Neil Bramwell speaks out

CHRIS Waddle has not so much had a baptism of fire as a ducking in the River Hades.

His first few weeks in the manager's hot seat have already proved the devilishly difficult nature of his chosen profession.

The path leading from this version of footballing Hell is sure to be riddled with pitfalls.

So the last thing he needs at the moment is the type of knee-jerk knocks that can only impede much-needed progress in the right direction.

It was only last year that I wrote in complete bewilderment about the abusive reaction of certain sections of the Burnley crowd to young players such as Paul Weller and Paul Smith.

When the abuse subsided, these players grew in confidence and developed into the club's brightest young assets.

There are parallels with the current situation. Incredibly, Waddle's men were being booed off the field at half-time during the game with Bristol Rovers.

But, while Waddle has a wealth of experience in the playing side of the game, he is still cutting his teeth in management.

And, at this stage of his own development, confidence is as crucial as the basic skills of the trade. Clearly there are problems, not least a poor run of luck on the field and with injuries.

But, while a nine-game run without a win in the middle of the season would not go unnoticed, it would not spark some of the mild hysteria already surfacing.

Having said all this, Waddle himself needs to exercise a similar degree of restraint.

His bleating about the need for more cash to buy players has something of a hollow ring to it.

He surely knew the financial situation of the club when taking the reins.

Unless the rampant rumour of an impending takeover becomes hard fact, Waddle should know that the books have to balance.

And the money he has already spent on new arrivals does not amount to peanuts.

A complete and rapid revolution in personnel can rip the heart out of any club and a period of consolidation might now prove more fruitful.

There is little doubt the Clarets have the talent and resources to dig themselves out of trouble

But it is vital that everyone is tunnelling in the same direction.

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