I FEEL I must say a huge thank you for all the cards and well-wishes I've received in the past week.

Many of you won't know that I suffered a heart attack - my third - form which I am thankfully recovering in hospital.

I feel as fit as an ox again after the scare, but naturally I have to take things easy for a while even though I hope to be back on my feet in the next few days.

But it has been a real tonic to receive so many messages and cards, which I can assure you has perked me up no end.

I also received a visit from my old mate Stan Ternent the other day, which was another nice surprise.

Some things never change though - all the tight swine brought me was a bunch of grapes!

CERTAINLY Euro 2004 has to go a long way to perking me up.

I've sat and watched most of the action so far and the one thing that stands out is the alarming lack of quality.

I've yet to see one quality performance - and you can include Sweden's 5-0 drubbing of Bulgaria because they could have been 2-1 down just after half-time but for some poor finishing.

There is far too much hit and hope going on in a tournament that should be heaven for football purists.

But the thing that really gets me going is the play-acting and diving.

I read that UEFA are supposed to be clamping down on this disgraceful act, yet in every game someone is rolling around as though they have been shot by a sniper in row Z.

It's pathetic, but until these players are tried by video evidence it will continue to be the scourge of the game.

Thankfully, it won't be too long before we turn our attentions back to domestic matters.

The new manager, Steve Cotterill, seems to be quietly going about his business and it looks like we can expect some new signings pretty soon.

Like most Burnley fans, I await the new names with baited breath because he will initially be judged by the quality of players he can attract.

There's certainly no shortage of players at the manager's disposal, so the tools of the trade are definitely out there.

Finances will naturally dictate who Steve can make his moves for, but I like the fact he is an eager young manager with things to prove and once he gets his men, it's then all about knocking together a team ethic on the training ground.

Steve arrives at Turf Moor with an impressive coaching CV, so that is the other area I'm looking forward to seeing some early results.

The First Division - or should that be The Championship? - looks harder than ever next season.

But one thing is certain - it will be a darned sight more entertaining than Euro 2004!