A fan's-eye view of the season, with Stephen Cummings

DEPRESSING this weekend, wasn't it? Whilst most teams joined in the annual footballing party more commonly referred to as the FA Cup third round draw, Clarets' supporters were left to lick their wounds, still smarting following our early elimination from the competition at the hands of Rotherham.

Nor was it possible to seek solace by reference to the league table. As we approach mid-season we lie third bottom of Division Two - an indelible fact which means the second half of the current campaign must be viewed more with trepidation than anticipation.

Equally indelible and perhaps more disturbing, is the goals against column. Thirty one defensive lapses from 21 starts does not bode well for the remainder of this term. The statistic would not be such a cause for concern if there was evidence that the problem was being addressed. However, this is patently not the case. Over a third of this season's goals against have been conceded in the last four fixtures. Nor should we ignore the fact that in the same period, Rotherham were allowed to prise us open no fewer than six times - home and away in the FA Cup.

Put simply, we have shipped 17 goals in the last six games. It does not take a football genius to arrive at the conclusion that a team whose back line is breached three times every 90 minutes will be for the drop come season's end. The situation must be remedied immediately.

I believe a re-think is required as regards the position of certain personnel in the team. Chris Brass for instance, is not best suited to his current role as an attacking right back. At centre half, where he played superbly last season, he excels. He is by some measure the best tackler at the club, and his electric pace has enabled him to retrieve seemingly lost causes on more than one occasion. However, he seems to struggle when defending from wide positions.

Paul Weller is similarly out of position at left back. He is neither predominantly left footed, nor defensive minded. The youngster is at his best operating on the right side of midfield, running at the opposition.

If Waddle is to persist with 4-4-2, I believe he would be best served by the following defensive line-up: Chris Vinnicombe at left back, Richard Huxford at right back, with Chris Brass and Steve Blatherwick taking up the centre-half position.

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