WITH his side still bottom of the table and without a point, Stan Ternent had a simple message for his players.

"In times of adversity you just have to roll you sleeves up and get on with it," he said.

"Things will be fine and all we need is a little break."

He will be hoping that the breaks start going the Clarets way from tomorrow when they make the long trip to Reading because the luck was certainly against them on Saturday.

Sheffield United's 1-0 win came courtesy of Iffy Onuora's deflected first half goal despite a determined second half display that saw Burnley's players do everything but score.

"It is sometimes better to have been born lucky than born skilful," he complained. "In the second half we had them on the ropes but just couldn't get a goal.

"We hit the woodwork twice and had one off the line," added an exasperated Ternent who saw an improved display, especially after the break, end with his side beaten for the third successive game.

"We have had a setback but all we have got to do is keep showing the same commitment and spirit and we will be okay. When we play Reading they have to play the same way they did in the second half against Sheffield United.

"At the moment we are having a really bad time of it and everything that can go against us is. But things have a habit of levelling out over the season.

"The only way is up - I hope!"

Ternent was this morning surveying his walking wounded as he put together his squad for tomorrow night's game at the Madejski Stadium.

Lee Briscoe is the latest player to be struggling after hobbling off early on in Saturday's match with a shin injury.

His versatility makes it even more of a blow that he is now doubtful, especially given the fact that skipper Steve Davis missed the clash with the Blades and remains a doubt for tomorrow.

But the loss of the influential defender was in part off-set by a superb display in the heart of the back four by Mark McGregor who has now made three League starts for the Clarets, each time in a different position.

Ternent was full of praise for the former Wrexham defender who has played in both full back positions as well as alongside Ian Cox in the middle.

He was also pleased with the way Lennie Johnrose, who returned on a month long contract the day before the game, slipped straight back into the action with a typically combative display that helped shake-up Burnley after the interval.

He hit the bar with a header having supplied the cross that saw Gareth Taylor head against the post.

But lack of luck or not, the fact remains that Burnley now need to kick-start their season at Reading tomorrow.

Golf legend Gary Player always said that the more he practised the luckier he got. Ternent will be hoping that his players hard work will get similar rewards, sooner rather than later.