Jones hoping magic of FA Cup can help extend Clarets' league form

The Clarets hammered that theory home when a third round victory over Middlesbrough at the Riverside earlier in the month built in to subsequent triumphs over MK Dons, Brentford and Derby County.

Sean Dyche’s side face holders Arsenal at the Emirates today, with Championship clashes against Sheffield Wednesday and Hull City to follow.

“I think you can marry the two,” Jones said. “Sometimes the two can go hand in hand with getting momentum – that’s what you want.

“We did well in the last game in the cup, beating a tough team away from home near the top of our division.

“We’ve got another big game at the weekend in the FA Cup and attentions turn to that, away from the league. We’ve got a lot of big games coming up.”

He added: “Attentions turns first to the FA Cup and hopefully we can take the good form and put in a performance there.

“It’s going to be tough, they’re obviously a top team, but it’s a game we’ll be up for.

“We’ll be looking to continue what we’ve been doing. We’ve got a big couple of games in the league ahead after that so we just want to keep doing well and keep it going.”

Jones is refusing to get too carried away with Burnley’s form just yet in the knowledge that things can change quite quickly in football.

The Clarets didn’t win in six fixtures during a spell over November and December but have since responded by taking 16 points from seven games.

After thrashing the Rams 4-1 at Turf Moor midweek, Jones said: “We don’t want to get carried away as it’s only three points but against potential promotion rivals – a team in a similar position to us at the moment – you want to beat the teams around you because you want to make up ground.

“We can’t get carried away, it’s just another three points, but a good win and one that we’ll enjoy.

“It was important to beat them and show our intent and authority that we’re a good team in this division.

“It’s a little bit too early, we’re not in the run-in yet. We just want to take the cliché of every game at a time and just continue what we’re doing and build on it.

“But we’re getting some good momentum going, good relationships on the pitch, we’ve got a squad all fighting for places.

“At the moment we’re in a good place but we know how quickly things can change in football in a week so there’s no complacency. We’ve just got to keep our eyes down on the job.”