This is now my team - Ternent

The Turf Moor boss had created some controversy last season, in the wake of a heavy defeat at Fulham, by making the point that the Clarets team on view was - at that time - not really of his making.

And he pledged that, once it was, he would be prepared to put his faith in it.

The moment of truth is about to arrive and Ternent oozed confidence about the club's prospects in Second Division.

After a summer's wheeling and dealing, Ternent expects his new-look squad to deliver the goods this season and is anticipating a major improvement on last season's troubled start to his Clarets reign.

"That's my team now so I expect them to deliver - and I'm sure they will," insisted Ternent ahead of the first test of the new campaign at Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday.

"I certainly feel we are a million miles in front of what I inherited last season, but again that's only my opinion.

Ternent has turned the club upside down since taking charge 14 months ago, having made over 20 new signings.

Some of them have subsequently moved on, along with the players he didn't want when he replaced Chris Waddle.

That has left the Clarets with a powerful-looking squad where the manager will be spoilt for choice in certain areas if the injury jinx that struck last season can be avoided.

He added: "We need a squad of 20, or around about that.

"We're going to strip 16 players for every game so, certainly going to Wycombe, we'll need a squad of 18 if somebody's ill or something like that."

And by bringing in Paul Cook, Tom Cowan, Mitchell Thomas, Dean West, Alan Lee, John Mullin and possibly Martin Smith and Stephen Grant, Ternent has guaranteed fierce competition for places.

"Things can change quickly. You can get a suspension or an injury - loss of form is hopefully eliminated when you get competition for places - but now I'm in a position where I can play different ways, whatever the situation asks so I'm relatively happy at the moment," he said.

Ternent displayed Burnley's versatility during the club's pre-season programme when he never started with the same side, used all of his fit senior players and rotated his formations.

And with the Clarets showing no major teething problems, the manager ruled out the possibility of fitting in a behind-closed doors game this week to smooth off some rough edges.

"No I'm not doing that. I'm happy and that's it," said Ternent.

Burnley Supporters Club away travel: Wycombe Colne 8.45, Nelson 8.55, Queensgate 9.05, Turf Moor 9.15, Tim Bobbin 9.20, Rawtenstall 9.30.

Manchester City: Colne 5.15, Nelson 5.30, Queensgate 5.40, Turf Moor 5.45, Tim Bobbin 5.50, Ratwtenstall 6.00.

For booking details contact: Day 01254 398911, eve 01282 452344.

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