IF you look at the general picture so far, ninth in the table, only one league defeat and just a point off sixth place with a game in hand, it's been a decent start to the season.

But the recent draws have got to be turned into wins.

Burnley had enough chances to beat Ipswich after recovering from shipping two early, sloppy goals on Tuesday night. After Andy Gray equalised, there was only one team in it.

But we've got to make the most of these chances when they come along in order to stake a claim for the top six.

Losing Michael Duff is a massive blow as he has been one of the most consistent players we've had for years.

But in Graham Alexander we have a ready-made replacement at right back, at least for the time being. Steve Cotterill has said he has looked into making a loan signing, and personally I'd like that player to be a right back so Alexander can revert back to central midfield.

I've liked the look of him in that role. He uses the ball well, bites into challenges and has been a good acquisition to the squad.

But the games he has played at right back for Preston North End, he will do fine in that position when he's needed there.

Burnley will need all of their defensive qualities to come to the fore against Cardiff tomorrow if they are to stop a Bluebirds strike partnership that is just coming into some form.

Robbie Fowler and Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink are defying their birth certificates to really stamp their authority on the Championship - Fowler in particular with five goals in four games.

Whether such an imposing strikeforce prompts Cotterill to change his formation remains to be seen. Maybe he will be tempted by the 4-5-1 that served the side well against Portsmouth in the Carling Cup.

Having said that, Cardiff have found goals at home almost as hard to come by as wins.

Burnley are fortunate they have goals all over the park, and now hopefully Kyle Lafferty's first of the season will set him off and running.

Alan Mahon is another player who can pepper the goal and I thought he put himself around the pitch terrifically in his central midfield role. On Tuesday he threw himself into a lot of tackles and challenges and he's looked very industrious in there.

And on top of that he has the ability to ping the ball in from 25-30 yards.

All in all, the squad's looking solid enough, and we have to make sure we're on top of our game to keep Cardiff's winless home run going tomorrow.