NEVER mind the loneliness of the long distance runner - what about the loneliness of the inexperienced goalkeeper.

It was hard not to feel sympathy for the Clarets replacement keeper Luigi Cennamo.

He was flung into the glare of the FA Cup spotlight at Cheltenham and ended up looking like a rabbit trapped by oncoming headlights.

Once he replaced fellow Greek Nik Michopoulos it looked as if he had never seen his back four before, never mind trained with them, and the result was inevitable. Whaddon upset!

It is little wonder that goalkeepers are talked of as a breed apart. When they finally get the chance to show what they can do they face the prospect of being an instant hero or an immediate villain.

Once Cennamo had let in two goals inside nine minutes, his place in the dock was ensured.

It could have been so different.

Chris Woods went on to become an England international after bursting onto the big stage for Nottingham Forest in a League Cup final at Wembley.

Aston Villa's Nigel Spink picked an even bigger game, the 1982 European Cup final against Real Madrid, to launch his impressive career.

But the problem with being the number one at any club is exactly that, there is only ever one.

If you are an outfield player you have the opportunity to fill a number of different roles and also come on as a sub.

That is a luxury not afforded to keepers.

Had Cennamo made a great save to keep Russell Milton's free kick and then come to claim the ball from giant Julian Alsop's head he could have made the keeper's jersey his own.

He didn't, his confidence is now shot to pieces and Stan Ternent has to bring in an experienced stopper for a run of games that could decide the Clarets' fate this season.

It is now several weeks since the Turf Moor faithful saw their side produce the goods, arguably the best recent display being in the first half at Manchester City where they went in for the break 4-0 down!

Even against lowly Stockport County they were second best but I recall thinking at the time that the side had just forgotten how to lose.

Now is the time for them to start remembering how to win!

The arrival of Robbie Blake could not be more timely as he is just the type of player that can galvanise his team mates with a spark of magic, a touch of creativity, something out of the ordinary.

Should he recover from his stomach strain in time to face West Brom on Sunday he will have the chance to do the opposite to Cennamo - become an instant Turf Moor hit and not a miss.