FORWARD Danny Ings hasn’t given up on a play-off challenge just yet, and believes Burnley can reignite their hopes tonight.
The Clarets entertain Huddersfield Town at Turf Moor, sitting eight points behind Brighton in sixth place after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at the Amex Stadium.
Burnley are without a win in five games, and with 13 matches remaining, time is running out to close the gap.
Ings, however, remains upbeat, and he said: “It can be a little bit frustrating for the lads.
“I wasn’t involved on Tuesday but they played very well and pressed Middlesbrough very well. We did the same at Brighton but we were just unlucky that we didn’t pick up a result.
“We play Huddersfield now, we could get three points and go again on Saturday at Charlton, get another three points and we’re back up there in the mix again.
“You just never know in this league.
“Brighton are a very strong side, picking up wins and doing very well.
“But it’s not that long ago that we were on a good run and people were saying ‘look at Burnley, they can get in the play-offs’, and I still think it’s possible.
“We just need to go on a little run now and I think we can.”
The Clarets have failed to press home the initiative against Middlesbrough and Brighton, but the former Bournemouth striker feels they will hit the goal trail again: “The way we’re playing sooner or later a team will be on the end of a good hiding from us.
“I think that will come very soon.
“I think we can mix it with anyone in this league.
“In the Championship in general is very close, the ability levels are all near enough the same. There are some big names that some clubs have.
“We’re unlucky at the moment but I’m sure we can turn it around.”
Boss Sean Dyche feels the side could have more freedom now after slipping off the pace, and Ings said: “We’ll go out there and give 100%.
“You take every game as it comes. You don’t think of the games ahead, you think of the next game. I’m sure if we do that and pick up a few results who knows where it can take us.
“As a team we’ve been very strong, we’ve just been very hard done by.
“We’re working hard for each other, we’re over-running teams, the stats show we’re as fit as any team in the league.
“It’s just that little bit of luck we need and I’m sure it’s going to come soon.”
The big plus to come out of the last two games has been the performances of centre back Kevin Long, but Ings hasn’t been surprised by the 22-year-old Irishman: “He’s brilliant Longy.
“I think with more confidence he can be very, very good for us.
“The last two games he’s come in and he’s done excellent. He’s been very solid.
“He’s gone in and not looked out of place.
“A neutral watching the game would never know he’s just come into the team.
“He’s been fantastic for us.
“I’m happy for him because he’s a very nice lad.”
And he is backing Charlie Austin to return to his prolific form after four goals in 14 games: “If you know Charlie Austin personally you’ll know his spirits are always high – he’s that type of guy.
“He didn’t score on Saturday but he could go into the next game and score a hat-trick. He’s a great lad to have in the team.”
• The Burnley Express has launched a FREE football app which is now available to download on {http://bit.ly/LkG6ap|iPhone|Download our football app on iPhone} and {http://bit.ly/IdEJgn|Android|Download our football app on Android} devices.