Cummings and Goings, with STEPHEN CUMMINGS

"A GAME of two halves" runs the cliche, and a more appropriate description of Burnley's victory over Sheffield United you will not find anywhere.

The second half performance was instantly forgettable. The 55th minute dismissal of the Blades Michael Brown proved the catalyst for the Clarets to go into their shell and play a dangerous game of sitting too deep, giving the ball away cheaply and inviting the visitors onto them.

Supporters in the Jimmy McIlroy lower should surely be entitled to some sort of a refund, as after 4.10pm virtually no action was seen down that end of the pitch.

But although the second half was far too negative, it was in direct contrast to a first period which was packed with claret and blue positives in every department of the team.

If anybody can claim to have been instrumental in helping Burnley take seven points from the last nine, it has to be Brian Jensen. His shot-stopping against Reading, Sunderland and Sheffield United had at times been exceptional. Not only that, but the Beast's overall game is steadily improving. The Dane was much more commanding in the area on Saturday than has been the case in the past.

In front of him, Mark McGregor had an outstanding game at centre half. Wayne Ellison is a tough customer to handle at the best of times, but McGregor stuck to his task with admirable tenacity. Confirmation he had won his personal duel came with the 72nd minute substitution of Ellison.

In midfield, Tony Grant is enjoying a fine run of form, and is looking like the player who did so well for the Clarets when he initially arrived at Turf Moor. Maybe the emergence of Richard Chaplow has spurred him on. Whatever the reason, long may it continue.

But the real star of Saturday's show was Robbie Blake. When the former Bradford man is on form he is irresistible to watch and impossible for opponents to live with.

Not only did Blake score Burnley's first and third, he also found time to set up Ian Moore's goal.

But there was more to his game than that. Blake oozed class in the first half as his tricks and flicks bamboozled the Blades.

Always available, always looking to bridge the gap between the midfield and the forward line, he looked every penny the million pounds which the club paid for his services.

Stan Ternent dismissed any talk of the play-offs in his post-match press conference, but it's certainly a nicer feeling to be closer to sixth place than 22nd. Here's to putting some more space between ourselves and the bottom three with a win over Coventry on Saturday.