GRAHAM Alexander errs on the side of caution when asked if he thinks Burnley are going back to the Premier League.

His heart says “YES!”. His head agrees. But with more than 1,000 senior appearances under his belt as a player, setting him up for a career in management, the former right back turned defensive midfielder has seen enough over the years–- indeed decades – to know there are no guarantees.

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It was the same when he was pressed about his next step in management.

Relieved of his duties at Fleetwood Town in September, despite steering them to League One a few months earlier via the play-offs, Alexander had bided his time before dipping his toe back in, waiting for the right opportunity.

“Any irons in the fire?” I said.

Little did I know at the time that the term was literal, with former Burnley captain Alexander going back to where it all started for him in football, Scunthorpe United, nicknamed The Iron.

Alexander was announced as Mark Robins’ full-time successor last Wednesday, after Nick Daws had initially been placed in charge until the end of the season from January.

“Being out on the training ground again felt like it was back where I feel I belong. I couldn’t wait to get started,” said the 44-year-old in his first press conference on his return to Glanford Park.

“It’s fantastic, I’m really excited about what’s to come.

“Just coming up the motorway there, the butterflies started coming as soon as I could see the floodlights coming into view.

"I realised it was 28 years since I made that first drive as a 16-year-old and I feel as excited as I did then. It’s fantastic to be back.”

Speaking of returns, he hopes to see Burnley back in the Premier League for a third time in eight years.

“I don’t want to jinx anything, but they are doing great,” he says with cautious optimism. “They have really put their foot down on the pedal in the last month or so and opened up a little gap, which is good.

“There’s going to be a couple of results along the way which puts a bit of pressure on you. But the gap gives you that bit of freedom.

“I don’t think Sean Dyche will let complacency creep into it though.

“They are going great guns so I’m sure they’re going to finish the job."

“And they deserve to be there because they’ve been the most consistent side.”

Alexander saw the Clarets first hand a few times during his management hiatus, including at the Riverside, when they came back from behind for the first time this season to beat Middlesbrough in the FA Cup third round in January.

“They’ve pretty much been up there since the start. It was a slow start but they’ve always been around it. But possibly that was the turning point,” he said.

“Looking at it now they’ve gone to promotion rivals and beat them. Even though it’s in the cup it’s a marker and a psychological blow to the opposition when you do that.

“And with it being the first time this season they had come back from behind to win...sometimes when a stat creeps up like that it can bug you as a manager or a player and people love to remind you of these things.

"To knock it on the head is one less stick to beat you with.

“The first half wasn’t great but they ground out the result and looked quite comfortable once they had taken the lead.

“I spoke to Dychey after. He has been here before and led the group really well.”

But the Clarets boss is not the only one to have the thrill of promotion, and what it takes to be achieved, fresh in his memory.

Of the 11 who started the last game, five were key players in going up as Championship runners-up two years ago, while August arrival Joey Barton is chasing a third promotion to the Premier League.

“As you go through your career as a player the more you experience pressure situations in big games, promotions and title bids, you store it in the bank for the next opportunity and it helps you handle those situations,” said Alexander.

“And the majority of them have got the experience of two years ago when they did the same thing.

"They are quite a strong group anyway but I definitely think that will help them.

“But there’s always that side of caution where you have to finish the job properly. Sometimes there’s less pressure when you’re playing catch-up or chasing something.

“I know as a manager, being in Sean’s position, a few points clear at the top of the table going into the final run-in, it’s how you handle the pressure.

“I can’t see any signs of anyone getting too ahead of themselves or cracking under the strain."

“But two years ago they handled the pressure right to the end and didn’t have that experience.”

Alexander sees Dyche as key to Burnley’s quest.

“The manager’s role as the leader is to pre-empt situations like this. It’s massive,” said the former Scotland international.

"They did have a slow start and I think there was a bit of panic outside the group, but Dychey will have handled it and kept everyone calm.

“Sean has got a lot of experience under his belt now. He knows how to manage his group.

“They are a very difficult team to beat and they’ve got goalscorers in their squad.

“Sean is consistent with his team, but he’s got a few people he can bring in at any time and bring that strength.

“I hope they do it, and I think they’ve got a great chance, not only this season but hopefully when they get there the experience of being in the Premier League the last time will help them because it’s a similar group.

“But they’ve got to get there first.

“A season is 46 games. He is focused and knows what his team has to do and how to handle them.

"They see confidence coming through him.”

Alexander can sense the ‘fat lady’ gearing up her vocal chords. He can’t wait to hear her sing.