STARTING WELL

This was the start of a big month for Burnley. Countless words have been written and spoken on their away record this season, and while the squad are keen to block it and know performances have improved, it is impossible to get away from completely.

With four away games in as many weeks, three of them against sides in the bottom six, it’s a run of games that can either propel the Clarets to safety or could have dragged them right back into a relegation battle.

Given that away record it was vital to begin the run well and that is exactly what they did at the KCOM Stadium.

The performance was good and the point valuable. It maintains that gap to the bottom three with another game ticked off and builds confidence ahead of next week’s trip to south Wales. Job done.

HANDBALL

The handball rule never ceases to confuse. At last glance the word deliberate was in there. If so, how can Michael Keane possibly be penalised? That’s before we even consider whether he was pushed into the ball by Harry Maguire.

Tom Heaton, among others, looked confused at the decision and the Clarets stopped thought a goal kick had been given at first. Ashley Barnes was booked for making his point.

There is an argument to be made for handballs at arms being in an unnatural position and out to gain advantage, but that didn’t look to be the case on Saturday.

It’s a rule that needs rewriting and reworking. It’s probably the most inconsistent area of officiating in the game and it’s time to make it clearer for players, managers and fans.

BOUNCING BACK

We’d heard all week from the manager and players that last week’s FA Cup defeat to non-league at Lincoln City at Turf Moor would be consigned to history.

They can often be easy words to say but it harder to put into action. It’s the type of shock result that can cause recriminations lasting several weeks. It could destabilise a season.

This squad, led by the managers’ ethos, have proved adept at quickly bouncing back and moving on though and they proved that to be the case against on Humberside.

They were out the blocks quickly and considering five of the starting XI had started against the Imps, with a further two coming off the bench, it was an impressive display of bouncebackability.