CIRCUMSTANCES dictate everything and Stan has certainly had his work cut out defensively this season.

I make it he has been forced to use six different centre back partnerships in an attempt to solve last season's glut of goals conceded.

The necessary tinkering has never really solved the problem - and already 38 in league 23 games is among the worst in the First Division.

Only last week I spoke about the acquisition of Jay McEveley and how availability might have been the main reason Stan swooped for a position that already had cover.

But now, how timely that loan signing could be.

Following last weekend's poor defensive display against Coventry, when two more goals were shipped with alarming ease, there may be more tinkering with the back line.

Mark McGregor was substituted at half time against the Sky Blues, while Arthur's sending off once again put a black mark against his name.

So don't be surprised to see McEveley partner David May for the first time at Preston tomorrow.

The pace of Ricardo Fuller will cause problems, and we certainly need pace in there to cope. From what I saw against Coventry, Jay certainly looks no slouch - even though he was playing out of position on the left.

And crikey, he's a big lad to boot, and that height is something that has also been sorely missed at both ends of the field.

It's been especially noticeable when we look to strike from set-pieces, so when you have a big lad in the camp, you have to look to use him accordingly.

Alongside the vastly experienced may, it could just turn out to be the partnership Stan has been searching for - and what a nice Christmas present that would be.

Certainly the game at Preston is going to be a tough one. They are full of confidence at the moment and must be considered favourites.

But this Burnley side has shown in the past it can bounce back, with the games at West Ham and Sunderland prime examples.

Stan will have worked the lads hard all week to get across how important this little spell of three games in eight days, starting at Deepdale, is.

It's also good to see the lads won't have much travelling to do at Christmas - unlike last season when I seem to recall visits to Brighton and Gillingham looming large.

Hopefully it's the start of a rethink by the powers that be, because there's no better time to play local derbies. Maybe we could even go back to playing the same side on successive days like they used to in the old days. Then again, one step at a time, eh!

Merry Christmas everyone.