TEN minutes after the final whistle, an announcement informed us that the players would not be coming back out to show their appreciation because some of the supporters had invaded the pitch. What twaddle!

In truth, the players were cowering in the dressing room, fearful of what might happen to them if they dared to show their faces so soon after yet another pathetic and spineless collapse.

Only Taylor, Branch, O'Neill and Chaplow would have escaped the lynch mob.

The natives are growing increasingly restless.

As the sixth and seventh goals flew in (I can scarcely believe I have written that), many disgruntled punters threw their season tickets to the pitch. A pyrrhic gesture? I think not.

Many of those who reacted in such a way will not be found in the ticket office renewing for next season. Which is wholly understandable.

We have the worst defence in the division, we can't win a game to save our lives, and our best player is currently leading Reading's promotion charge.

What, exactly, are the incentives to draw in those who may feel tempted to trade in afternoon's at Turf Moor for a less depressing scenario? The return of Alan Moore?

Meanwhile, Ternent has one unholy mess to sort out. It has been clear for some time that the manager has been unable to cajole, inspire or bully performances from a good number of his charges.

Either he cannot find the right words or the players to not hear him.

"I can't wait for the summer so I can build a new team," he said on Saturday.

On the one hand, this is encouraging as it is a public acknowledgement that a lot of his players aren't good enough. But it may not be that easy.

The priority this summer will be trimming the wage bill. Who knows what Ternent will be left to play with? Time will tell.

Finally, farewell to Andy Payton and Paul Cook, two players who have served the club well.

Cook's performances may have waned recently, yet his arrival at Turf Moor proved the catalyst for the club's revival.

As for Payts - well the man is a legend.

He represented supporters boyhood dreams. A local lad playing and scoring for his home town club. His goals helped save the club from relegation, fire them to promotion and establish Burnley in this division.

The Padiham Predator score 81 goals in 131 starts. That says it all.

I know that all Burnley supporters will want to place on record their thanks to both players for their efforts.