IF the moans from rival managers are anything to go by, it surely won't be long before Burnley players run out clutching planks of wood to board up the goal!

Aston Villa's assistant manager, Roy Aitken, was the latest to question the Clarets 'tactic' of defending in numbers and hoping to snatch games on the break.

Well, my fellow Scot was clearly watching a different game to most Burnley fans, who saw their team have a real go at the Premiership side in the last hour on Tuesday to bow out of the Carling Cup with their heads held high.

Steve Cotterill was nearer the mark in his post-match assessment, when he rightly claimed that opening the game up too early would have played right into the hands of a Villa side expected to win at a canter.

Sorry if we disappointed you Roy! However, the mantra is becoming worryingly familiar. In recent weeks, Glenn Hoddle, Craig Levein and Iain Dowie have all moaned about how Burnley "came with a game-plan", hinting at an ultra-defensive strategy.

Our own manager has a knack of coming up with the right words to answer this criticism, and he is spot on when he said that just because we are good at defending, that doesn't mean we are defensive!

With the likes of Ade Akinbiyi, Wade Elliott and Garreth O'Connor in the side, attacking outlets are in situ. Remember the recent 3-0 win over Ipswich, when everything clicked into place superbly?

The problem at other times, especially with the favoured 4-5-1 system, is that if your striker is having an off day it can affect those trying to offer valuable support.

The proof though is that we have won more than we've lost since Akinbiyi was asked to lead the line alone. Say no more.

Except that after three successive away games we are back at Turf Moor and expected to beat both Hull City tonight and Millwall next Tuesday.

The onus is most definitely on Burnley to deliver. Thankfully, we cold yet have a secret weapon on the ranks. Little has been seen of Danny Karbassiyoon since he arrived last summer.

I have to admit I've still not seen the lad kick a ball. But I do know that bad players don't get into the Arsenal side and he was first spotted as a striker before they converted him to a defender.

It was terrific to see him get some action at Villa and I'm sure all Burnley fans are now looking forward to see what such versatility can bring to the side.

As a defender Danny can clearly cut the mustard, while operating further forward he could prove to be one more attacking outlet to silence the critics.

Either way, Steve should benefit from having a valuable squad member fit again after a season of injury woes.