IN ANY business, if you lose your best assets then you expect to struggle.

To improve and move forward, you have to speculate to accumulate. Keep adding, refining, moulding, strengthening, reviewing; building on a sound foundation. Get the blocks in place and form a solid, reliable, base.

But when the rug is pulled from under, all that goes out of the window. New rules, new agenda.

The Clarets were denied major financial backing through the collapse of ITV digital. Sixteen players had to be sacrificed - the big hitters, those on big money or at the end of their contracts. When TV revenue was reduced from £2.7m to just half a million, drastic action had to be taken.

On the brighter side, younger, inexperienced players get their chance, which in other circumstances, would be denied. But isn't that how it used to be? What's the whole point of a scouting and coaching system if it's not to bring through the youngsters?

So after all the upheaval, it was refreshing to see the Clarets perform so admirably against an accomplished Preston side in the local derby on Saturday.

It brought back happy memories for me, walking through the gates at Deepdale, of our final game of the 1972-73 season, when we were applauded onto the pitch by the Preston players after winning promotion. The stadium has changed considerably since those days but with a lovely playing surface and fantastic amenities, both sets of players are to be congratulated on producing an absolutely cracking match.

No prima donnas, no tanner ball players, just good pros, willing to put themselves about in representing two great clubs. They deserved all the plaudits.

Teams are involved in this type of game a couple of times a season when mangers have no control over events. A roller coaster of a game where you hold onto your hat, grab hold

of the nearest railing and hope you come through unscathed. Pity it was the Clarets who were on the wrong side of the score-line.

At the blink of an eye, play was switched from one goal mouth to the other. At 3-3 who would have bet against Glen Little slotting in the winner only to be denied by home keeper Jonathan Gould? But then to see the Clarets suffer a double whammy within seconds, Man of the Match Ricardo Fuller scoring his hat-trick goal, was difficult to stomach.

There was so much to admire from this Burnley team. Collectively, I felt they were the better side; plenty of positive, inventive, approach play with Robbie Blake's awareness and intelligent close control causing all kinds of problems just behind the willing runs of Ian Moore.

Industry and invention in the middle of the park, bright moments from Glen Little, the energy of youngster Richard Chaplow and the teams all round endeavour in closing down opponents, denying space and switching to swift counter attacking movements.

They certainly asked Preston plenty of questions.

But with all these attacking options, gaps were left at the back, which the home side exploited and unfortunately, on the day, too many defensive mistakes proved to be their downfall. Christmas presents were handed out a little prematurely!

Brian Jensen's lack of command at the back infiltrated through a fragile defence.

Every player will suffer from a lack of confidence during a season. I remember Joe Corrigan coming to the Turf with Man City in the middle of a poor run of form and being turned over 3-0. It was probably the lowest point in Joe's career but he got back on track through hard work and application. I'm positive that Brian has the character and mental strength to do exactly the same.

But let's not make Brian the fall guy. Probably the biggest problem on the day was being unable to control danger man Fuller, who produced a Premiership type display which will have sent alarm bells ringing amongst many of the top clubs assessing possible transfer targets in January.

This guy was unstoppable on the day. He showed pace, power and touch and was involved in all the best things for Preston, a constant thorn to the Burnley rearguard.

If only every game was like this - the stadiums would be filled to the rafters with the Sold Out signs appearing weeks in advance.