Blank weekends in the football calendar are rarely welcomed by any supporter. But you sense that on this particular occasion the claret and blue faithful might just have appreciated a break from what has been a discouraging beginning to the 2012/13 campaign.

Despite opening the season in the grand manner by sending everyone’s favourite pantomime villain home with his tail firmly between his legs, Burnley have turned in a string of performances that have left more questions than answers.

Three straight defeats, during which they have conceded eight goals, an unconvincing cup victory over a struggling League Two side and an increasingly sour atmosphere at Turf Moor was not the start anyone connected with the club was looking for.

Still, there are some positives. Grim it undoubtedly was, but at least the Clarets made it through to the next round of the Capital One Cup, Danny Ings will be back sooner rather than later and at least Charlie Austin is still scoring.

That said, the early over-reliance on Austin – four goals in six games – is already a little disconcerting. Danny Ings may well be ahead of his recovery schedule, but it will be at least another three months before he returns to action.

Sam Vokes has yet to show any kind of form to suggest that his name will appear in a chart of leading goal-scoring.

And although Martin Paterson’s reputation continues to grow with every game he doesn’t play, it’s worth remembering that his torn hamstrings have confined him to just two hours of football and a single goal so far this season.

In other words, it would be unwise to expect too much from the Irishman.

So Eddie Howe needs to look elsewhere.