AFTER his morons jibe Stan Ternent was at it again last week lashing out with another verbal volley.

Who had earned his wrath this time?

Was it the highly paid players who had followed up their poor run of League form with an FA Cup defeat against a Third Division side? No.

I know, it was it the officials -- they're popular post match press conference targets for beaten managers.

Wrong again.

Well it must be the Press. I mean I hear Stan's had the odd run-in with some of my colleagues in the past.

Strike three.

No this time -- and for the second time in a matter of weeks -- Ternent's blast was aimed at Burnley fans.

So what was their crime this time?

They had jeered Ternent's decision to take off penalty ace Andy Payton as a shoot-out loomed.

As it happened Payton was injured

But it was Stan who was hurt.

It was all a far cry from when Ternent was carried on the shoulders of Burnley supporters at Glanford Park just eight months earlier after guiding the Clarets to promotion.

So why has the relationship hit the rocks in such a short space of time?

The thing that strikes me as staggering is not the fact that Burnley fans booed a manager's decision.

I've been to games at Old Trafford this season when United season ticket holders have questioned their manager's abilities in between the bites of the prawn butties.

Jeering and moaning is a football fan's perogative - always has been as long as I can remember.

So no, the booing doesn't really shock me.

What's surprising about this episode is Stan's reaction to it.

Surely he's thick-skinned enough to handle a bit of stick.

And he's been in the game long enough to know that you lash out at your fans at your peril.

So why did he do it?

Is he getting weary of the pressures of managing a goldfish bowl club like Burnley.

He has little to prove from a professional point of view.

Whatever the reason it will be interesting to see how the relationship develops.

As it stands I'm sure Stan is simply determined to make the boo boys eat their words.

And just looking at his track record I wouldn't bet against him in he long run.

But if he is to take the club higher it would be nice if he were to take the fans with him.

And maybe the terrace experts might be prepared to show a bit more patience -- it's not as though he hasn't earned it.

Remember Glanford Park the first time around -- it was only eight months ago.