IN just a few short hours from now the transfer window will be flung open, signalling the commencement of clubs’ annual scramble to recruit reinforcements in the pursuit of promotion, or the avoidance of relegation.

Let’s hope Burnley are somewhere near the front of the queue, because events of recent weeks suggest that they need to be.

It seems aeons ago since that Saturday afternoon in late October, when the Clarets deservedly saw off Queens Park Rangers with a Danny Ings double to retain their position as the division’s top dogs and open up a three point lead over Leicester City.

A couple of months down the line, both the weather and Burnley’s form have cooled considerably. Since putting Harry Redknapp’s side to the sword, Sean Dyche’s charges have managed maximum points in just two of their 10 ten Championship fixtures.

Thankfully things are nowhere near that grim for the Clarets, as evidenced by just three Championship defeats since August, a still enviable league position and a group of players who have a fantastic togetherness and team spirit.

Yet what has also become increasingly obvious over the past few weeks, is that if the club are at all serious about doing in the second half of the season what they did in the first, then the squad needs to make two or three good quality additions.

Burnley have a great group of players, a terrific manager and a tremendous opportunity. It would be criminal to allow it to wither on the vine.