Rarely, if ever, has Steve Cotterill sounded as frustrated as he did in the post-match press conference at Ninian Park; frustrated by the attitude of some of his players, frustrated at not being able to bring in new faces and frustrated at the prospect of losing Ade Akinbiyi.

"I work my socks off for them" he fumed, adding that a few of them needed to take a look at themselves.

The truth is that Burnley's performances from Christmas to Cardiff have been patchy at best.

Against Stoke and Norwich, the Clarets were guilty of turning up only for the second half - "asleep" was Cotterill's verdict on his side's first half display at Carrow Road.

When Sheffield Wednesday came to Turf Moor, Burnley's attitude was way too casual.

And whilst Cotterill's charges put on improved displays at QPR and Derby, the good work was undone at Ninian Park.

At least part of the problem is that when the team needs freshening up, as it so clearly has done during the last few games, Cotterill has little room for manoeuvre.

Already working with the smallest squad in the Championship, he is further hamstrung by not being able to bring in new faces and change the team around.

Since the transfer window re-opened, most of Burnley's rivals have been signing, or been linked with new players.

Cardiff, not a club who could be said to be awash with cash, had new arrivals Ricardo Scimeca, Guy Ndumbu-Nsungu and Steve Thompson on display.

Cotterill must be equal parts envious and frustrated that he is at the one club in the division not playing the transfer market.

As other managers wheel and deal, the gaffer is reduced to "reading the papers to see if we're selling Ade Akinbiyi."

If he was reading some of the football press on Sunday his dark mood would not have been at all brightened by reports that Neil Warnock is putting together a £1.75m bid for Burnley's hitman.

Losing the striker would be an almighty blow, but could be softened by Cotterill being handed the money to bring in a suitable replacement or replacements.

However, given that the club claim to be losing £1m a year, a spending-spree would seem highly unlikely.

The bigger worry amongst supporters is that if Akinbiyi does go, and funds are not made available, not only would it signal the end of any play-off challenge, it may well signal the end of Steve Cotterill's reign at Turf Moor.