GOALS don’t just change games, they have led to Burnley’s season so far continually changing course.

Just when Eddie Howe thinks they are steering in the right direction, a softly conceded goal hits them like a tidal wave.

Michael Duff could be back to steady the ship at the weekend after recovering from a troublesome medial knee ligament problem, which would be a timely boost seeing as the Clarets’ stern has come under particular scrutiny.

Since the season kicked off there have been four different central defensive partnerships. Kieran Trippier has been the only ever-present in the back four.

It’s no wonder the battle for consistency is one they have yet to win when that battle has been complicated by loss of fitness or form.

Burnley have also been criticised for dubbing down the decibels, which the changes at the back may also account for.

That’s where Duff, should he return to face Leeds, could play the most key part. In his comeback game in the reserves last Tuesday he was a constant voice, guiding his young second string team-mates to a 6-0 thrashing of Morecambe.

The finger of blame should not just be pointed at the defence, however.

Don’t forget it was from a Burnley attack that the Robins broke to kill the game at Ashton Gate.

The midfield need to be taking more responsibility and backing up the back four.

The gameplan could work with the firepower of Charlie Austin, Jay Rodriguez and Ross Wallace aren’t short of goals.

Holding midfielders have worked for the Clarets in the past. Either Chris McCann or Marvin Bartley – or both – are capable of filling that role, but that partnership remains a work in progress. They need to learn to stick or twist. If one gambles on a forward run, the other must hang back for security.

The Clarets haven’t got a monopoly on mistakes though, in what Duff has described as the hardest Championship season he has experienced.

Leeds have been just as fallible. Take a 5-0 home defeat to Blackpool, for example.

But when the two teams resume – against each other – this weekend, Burnley need to swim, not sink.