IT'S been going on for a number of weeks now. A few voices of dissent in the stands. The occasional caller on the local radio phone-in. You can hardly call it a clamour at the moment, yet nevertheless there is a growing body of opinion which believes that Ian Moore should be dropped.

The vehemence of these views varies. For example, one supporter called a phone-in show on Saturday evening to suggest that Moore should be (as he rather euphemistically put it) 'rested'.

Whereas down on the terraces at Gillingham a few games ago, one fan was heard to yell, "well done, Ternent! You've paid £1million for someone who can run!"

The comment was as unfair as it was inaccurate. Because for this writer at least, Ian Moore is vital to the Clarets cause.

The difficulty for the player is that from day one he has had three major obstacles to overcome.

Firstly, he is Burnley Football Club's record signing. As such the expectation level is higher than for other players. Secondly, he cost £1 million -- a milestone at the time, yet rapidly developing into a millstone.

Because for some of the less patient supporters, if you cost that sort of cash then you'd better be able to perform miracles -- or at the very least be capable of doing the impossible.

Thirdly, and in Moore's case critically, he is a striker. And strikers for better or worse tend to be judged primarily on one thing -- goals. For some, it seems that because our number 16 has not been scoring with regularity, he should be omitted.

Similar accusations were levelled at Andy Cooke a couple of seasons ago. And the counter argument now is as valid as it was then i.e. look at the other ways in which he contributes.

Opposition defences for instance are terrified of his electric pace. He can beat a man. Then there are the number of free kicks he wins for the side.

And had Mr Cain and his assistants been watching on Friday night, he would also have won us a penalty.

In the same way that Andy Payton would not have been prolific as he was without the industrious Cooke, Taylor would not be enjoying his current success without the effervescent Moore.

And like Payton and Cooke, Taylor and Moore are a striking partnership , and if you look at the Division One table, it would seem to be working just fine.