STEVE Cotterill admits recent defeats have put a slight dampener on Burnley's start to the season.

The Clarets sit 11th in the Championship following Saturday's 2-1 home reverse to Colchester, but have the opportunity to storm back up the table in tonight's Roses clash.

Barnsley make the journey across the Pennines as the Clarets bid to arrest a run of three straight Turf Moor defeats.

Despite the setback against the U's, Burnley boss Cotterill explained his side are in a better position than some of the league's bigger names.

The likes of Leeds, Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday are all trailing behind after half a dozen games.

"We haven't had a bad start to the season," said Cotterill. "But because we've had a couple of setbacks, it puts a little bit of a dampener on the promising start.

"I'd be the last person to think that we wouldn't want to build on our good start. It's still been a better start than most and there are a lot of bigger clubs than us that are below us in the table. We've got to remember that.

"But we are okay. The result overshadows the performance on Saturday because the performance was alright. I've looked at it again and the performance is far better than the result. If we carry on performing, the results will come.

"We feel a bit disappointed with the result, but we have an opportunity now of trying to put that right.

"I thought our boys showed good character and mental strength. We've got to make sure we keep that and keep their confidence up nice and high."

The Clarets are unbeaten on their travels this term, following a victory at Leicester and draws with Sheffield Wednesday and Crystal Palace.

Last season, they boasted one of the best home records in the Championship with just six sides tasting more home wins, but it has proved a disappointing start at Turf Moor this time around.

Cotterill added: "I think, after last season when everyone harped on about the away form, sometimes seasons go like that.

"Your home form can be a grind, and your away form can be very good.

"So far we've been a reverse of how we were last year, but if we keep on picking up the points wherever we are, it's the points that matter.

"It's always nice to win at home, and we had a record here last year that was as good as Watford, who ended up being promoted "Of course we want to win at home, but we want to win wherever we are.

"But it's still very early in the season and we just need to carry on with a positive performance against Barnsley."