We'll take care of business - Arfield

The Clarets initially broke in to that bracket back in November after beating Fulham at Turf Moor but dropped back in to the play-off spots with a goalless draw against Wolves at Molineux.

However, Sean Dyche’s side have now governed a spot in the top two of the division since February when beating Rotherham United on home soil and hold a two-point advantage over third place Brighton with just five Championship games remaining.

After conceding top spot to Middlesbrough, following their last gasp win over Reading at the Riverside midweek, the Canada international said: “We’re in a fantastic position. Every other team wants to be where we are. It’s not the most difficult (getting over the line), it’s more difficult to get in there and keeping that mental strength.

“It’s quite evident how tough this league is to get out of so you need to keep that mental strength and belief.

“There’s a large majority of the squad that was here when we did it before.

“There’s also a large majority of the squad that has come in and handled the expectation to get promoted in other divisions and other leagues.

“I think that experience of getting over the line will stand us in great stead going in to these massive five games.”

Boro’s dramatic winner provided more drama after the Seagulls netted in stoppage time to bypass Forest at the City Ground the previous evening. However, Arfield is refusing to dwell on the fortune of their rivals.

“For us it’s quite easy with our management staff,” he said. “It’s second nature to us. We’re so used to not letting anything get in the way.

“We just control us as a team and a club.

“That’s what the management team has drilled in to us.

“Time will tell how difficult it is for different teams. It’s all about taking it one game at a time. It’s a cliché but it’s stood us in good stead.”

The 27-year-old has already emulated his goal tally from the 2013/14 promotion term, netting his eighth in victory over Leeds United, and admits that every single player in the squad is going the extra mile in training and on match day to ensure that they take care of business.

With a return to the Premier League in sight, ahead of tomorrow’s trip to St Andrews where they take on Birmingham City, he said: “On a personal level you want to exceed the standards you’ve set.

“It’s not that important in terms of the bigger picture but it is important we take the pressure of the strikers.

“We can’t just leave it up to Barnesy, Vokesy, Andre and Rouwen who’s been in there, and Jukesy when he’s back.

“It’s important it’s not just those five who have the pressure of scoring goals, it’s across the whole squad, and we’re doing that, we’ve spread the goals out.

“You’ve got your personal standards you want to it but it’s about working hard for the team.”

He added: “First day of pre-season it’s drilled into us.

“For me it’s very important that you’re fit, it’s the very minimal you should do as a player, work hard for yourself and work hard for the team.

“The intensity in training is good.

“I think we go harder than any other team in training, and when the boys get called upon it’s second nature, we’re a fit bunch.

“Two years ago that was one of the main reasons we got up as well as the ability, the confidence and intensity in training which takes you straight on.”