NEW Year and a new start. At least that's what we're all hoping. I think it's fair to say there's only one man who will be happier then me to see the end of 2003 from a footballing point of view - and that's Stan Ternent.

But he is the one now charged with restoring morale and spirit to a team that seems to have lost all the fight in its belly.

What I saw against Stoke was was probably the lowest of the low and certainly not a Ternent team.

I watched players' heads drop far too easily and at one point Mo Camara and David May fell out and were having a slanging match with each other.

You don't want to see that at any time, never mind in front of your own fans while they are feeling like a stuffed turkey.

It's hardly surprising the boos rang out from some sections and although I have some sympathy with Graham Branch following his comments, the players themselves have to earn respect.

But let's not get bogged down in any witch hunt. This is a time for everyone pulling in the same direction and Stan and his backroom staff have a vital part to play in that.

They are where the spirit comes from in the dressing room and every ounce of their skill is now needed to stop things getting any worse.

I'm still confident - make that 200 per cent confident - that we will get out of trouble under Stan's guidance.

His record speaks for itself and he is bogged down by so much having gone on around him in the past 12 months.

But we are not alone and football can change from one moment to the next. Just look at Nottingham Forest, just one place above Burnley in the First Division table after winning just two games in 20 since they dished out a bit of a hammering at Turf Moor way back in September.

Now that's what you call freefall!

Blackburn are another example. I actually saw them at home to Aston Villa recently and came back warning all my mates they could end up being relegated. What happens next? They go to Newcastle and grab an unlikely win to ease the pressure.

Nobody wants to think of Burnley being relegated, but it will remain a frighteningly real possibility until Stan works the oracle and lifts those flagging spirits.

An injection of money might help, but even the fixture list is trying to ensure that doesn't happen.

Another away draw in the cup means that for the third time this season, in my reckoning, we will be left with a three week gap between home games.

It's farcical situation, more so now that so many clubs are living hand to mouth. One home game in January is nothing short of scandalous when players wages still have to be paid.

Why we can't have one home game then one away game is totally beyond me!

Happy New Year everyone.