FOR THOSE amongst you who wish to get carried away, Saturday's victory might be interpreted as a good omen.

The last time the Clarets took maximum points at Layer Road, they went on to win promotion.

For the less ludicrously optimistic, it was still a highly impressive result for the Clarets.

The U's nearly stormed the play-offs on the back of their home form last term, so to go and turn them over on their own patch is not a result to be sniffed at.

There were a number of positives. First and foremost, it was another three points.

Secondly, Burnley recorded their first away victory of the campaign, which, psychologically, is a massive boost.

And thirdly, Andy Gray has underlined his reputation as one of the Championship's premier marksmen.

His tally now stands at five goals in as many games. Carry on in his current rich vein of form and 20 for the season should be a cinch.

If there is one worry about Gray, it is that the team are over-dependent on him. Against WBA, Grimsby and Colchester, the Scotsman's goals proved vital.

Still, debut strikes for the season for both Blake and Akinbiyi in last week's Carling Cup victory suggest that the Clarets should have a more potent arsenal than last season.

At the other end of the pitch, it has long been an open secret that Burnley have been desperately in need of a right-back.

In the absence of a natural player in that position, Michael Duff has acquitted himself reasonably well.

Yet full-back is a specialist position. They see more of the ball than their central defensive team-mates and need to be comfortable and composed in possession.

So welcome to Turf Moor Graham Alexander.

The former Preston skipper's arrival surprised supporters. Having been at Deepdale since 1999, when he turned down Stan Ternent's advances in favour of David Moyes, most Clarets, and presumably most Lillywhites, assumed that Alexander would see out his career at PNE.

And at 35, some supporters have raised an eyebrow at the £200,000 price tag and the accompanying two-year contract.

Still, Steve Cotterill clearly believes the Scotland right-back still has the legs for the Championship, as evidenced by his decision to deploy him in midfield on Saturday.

Still, it is surely more likely that Alexander will play most games for Burnley further back on the pitch.

And for the first time in a very long time, the Clarets have a bona fide right-back.