FIGHTING has broken out in shoppers' desperation to get their hands on some post-Christmas bargains, but Burnley manager Owen Coyle must remain patient until the turn of the year before he can spend.

The spate of suspensions and injuries has served to highlight just how small the squad is. And while credit must go to the players who have done excellent jobs in providing the necessary cover - more recently in unfamiliar positions - there is no getting away from the fact that the troops need to be boosted.

That transfer window can't open soon enough.

Each area of the pitch could probably do with strengthening, but the first thing on my shopping list would be another striker; an out and out goalscorer, because we haven't scored enough goals at home.

And while the top clubs will have their eye on the top players to keep up their push for promotion, I'm hoping Owen has a trick up his sleeve without having to take too much from the funds. Perhaps he will use his many contacts in Scotland and Ireland to pluck talent from relative obscurity and unleash them on the Championship.

For all the frustrations surrounding the home form, not just of this season but the last 12 months, the Clarets are still well in contention for a top six finish.

They have dealt with their numerous recent absences admirably well, but I hope that the suspensions don't prove too costly in the long run.

At this moment in time, we've got everything to play for, and hopefully the home form will take a turn for the better to increase our chances of a strong second half of the season.

It doesn't help, though, when we find ourselves talking about another refereeing howler. In all my years involved in football, I've never seen anything like Sheffield Wednesday's penalty on Boxing Day. As Owen said, all he had to do was check that Gabor Kiraly was ready. But even when he didn't I was amazed he didn't see the error of his ways and order a re-take.

But, even so, Burnley recovered well, and Jon Harley impressed me with his performance in central midfield.

We were just lacking that finishing touch in the final third.

But with the transfer window set to open, and the massive FA Cup game against Arsenal, there is plenty to look forward to in the New Year.

And here's hoping it's a happy one for everyone!