IF ONLY every Saturday afternoon could be like that. Gorgeous weather, great atmosphere, terrific game and, of course, three precious, precious points for the Clarets.

Naturally, one could have done without the nerve-jangling, stomach-knotting tension which hung around Turf Moor between 3 and 5 O'Clock, but then you can't have everything.

Much of that tension will have been released on Saturday evening, as thousands of Burnley supporters will have looked at the tables on Ceefax without having to peek between their fingers, as has been the case in recent weeks.

Granted, the Clarets are not yet technically safe. But it would require a pretty freakish combination of results over the final two weekends of the season to send Burnley Football Club tail-spinning down into Division Two.

The vital win over Derby provided one of those rare instances where it would be unfair, if not impossible, to select a man of the match. Everyone did their job, and did it well.

Yet, as always in times of crisis, a hero emerges. And quite often it's the most unlikely of candidates. Step forward Graham Branch. This has been a trying season for the player. Having won round the supporters last term by proving himself a solid if unspectacular left back, Branch has incurred the wrath of the boo boys this campaign by proving himself neither solid nor unspectacular as a centre half.

In fairness to him, he has been doing the manager and the side a favour by stepping into the breach when needs must. So it proved again last week. In the absence of the injured Ian Moore, Branch was pushed into attack -- with explosive results.

His goal against Franchise FC a week ago may have been simple enough, but credit him for having the nous to be in the right place at the right time. And his effort against Derby would have done any striker proud as he chased down the defender, out-muscled him and curled the ball into the bottom corner with aplomb.

Finally this week, a mystery. How on earth did Robbie Blake miss out on inclusion in the Division One PFA team of the season? No one would deny that both Crystal Palace's Andy Johnson and Cardiff City's Robert Earnshaw have enjoyed good seasons, but are their achievements any greater than those of Robbie?

I think not.