The MARTIN DOBSON column

NOW that the transfer of Robbie Blake to Birmingham City has been completed, it will be interesting to see if the Burnley players react in a similar way to the Everton lads after Wayne Rooney moved on.

Most Evertonians were fearful for their Premiership future when the 'Boy Wonder' travelled the short distance down the M62 to Old Trafford, but who could have foreseen the performances and results in the coming months?

The pre-season friendly against the Clarets must have left even the most optimistic Everton supporter worried about how the season would pan out.

A lofty Premiership position beckoning? Maybe a Champions League position next season? Give over. Realistically, a nervous glance over the shoulder to the foot of the table was all they could anticipate.

But all doubts have been swept away and, I suspect, a similar feelgood factor will arrive at Turf Moor.

Maybe Robbie was getting all the headlines, the plaudits and column inches, but with the victories against Stoke and Wigan the rest of the squad showed a collective spirit to accept responsibility.

Steve Cotterill naturally stated that it was a big blow to lose his inspirational skipper as his goals and performances had lifted the team this season.

Presumably money will be available in strengthening the squad and clubs will be alerted to the fact that cash may be floating around in the Turf Moor coffers.

But Cotterill has shown a canny eye for a player and he will not be panicked just to boost the numbers. He knows how important it is to be selective in bringing new names into the dressing room.

He is also aware of the dangers a congested fixture programme, brought about by the recent postponements of the Crewe Alexandra, Leicester City and Liverpool games - headaches he will not welcome after seeing his team produce excellent results against Wigan Athletic and Stoke City.

The spirited victory over title chasing Wigan Athletic in the last home game gave every one at Turf Moor belief that better times lie just around the corner.

Collectively it was a magnificent performance with every player performing to his optimum level.

It was a 90 minutes full of commitment, passion and hard work and it fully vindicated the manager's decision in leaving Blake on the substitutes bench - a touch call if ever there was one.

To play Blake against the team who made it clear they wished to acquire his services would have brought reactions from both sets of supporters. In the end it was perfect scenario.

A home win and, with no chance of the transfer being scuppered through injury, everybody went home happy. Apart from Paul Jewell that is!

Gary Cahill's performance also belied his tender years and playing alongside the experienced John McGreal will do wonders for his confidence and understanding of the game.

Aston Villa will be the true beneficiaries of his development and when Gary returns to Villa Park, David O'Leary could do a lot worse than drafting the youngster straight into his first team squad.

The players are happy with the 4-1-4-1 system. They are getting results and nothing makes players believe more than when points are being racked up each week and the team are advancing up the league table.

The upcoming fixtures against Reading and Cardiff will present more tough tests for the Clarets, but ones which I'm positive they are looking forward to and will offer further evidence of their play off aspirations.