"IT WASN'T much of a spectacle for the crowd" was Stan Ternent's post-match verdict on Saturday's 1-1 bore draw with Millwall.

And as a member of that crowd I am able to confirm that the manager was spot-on with his assessment.

Indeed, the gentle applause which came from the crowd as referee Bates drew proceedings to a halt may have been borne more through relief than any other emotion.

In fairness to the Clarets, the visitors clearly came with a game plan of closing Burnley down, denying them time and space on the ball and generally frustrating the home side.

It's at times like this that you look to your flair players to get things going and create something out of nothing. Unfortunately for the Clarets neither Robbie Blake nor Luke Chadwick were able to impose themselves on the game in the fashion they would have liked.

Blake in particular had a disappointing game. Nothing came off for the little conjurer on Saturday and he looked a lost and forlorn figure as the rain lashed down on Turf Moor.

Another man who may have looked a little crestfallen on Saturday evening was the chairman. Barry Kilby will have noted with more than a little concern that Saturday's attendance failed to make the 10,500 mark.

The number of punters filing through the Turf Moor turnstiles has been steadily dwindling since the start of the season.

On the opening day almost 13,000 watched Burnley play Crystal Palace. Somewhere between that sunny August afternoon and last Saturday somewhere in the region of 2,500 walk-on supporters have decided their time and money is better invested elsewhere.

Kilby will be well aware that an early exit from tonight's Carling Cup may have a detrimental effect on Saturday's gate (although the attendance may be boosted by large travelling numbers from Cardiff). It is not inconceivable that we may see four figure gates at Turf Moor in the not too distant future.

One factor which may persuade the floating punter to spend some money down Harry Potts way is the shock recall of Glen Little.

Like Chadwick and Blake, Glen is the kind of player who people will pay money to see. And anyway, he is as well being back at Turf Moor than at the Reebok. Sam Allardyce has seemed extremely reluctant to have a look at the winger in any situation other than the last few minutes of any given game. Since the start of September Glen will be lucky if he has played half an hour's competitive football.

Where this leaves Burnley regarding the loanees Facey and Farrelly is unknown at the time of writing, but a Burnley side with Glen Little in it is better than one without him. Welcome home, Glen.

STEPHEN CUMMINGS