It’s now or never! - Marvin Bartley

Three defeats from four games have hit the side’s play-off hopes hard.

But Bartley believes if the side can get close to emulating the sequence before that - when they won five of six - they will be close to a top-six berth.

Burnley have eight games remaining, and lie six point adrift of Reading in sixth, with a game in hand.

And ahead of a tough away double header at Leciester City tomorrow and Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night, the former Bournemouth man said: “We haven’t been in the best of form, which is clear for everyone to see.

“But we’re six points off the play-offs still, with a game in hand.

“If any positives are going to come out of the last three or four games it’s that.

“If we can put another decent run together we should find ourselves in the play-offs come the end of the season.

“We’re still going for the same target and the boys will keep fighting.”

While the Clarets will look to capitalise on any slips from above, they have to look after themselves and get back to winning ways again: “We’ve got to start doing something ourselves on the pitch rather than relying on other people, because you know it’s not going to happen from now until the end of the season.

“They’re going to start picking up points and we need to pick up points.

“We’ve just got to be positive about it.”

The side are struggling to meet the fans’ expectations at present, and after only two wins from the last six home games, Turf Moor has been far from a fortress, with the dissatisfaction spilling down from the stands.

As Burnley go back on the road, where their form is better of late, Bartley understands the supporters’ frustrations, however: “It shows that they’re passionate and you prefer them making some sort of noise than being dead quiet.

“For me, personally, it spurs me on to know the fans are passionate, as the lads are about winning and playing.”

• BURNLEY Reserves beat Morecambe 3-1 at Turf Moor on Tuesday night, as Chris McCann came through an hour.

Brian Jensen and David Edgar also started against the Shrimps and came through the 90 minutes unscathed.

The Clarets bossed the first half, but went in goal-less as Dominic Knowles and Michael King headed wide, while the lively Wes Fletcher saw an effort crash back off the bar, and was also denied by keeper Lawrie Walker.

Morecambe took the lead after the break as Dan Parkinson netted from Chris Wraighte’s centre, but Fletcher levelled from the spot after King was fouled by was fouled by Neil Wainright.

McCann was withdrawn after an hour, and replacement Joe Jackson netted within four minutes of coming on as he turned in the rebound after Knowles’ shot was saved.

Joe McKee completed the scoring at the death with a delightful free kick.

The reserves host Macclesfield Town on Monday night (kick-off 7 p.m.).

• Burnley have been allocated 2,800 tickets for the game at Elland Road against Leeds on Saturday, April 30th (kick-off 12-45 p.m.).

Following an initial sales period, supporters with 2,000-plus loyalty points are now invited to apply for Postal Applications.

Tickets prices are Adults £30, 60 and over £20, Under 16s £16.