Bramwell Speaks Out - by sports editor Neil Bramwell

BLACKBURN Rovers supporters entered the Lyon ground for last season's UEFA Cup match revelling in the mocking chant "Stan Ternent is a football genius".

While the tag 'genius' could still not be applied, even if his Burnley side fulfil their potential this season and earn promotion, his credentials would no longer be open to mockery from those detractors.

There are also signs that Lady Luck is starting to play her part.

It is often said that the return of a player from long-term injury is as good as a new signing.

Paul Smith slipped quietly back into the first team picture before the recent glut of new arrivals had chance to find their Turf Moor feet with an appearance as sub in the final game at Northampton.

But he could prove to be as potent a weapon as any of manager Stan Ternent's summer buys. This is a player who flourishes with confidence and can prove a match-winner in his own right.

So I have a doubt over whether his natural position is as a full back or wing back.

Smith appears to be at his most effective on the offensive in the role of a classical winger.

That, however, would not seem to fit in with what was Ternent's preferred system at the end of last season when he deployed a 5-3-2 formation.

I also think this strategy can blunt the scintillating attacking skills of Glen Little.

Again, to me, he has always appeared at his most dangerous when hugging the touchline and either swinging in crosses from the bye-line or cutting into the penalty area from wide positions.

The three-man midfield does, of course, provide Little with freedom to roam but it can constrict the team as a whole.

A Burnley four-man midfield, in a formation of 4-4-2 with Smith steaming down the left, Little marauding down the right, Paul Cook pulling the strings and Lenny Johnrose or Gordon Armstrong biting the ankles would be a fearsome prospect.

And it would not affect the balance of the back four severely with Tom Cowan on the left, Dean West on the right, with Steve Davis and Mitchell Thomas erecting the central No Entry sign.

My dark horse tips are Millwall, having strengthened their spine with the astute signings of Paul Moody from Fulham and Sean Dyche from Bristol City.

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