EDDIE Howe has told his players “It’s now or never” as they bid to overcome their toughest run of the season and climb into the play-off positions.

Burnley are faced with four away games on the bounce, starting with tomorrow’s trip to fellow promotion challengers Watford.

And with a first visit to the new Cardiff City Stadium following quickly on Tuesday, manager Howe knows the Clarets must overcome their biggest hurdles with immediate effect.

Burnley have won only twice away this season, and only three times in the last 37 league games, while their last back-to-back league wins were recorded at the start of their Premier League campaign, against Manchester United and Everton at Turf Moor in August 2009.

Howe knows their fortunes must change, and fast.

“It’s now or never really. In terms of the season and our away form we need to address it and try to get as many wins as we can,” said the Clarets boss, whose baptism of fire has yielded seven points from a possible 12, while beating Burton in the FA Cup has earned them a fifth round trip to West Ham on Monday week, followed by the derby at Deepdale on February 26.

“It’s a tough run of fixtures. It’s never ideal to have a run of away games like we’ve got. The cup game sort of breaks it up a little bit, and that’s obviously a great game for everybody, but first and foremost we look at Watford and it’s a good place to start.

“I think they surprised everybody by how they started the season, it was a really positive start and they stayed at the top end for a long time.

“They’ve got a young, energetic side and it’s going to be another difficult away game for us but one that if we can match the levels of performances that we’ve had in a couple of the games we’ll be okay.

“We’ve just got to be wary that in the game against Doncaster we dipped below that, so it’s that consistency factor and trying to produce a performance game by game is going to be the important thing.”

Howe’s two predecessors, Owen Coyle and Brian Laws, have tried and struggled to pinpoint the cause of the poor away form that has dogged Burnley for the last three seasons.

But the 33-year-old does not believe the problems are psychological.

“I wouldn’t have thought so. I certainly haven’t noticed that with the players. I don’t think there’s a negative reaction to playing away from home. I don’t think there’s a problem mentally,” he said.

“The result against Portsmouth and not far behind that the Barnsley game, they help. The more wins that we can pick up the less of a factor it’s going to be.

“We have an idea (what the problem is).

“It’s not something we can change with a click of the fingers. It’s going to take a bit of hard work.

"But we’re gradually trying to improve the things that we need to be improved, but it’s going to be a gradual process.”

He added: “It’s a tough league, it really is. They are difficult games.

“You can go on a run of wins but you can go on a run of defeats.

“Every team’s searching for that consistency and Watford are no different to us.

“We’re very tightly packed together in the league. There are a lot of teams close together and this is a really crucial stage of the season now for everyone.”

But Howe is hopeful of breaking into the leading pack.

“We’re just concentrating on ourselves. We’d love to get those wins together that will really see us elevated. We’re desperate to do that,” the former Bournemouth boss said.

“And it’s only by going on a run that will make our season, and we need to do it now. We can’t be waiting any longer.

“I think the players are aware of that and we’re aware of that.

“The result against Norwich will certainly help. Against good sides like that we’ve proved we can beat anybody. It’s just that consistency.”