A fan's-eye view from Turf Moor, with Stephen Cummings

HALF-WAY through the second half of the Clarets' emphatic defeat of Colchester United last Saturday, the man in the row in front of me turned to his friend.

"You know," he said, "if they keep this up they'll be safe by Christmas."

After spending half of the nineties involved in relegation battles, you could almost see his point. For too many seasons, safety has been the height of Burnley's ambition.

But things are changing. Admittedly, Saturday's three points came courtesy of a Colchester United side who looked as if they would struggle to get a 0-0 from a tussle with the Faroe Island's Mixed Infants XI. But that aside, there are a host of reasons to regard the Clarets as genuine promotion contenders this time around.

Chief amongst these is the return of Fortress Turf Moor. The thousands are now turning up at Brunshaw Road actually expecting the Clarets to win, in stark contrast to the last few seasons in the abyss.

Equally encouraging is that three of the four home wins have been against outfits who have traditionally been there or thereabouts come the final reckoning. Chesterfield, Stoke City and Bournemouth are as good a yardstick as any. The other two victories are also significant. Both Oldham Athletic and Colchester United looked poor sides when Burnley played them. They are exactly the kind of teams who look destined for the drop. They also happen to be exactly the kind of teams who the Clarets have struggled to beat in recent history.

A further reason to be cheerful is the goals against column. Shipping only four goals in eight games is the kind of statistic which might even draw envious glances from Highbury. For example, Burnley have conceded as many goals in 720 minutes of football this season as they did in a 43 minute spell against Gillingham last term. Enough said.

Still not convinced? Well, did you see the bench on Saturday? Alan Lee, Lenny Johnrose, John Mullin, Ronnie Jepson and Tom Cowan. Who in the division can match that?

And if you think I'm getting carried away - you're right. And why not? Stan Ternent and the players have, between them, taken us to the top of the league. And in the process they've given us a new belief and a new set of expectations.

Safe by Christmas? Fair enough, but what about promoted by April and Champions by May?

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.