Squad Set

As clubs became frantic in the transfer window, scrambling til the cut off, which was apparently extended by ten minutes for the Cashley Cole move to Chelsea, the Turf Moor doors remained firmly shut, with manager Steve Cotterill happy with his lot.

In recent years, the Clarets have scrambled for players right to the line, bringing in enforcements for the team or squad, but not this year.

For the first time in a while, all seems to be well for the Clarets, with a squad established, and settled, a more relaxed, confident vibe is felt around Turf Moor.

The club has started the season well, with only the disappointing performance in the home defeat to Wolves acting as a blip, and the Clarets have looked much meaner offensively, with the trio of signings Gray, Mahon and Jones, and the emergence of teen prodigy Kyle Lafferty, showcasing a blend of youth, pace and creativity not seen at Turf Moor often enough.

Even with the cancelled contracts of Karbassiyoon and Courtney, no other enforcements were made, which seems to suggest that the club is in a healthy position, and the manager likes what he sees.

Too often, clubs see the deadline, and a red mist clouds their vision, and panic buys are made, only to be shipped out in the next window, and the fact that no such thing is happening at Turf Moor can only be a good thing.

Everyone loves to see new faces, but new signings take time to settle, if at all, and the squad in place now has already shown that it can match others in the division, particularly in the performance against Crystal Palace, a promotion favourite, after spending big following the sale of Andy Johnson. The Clarets led the London side twice, before eventually being pegged back for a point.

The squad looks competitive this time round, with two quality keepers going head to head, options across the back, and in midfield, and an attack that will score goals. With money saved now, maybe fresh acquisitions can be made in January, whether permanent signings loans.

But for now, things look good.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.