcise the demons of the Turf Moor nightmare endured 10 days ago.

That 5-0 thumping by Gillingham saw the Clarets hit rock-bottom.

But the performance and the fall-out that followed in the shape of team meetings and clear-the-air talks could also prove a watershed for a Burnley side adamant that they won't plumb those depths again.

And as they prepare for tonight's visit of Manchester City in front of a likely 18,000 crowd, the Burnley players couldn't ask for a better opportunity to put the record straight.

"No-one likes to see their team get beaten 5-0 but the manner of the defeat was disappointing.

"Everyone can get beat but it was the manner in which we got beat. We were looking towards Wigan to put that right and that was off so now it's about tonight," insisted Steve Davis, who shares the responsibility of getting Burnley's season back on track despite missing the Gillingham debacle through a one-match suspension.

"Everyone wants to put the home record straight and put on a good performance and there's no bigger game than Man City," he added.

"When the fixtures came out I think everybody was looking for the Man City games home and away because they are a massive club.

"But they are in the Second Division now and hopefully we will put up a good performance.

"They are a decent side but certainly not a side we should fear." A first win in six games and first home victory since the end of November would go a long way to banishing the memories of the Gillingham game for both the Burnley players and supporters.

And taking three points from sixth-placed City would not only relieve some pressure near the wrong end of the table, but also put the Clarets in good heart for Sunday's televised derby clash against derby rivals Preston North End.

In short this is arguably Burnley's biggest week of the season.

And Davis is relishing the prospect.

"These are the sort of weeks you want to be having every week, getting into the First Division and playing against big clubs," added the central defender.

"Preston are riding high as well and hopefully we can get a win tonight to set us up up for that.

"If you can beat the likes of Man City and Preston none of the other teams should hold any fears for you so we will start with Man City tonight and hopefully get a win."

Away from the immediate aim of beating two of their biggest local rivals and two of the clubs with realistic promotion ambitions, Burnley also have longer term interests to satisfy.

Their sole target this season is now to avoid relegation and allow Stan Ternent to continue his re-building plans in the summer from a position of strength.

Going down doesn't come into the equation, although it's a threat that won't be dismissed glibly by the Burnley players.

"You would be a fool if you didn't think about it because it is there. We are only a point I think from a relegation spot so you have got to take that seriously.

"But we are confident that we can pull ourselves away from the trouble.

"We have got a good group of players and as long as we can put a bit of confidence back into the team we will be alright," Davis insisted.

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