THREE times this season the Clarets have been on Sky television and given more than a good account of themselves in knockout competitions.

Against Spurs in the Worthington Cup they won a thrilling game with some lovely football and a couple of good goals.

They were far from embarrassed in the 2-0 defeat by Manchester United in the following round, once again contributing to a good game.

Then in the fifth round FA Cup replay against a third Premiership side, they blew away Fulham with a dominant display.

But when the Beeb took over from Sky and a wider audience was tuning in, they blew it big style.

Even three days after the disappointment of the game at Vicarage Road, it is hard to put your finger on what exactly went wrong.

What I don't think can be over-estimated is the stress and the strain on the players who were out there.

In different eras a Cup run was a roller-coaster ride, you played to win and you lapped up the glory if you did.

What is noticeable now, especially at first division level, is that the bottom line is very much the bottom line. Yes the glamour and the glory exists and, yes, the exposure in the media is great.

But the fact remains that it is the extra income that is so vital, the chance to be on television, to play in front of full houses.

That is why the chairmen of both Watford and Burnley were so willing to make a deal to split the prize-money, it was a mutual admission of how important the cash bonus was.

What will be interesting is the team selection against the Blades tonight. Being a manager is all about making tough choices and even more about getting them right.

It is unlikely Ternent, with a full squad at his disposal at last, has had a tougher call to make this season. His players will be climbing each other to look at the team sheet.

But whoever is in, it is safe to say there is not another match for the rest of this season that the boss would rather win!

As a born gambler I know the feeling of having to weigh up a bet, assess the odds and decide when to gamble.

The decision I take is always based on the answer to one question - can I afford to lose? Barry Kilby and Graham Stringer clearly decided that £200,000 was a sum that they could not afford to see disappear down the plug-hole.

Both men got it right.

Of course the Hornets would have liked the full £400,000 but they can now look forward to their semi-final against Southampton, another big pay-out and, who knows, a place in the final 19 years after they were last there.