THE jury might still be out for some supporters on Brian Jensen but my advice is: Give him time.

There's no doubt the big Danish goalkeeper got off to a disappointing start for the Clarets, and first impressions can be hard to shake off.

I've heard he's not done badly in away games, which, unfortunately, I've not been able to get to. And it would be unfair for me to judge him on the home performances I've seen at such an early stage of the season.

But it must be quite daunting for him knowing that he is the only goalkeeper in the squad because circumstances are dictating that's all we can afford at the club at the moment.

That means any mistakes he makes are doubled and the major talking points in pubs after the games.

One thing's for sure, he certainly looks the part. He's got a big frame which helps to block a striker's view of goal, and he has shown in the past that he is a quality keeper.

There's no doubt, though, that he and the rest of the team will miss Andy Todd, when he returns to Blackburn after tomorrow's game. I think the central defender has done very well during his loan spell. He came with a reputation of being a hard man but he has played the game honestly.

He's done a great job for us but if Blackburn's injury problems susbside then hopefully he will return.

But there will be even more problems at the back when David May serves his suspension for his double yellow card last weekend, plus he's doubtful for this weekend with the hamstring injury he sustained in midweek.

Stan Ternent will have a big reorganisation mission on his hands when they are both missing because the Clarets haven't really got any cover.

It's hard to predict what the manager might do. Graham Branch and Lee Roche seem the likely duo to shore up the defence now that Arthur Gnohere has been told he can extend his loan at Queens Park Rangers, plus Mark McGregor has been ruled out of a comeback through long-term injury.

No doubt Stan will be working on plenty of options on the training ground.

And he will be keen to get back to winning ways not the Clarets are back on their own patch for the first time in two weeks.

Before the trips to Wimbledon and Watford, I'm sure Burnley would have accepted a point from both games but now the games have been played they'll be kicking themselves a little bit that they didn't pick up maximum points.

A quick glance at the Division One table shows that Burnley would have climbed to sixth position, but that's all ifs and buts.

The important thing is, they're playing some decent football and just need to keep battling away. And if the strikers keep up their form going forward then I'm sure the points will come.

Going back to my original topic of Jensen, his ability to save penalties has left me wondering why strikers are struggling to score them.

Missing penalties was unheard of in my day but now they're being put high, wide and not so handsome by players who are supposed to be world beaters.

Robbie Blake was another culprit on Tuesday night - and that's not the first one he's missed recently.

Maybe it's time for a change of taker because missing spot kicks is a big confidence sapper.

Luke Chadwick could be a candidate because he's flying at the moment.

But, whoever is picked to take the next one, the trick is not to put it two feet high, no matter which side of the keeper you place it because, if he dives the right way, he's capable of blocking it.