USUALLY around this time of the season, the Clarets are either fending off relegation or, more recently, mounting a promotion challenge. But for the first time in a long while, Burnley supporters have experienced a quiet Easter.

On the plus side, this has meant that we have been able to cast a relaxed eye over the top and bottom of the Division One table, as fans of other clubs sweat it out. On the downside, well it's just not the same spending Easter without that stomach-knotting tension, is it?

Still, that having been said, the Bank Holiday period did throw up a couple of positive things to talk about. Firstly, Graham Branch, by some distance the most improved player of this strange season, is now in serious danger of "doing an Andy Farrell," by appearing in every position for the club.

Branchy has, of course, yet to don the keeper's jersey. But with both Michopolous and Beresford out of contract at the end of the season, it is a possibility which should not be hastily ruled out.

Joking aside, Branch's recent performances at the heart of Burnley's defence have been highly impressive. Against Gillingham for example, I lost count of the number of times that Branch was in the right place at the right time with a vital header, block or last-ditch tackle. Little wonder that Crusty walked away with the sponsor's man of the match award.

Yet Branch's performance was not the only one which was worthy of note. With safety assured, many Burnley supporters have been calling on the manager to inject some interest into the flagging campaign by giving some of the club's youngsters a run-out.

To a degree Stan Ternent's hand has been forced by an ever-growing injury list, but the gaffer certainly responded to the calls for more youth. Against both Gillingham and Forest, no less than five of the club's kids played some part in proceedings.

Whilst Messrs Waine, Leeson and Rasmussen were generally confined to cameo appearances, both Matty O'Neill and Richard Chaplow have played major roles. It's fair to say that neither player disappointed.

With his phenomenal ability to throw a ball further than I can kick it, O'Neill can justly claim an assist in both Taylor's and Diallo's goals against Gillingham. Yet just as impressive was 18-year-old Richard Chaplow. Frankly, the teenager plays with a maturity which belies his tender years.

Against Gillingham he rarely looked flustered when in possession and always looked to make intelligent use of the ball. Two days later in Nottingham, one moment of cool composure had the Forest defence chasing shadows as the youngster all but opened the scoring.

With just two games of the season remaining, let's hope that youth is given an extended run in the first eleven. After all, they've let no-one down so far.