AND so to Barnsley, the land that gave us Michael Parkinson, Dickie Bird and, less famously, Toby Tyke.

For those of you unfamiliar with the latter, Toby Tyke is Barnsley's answer to Bertie Bee.

But it is there that any similarities end. Whereas Bertie buzzes, bounces and bodypops, Toby is much more introverted. The eight foot cloth canine wears, appropriately enough, a hangdog expression and on Saturday was unenthusiastically skulking around Oakwell as though he knew the vet was on his way with a lethal injection.

In truth the mascots were the perfect metaphor for the performance of their respective teams. Burnley were quick and sharp, brimming with inventiveness, old tricks and flicks. Barnsley meanwhile made a base comedy of the art of defending and suggested a bankrupt imagination on their few forays forward.

Saturday's was an excellent performance. And given that this was the second away fixture that Burnley dominated in the space of four days, we can safely say the sticky patch is over.

Glen Little, now reaping the benefit of match fitness, has rediscovered his box of tricks, many of which he deployed to devastating effect. Paul Weller, fired by the hunger a spell on the sidelines produces, combined well down the left with Lee Briscoe.

Briscoe incidentally, had one of his finest games in a Burnley shirt. Aside from his deathly chipped goal assist, Brisser was a constant menace.

Also worthy of mention is Kevin Ball. The transference of a captain's armband from Ian Cox has lifted the midfielder's game. It is only a shame he could not direct his second half header a yard either side of Kevin Miller. A goal would have been just reward for his and Burnley's efforts.

Play the same way against Rotherham tonight, and there is no reason why the Clarets cannot return with the points.

Now, a couple of weeks ago, my fellow scribe generously devoted some column inches to Burnley's FA Cup defeat. It is only right that I reciprocate the gesture by noting that if Simon peeks out from beneath his fringe, he will see that whereas Burnley are just out of the Cup, Blackburn Rovers clown academy (currently pratfalling their way down the Premiership) are clearly out of their league. Never mind, Simon, we can exchange waves as we pass at the end of the season.