EXPECTATIONS were high with the number of new signings made since the last time Burnley played at Turf Moor, but unfortunately they weren't lived up to.

I said at the start of the season that the team needed an out-and-out right back, and I think that was obvious again on Tuesday night.

Frank Sinclair and Wayne Thomas have been tried there, Michael Duff's been there for a season but his best position is centre-half. All three had a go at it at some stage in the Stoke City game.

But what is needed is someone who is happy there. Someone who is a natural right-back.

Steve Cotterill has said before that he feels they are hard to come by. However, news that the Clarets boss is looking to strengthen his back line in general by having his bid for Sunderland's Steve Caldwell accepted is a boost.

But another thing that stood out to me in midweek was a lack of sharpness up front. Perhaps Ade Akinbiyi will spark improvements there with more games under his belt and, therefore, more match fitness.

But the Clarets have gone over eight hours without a Championship goal and that is a worry for any striker. To go just one game without a goal is a long time, and the lack of goals is something we need to address.

We had half chances on Tuesday night that could have been gobbled up, but they weren't taken.

New signing Joey Gudjonsson has a reputation of scoring from midfield, but we didn't see enough from him against Stoke.

But while they will all, no doubt, be desperate to play this weekend and not spend another Saturday watching the results come in, I think it is perhaps a blessing that Burnley have a free weekend to give Steve more time with his players to get the new faces fully integrated into the team.

Teams who are flying want to keep playing, but I think at this time, for Burnley, they will welcome the chance to re-group.

Time is slowly beginning to run out before the transfer window shuts but chances are there will be further additions to the squad in the coming days. Steve has already made a number of astute signings and it's pleasing that the board have given him the funds to go and get players.

I'm sure they'll be spending a lot of time on the training ground getting to know each other's games and preparing for what will be a tough game at Derby next week.

On a positive note from Tuesday, it was pleasing to see Danny Coyne take his place on the bench. That's a good sign.

Also, I thought Mike Pollitt did well on his home debut and he would have been my man of the match.