THE new 'day job' at Colne means I had to miss the opening game of the season for the first time in quite a few years.

But like most Burnley fans, I would happily have taken a draw before the game.

I know it's great to win your first game, but against a fancied team like Sheffield United a point is something to build on.

The early signs are that the defence is already looking a tighter-knit unit and, if Ian Moore and Robbie Blake can contribute in a similar manner to last year, things are looking brighter.

The one thing that will have hit Steve Cotterill like a sledgehammer last Saturday is the unswerving support folk in and around Burnley have for this great club.

I know opening day gates are normally up on the seasonal averages, but to pack Turf Moor with 17,000 fans will have shown Steve they will get right behind this team no matter what.

Just imagine what could happen if he can somehow get the team up into the top half of the table.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves though because now comes the real acid test for this new-look Burnley side - two away games!

The away form was nothing short of dismal last season and, if anything, the fixture list this year is even more frightening.

But tonight's game at Rotherham, followed by Saturday's trip to Watford will be arguably two of the easier games Burnley will get away from Turf Moor.

But this team already looks to have a steely side to it and seems much harder to beat, so if they could grab all three points tonight everything suddenly looks a whole lot rosier in the garden and the mood is upbeat.

I'm remaining quite optimistic for the long months ahead because the players Steve has brought in are all better than the ones who have left.

I would have settled for any of the five new faces as an improvement and already fans are seeing the benefits.

Injuries to key players will be the one problem Steve will struggle to overcome, but as he says, there is nothing he can do about that other than cross his fingers and pray nothing serious rears its ugly head.

Talking of injuries, it's been a frustrating week for yours truly.

I've scored a couple of goals for Colne already, but I've picked up an annoying little groin strain at the moment that kept me sidelined last weekend.

I should be fine for Saturday's big kick-off at home to Trafford though, so if any of you Burnley fans are not heading for Watford, hopefully I'll see a few familiar faces at Holt House.

Mine's a hat-trick!