WELL we go into 2014 outside the top two but there is still plenty to be positive about.

Yes we sit four points behind leaders Leicester after we could only manage a point in a game of few chances at Wigan.

Yes we have slipped out of the automatic promotion places.

But, and it is a big but, promotion and relegation was never determined at Christmas.

What Sean Dyche has achieved this season has been fantastic and I think if we can rediscover a little bit of that form that sent us to the top of the Championship then we’ll definitely be in the automatic promotion mix-up at the end of the campaign.

The defeat at Middlesbrough on Boxing Day was disappointing but it was still only our third of the season and, if my stats are correct, only Everton have lost less. Not too bad a record then!

The draws are becoming more of an issue but at this stage of the season getting points on the board is the most important thing.

I am sure Sean will want to go out and strengthen in January and I hope that the board back the gaffer.

We’ve not made a habit of selling our best assets in January over the last couple of years and I also hope that will be the case next month.

We’ve got a very small squad and the last thing Dyche needs is to lose his star men.

I am sure the manager will have an idea of the players he wants to bring in but we may have to be patient.

I know as fans it is frustrating when other teams are adding to their squads and we miss out but that is the nature of the game.

I feel certain that new faces will arrive and that freshness is what we need at the minute.

There is very little on the bench in terms of something different and again yesterday, all Dyche could do was make like-for-like changes with Michael Kightly coming on for Keith Treacy.

The front two are looking a little tired and it would be great to be able to throw on a different body up front every now and then to try and unlock some of these stubborn defences.

Whatever Sean tries to do next month, we shouldn’t lose sight of what we have already achieved this term.

The lads need all the support they can get and I am sure that will start on New Year’s Day against Huddersfield.