LOOKING at Alistair Campbell and Stan Ternent on Saturday, it was difficult to gauge who had endured the more difficult week.

While Campbell had recently undergone the stresses and strains of the Hutton inquiry coupled with handing his notice in at Number 10, the Burnley manager had suffered a debilitating blow as his already small squad was further depleted with the sale of star striker Gareth Taylor.

But while it is difficult to imagine Campbell's problems extending beyond losing his chauffeur, Stan Ternent faces an altogether more difficult few months.

The loss of Taylor has been the week's main talking point, and has had supporters attempting to reconcile contradictory emotions. On the one hand, nobody wanted to see last season's leading scorer leave the club. Taylor gave Burnley two years of excellent service, and his well documented qualities will be sadly missed and hard to replace.

On the other hand, the future of Burnley FC is paramount. And in the current financial climate, there is no way the board could afford to turn their noses up at a bid of £500,000 for one of their assets.

What supporters want to know now is just how much of the money received will be made available to the manager. Such a small squad is very vulnerable once injuries and suspensions kick in, as evidenced against Crewe when, for the third time this season, there was a spare place on the subs bench.

One thing is certain - whatever decision Barry Kilby arrives at regarding money, will be determined by what he feels will best serve Burnley FC.

Amazingly, the chairman has recently come in for some stick from certain quarters. But instead of criticising the man, Burnley supporters should surely be counting their blessings that Kilby is at the helm.

He is the best possible man for the job at the moment. Not only is he a dyed in the wool Claret, he is a dyed in the wool Claret with sound business sense. The player shortage at Turf Moor will concern Kilby every bit as much as you and I. We must place our trust in the man without whom, Burnley FC may very well not be here today.

Meanwhile, on the pitch, the Clarets are showing that there is life after Gareth. Monday's clean sheet at Gillingham was replicated against Crewe which will do wonders for confidence, as will back to back victories.

Another positive is the form of Luke Chadwick. In the past, if you stopped Glen Little, you stopped Burnley, but not now. Although Little is no longer here, he was quiet on Saturday but Chadwick picked up the baton, and in some style.

In closing, congratulations to Richard Chaplow, who lived the supporters' dreams on Saturday by being the local lad who scored the winner. It was no more than his excellent performance deserved.