Better, much better. Following last weekend's horror-show at Bradford, it was essential the Clarets produced a good performance and took all three points against Franchise FC - if only to get the supporters back on side.

That they did was largely down to a handful of impressive performances. Glen Little, quite apart from his coolly executed strike, was on top form.

When you see Glen in that kind of mood, it is difficult to believe there is a more creative player in the division.

Burnley's cause was greatly helped by the balance lent to the side by Alan Moore. The Irishman has produced some pretty lame performances this season, hence the recent demotion to the substitutes' bench.

Yet in the last couple of games he has delivered.

The pleasing side-effects of an on-song Moore are that the burden of creativity resting on Glen's shoulders is greatly reduced, and Burnley can carry an additional threat to their opponents.

And then there's Robbie Blake. Play the ball into his feet in the penalty area and he has the capability to destroy teams. His lack of pace is more than compensated for by his fleetness of thought, and there were a number of occasions against Milton Keynes when his prompting opened up the visitors' defence.

Maintain this level of performance and his few remaining detractors will be left looking faintly ridiculous.

And so to this evening's Worthington Cup clash with Huddersfield Town. It has been said on numerous occasions - yet it bears repetition - it is essential that the club make progress in the competition to give themselves a chance of making some desperately-needed money.

The signals being sent out from Turf Moor grow more worrying by the day.

Consider last week's tidings for instance. Dean West, last season's player of the year, is now out of contract and appears to be no nearer to being offered a new deal. Lenny Johnrose, whom Ternent wanted to take on for a further month, has had to be discarded.

Sam Ellis, in last week's press conference, hinted that French trialist Eddy Fal had impressed, but a lack of funds prevented the club taking their interest any further.

And on Saturday came the news that Nik the Greek had been loaned out to Crystal Palace for a month in a bid to reduce the wage bill.

As if the situation was not dire enough, Sunday's Observer ran a story which claimed that 21 of the 24 first division clubs were unable to guarantee that they would be able to fulfil their remaining fixtures this season.

Suffice to say that Burnley were not one of the lucky three. Here's hoping for a glimmer of hope at the McAlpine this evening.