“It’s just people switching off and losing concentration and we are continually getting punished for it.”

Eddie Howe’s post-match assessment of Burnley’s latest bout of terrifyingly bad defending is now becoming a familiar and irritating mantra.

The cycle goes something like this.

The Clarets put in the kind of defensive shift which would cause embarrassment amongst Rosegrove Mixed Infants XI third team, the manager then rues the perform-ance and assures us the problem is being taken in hand and then it happens all over again.

One pities those hardy supporters who made the long trip to Ashton Gate.

The footage shown on The Football League Show was best viewed after a couple of snifters.

Even with such fortification, the pictures were still enough to send the Burnley faithful diving for cover behind the sofa.

The manner of this defeat had little to do with Derek McInnes’ recent arrival as Bristol City boss.

While it’s fair to say that the appointment of a new man at the helm would have given players and supporters a shot in the arm, it was nothing compared to the boost they got from the Clarets’ “fill your boots” defending.

It’s worth remembering that prior to Burnley’s visit, the Robins were winless at Ashton Gate, having scored just four home goals in seven games, or 10-and-a-half hours. On Saturday, they helped themselves to three in a little over 30 minutes.

In Howe’s defence, pun intended, the rug has been pulled from beneath him with pressure from above to move on the big earners.

Nor can one imagine him being thrilled at the departure of Danny Fox.

That said, Howe has yet to demonstrate that he can organise a defensive unit. Nor have his additions to the back line inspired confidence. Ben Mee’s displays have been hit and miss and while Kieran Trippier bombs on to good effect, the defensive aspect of his game remains unconvincing.

Yet the current defensive malaise is merely a symptom of the bigger problems throughout the team. For all the manager has reduced the average age of the squad, the same can be said for the quality.

Nor, other than making the team younger, does there appear to be any discernable game-plan. If there is, it remains remarkably well-hidden.

These are unnerving times to be a supporter of Burnley FC: a club seemingly drifting aimlessly to who knows where.