Burnley midfielder Wallace gives a history lesson

The diminutive Scot bounced off the bench to score the equaliser against Watford, before playing a part in earning a penalty decider that Graham Alexander gleefully gobbled up.

A first win in five games took the Clarets back into the top six, but while Burnley are still nine points adrift of the automatic places, Wallace feels the best is yet to come from the side.

And he looked back at a lesson in history.

While with Sunderland, four years ago, Roy Keane’s men came to Turf Moor 12th in the table, three points off the play-off places and 10 adrift of the top two, having lost six away games.

The Black Cats went on a run that saw them lift the title, and Wallace said: “I still don’t think we’ve clicked yet to be honest.

“We’re just grinding away. We had three or four games four or five weeks ago when we were on top form and looking good, and then fell away a little bit.

“But maybe we can change some personnel in the team and freshen things up and maybe get a good run going again.

“When it does click, I think we’ve got the makings of a very good team.

“We’ve got a good bunch of lads, good players and I think most managers in the league would love to have the squad that we’ve got.”

Sunderland had away woes as they arrived at Burnley in December 2006, and, having rescued a 2-0 deficit to draw 2-0, they then lost a seventh away game in their very next outing at Crystal Palace.

They ended up with 12 wins on the road, however, and Wallace is eager for Burnley to register their first at Coventry on Saturday: “That’s the one we’re frustrated with. We’ve been comfortable in games and we should be seeing them out away from home.

“When I was at Sunderland we were struggling away from home and we won the league.

“We were 12th or 13th at Christmas time and we won the league.

“Once you get that run going and get the confidence and the team clicks it’s hard to stop really.

“We had good players. That was it.

“Once we clicked, with hard work and a good team ethic – once that clicks here I think we’ve got enough here to cruise through this league.”

From a personal point of view, he hopes to have done enough to win a place back in the side after one start in the last 12 games: “I was unfortunate to get hamstring injury, but Jay came in and has been outstanding.

“He’s in contention for an England (Under 21) call-up so hopefully he gets that. He’s been playing well, as has Chris (Eagles) on the other side.

“You’ve just got to wait for your chance, so hopefully with the 20 minutes I got there I’ve done enough to keep my place.”

Having arrived from Preston in the summer, lauded as one of the best left-sided players in the Championship, he would have expected to have played more football, but Wallace has kept his head down and worked hard for a chance: “It’s not (what I envisaged) but as I said at the start of the season, I’m one of those who believes you’ve got to use the whole squad over the season.

“Somebody might come in for five or six games, then someone else comes in and has to do a job.

“Everybody’s got to step up to the plate at some point during the season.

“Hopefully in the next few games I’ll start getting on the scoresheet and creating some more goals.”

Brian Laws revealed he had spoken to Wallace on Thursday, and given him a little pick me up, and Wallace appreciated that: “I’m not one for banging on the manager’s door and asking why I’m not playing.

“I’ll try to do my business in training and work hard and hopefully the manager sees that.

“There’s nothing else I can do really, and there’s only so much he can say.

“With Jay and Chris playing well, those are the two spots that I’m pushing against.

“But we spoke on Thursday and he told me I’m still a massive part of the plans for the season, and that I’m going to get back in shortly.

“It came round quicker than I thought.

“Hopefully on Saturday I’ll be in the starting line-up.”