TIS the season to be jolly. Apparently. Although after four straight defeats, players being booed from the pitch and Graham Branch rounding on the supporters, the maxim may have to be revised.

These are troubled times for the Clarets. As Stan Ternent said in his post-match press conference: "It's been an absolute nightmare year for me." To be fair, Stan, it ain't exactly been a barrel of laughs for the paying punter either. Apart from the FA Cup run there has been precious little for supporters to get excited about over the last 12 months.

Staying upbeat, the manager went on to say that he believes the side is capable of emabarking on a run of six consecutive victories.

Sadly, the statistics suggest otherwise. Between January and December this year, Burnley Football Club won just 12 league games.

As far as winning six on the spin goes, the last time the Clarets achieved that was between mid-November and mid-December 2001 when Watford, Coventry, Grimsby, Crystal Palace, Preston and Stockport were all swept aside. That magnificent run came to an end shortly before we got thumped 5-1 at Maine Road. It was a result our league form has yet to recover from.

Meanwhile, back in the here and now, the Clarets lie one place above the relegation zone following Sunday's defeat.

It was a loss which was hard to stomach, given that Stoke looked very modest opposition and played with 10 men for the last 20 minutes.

The gaffer singled out Graham Branch as being responsible for the goal. But the question many supporters are asking is why was Branch being asked to play as a makeshift centre half whilst other natural defenders in the shape of Jay McEveley and Mark McGregor twiddled their thumbs on the bench?

In fact, in light of the fact that Burnley had shipped 10 goals in their previous three outings, was there not a strong case for McEveley, Roche and McGregor to be given a chance? Defence is the one area of the squad where Ternent is well served.

The non-inclusion of McEveley is particuarly baffling. One is invited to question the rationale of loaning a Premiership player, (who presumably is as good as, or better than what we have), only to have him make cameo appearances.

When given his opportunity, McEveley was composed on the ball and always passed to feet -- not something every Burnley defender tried to do.

Here's hoping the Clarets can kick off 2004 with a Cup win over Mansfield on Saturday. Goodness knows the club could do with a financial shot in the arm which victory might potentially bring. In closing, may I wish you all a happy and prosperous 2004.