A fan's-eye view from Turf Moor, with Stephen Cummings

A 6-0 HUMILIATION at Turf Moor, calls for the manager to step down, a hastily rescheduled board meeting in the capital, a controversial decision by the chairman, two new signings, dropping into the relegation zone, and a pride restoring performance against promotion hopefuls in a local derby on national television.

Have I missed anything? Probably, such has been the maelstrom of activity which the Brunshaw Road club has found itself sucked into during the past seven days.

I am unable to recall a week quite like it.

Where to begin? Enough has already been said and written about the Manchester City debacle. Further discussion of the matter would only result in adjective fatigue.

More interesting was the fans' reaction. The calls for Ternent's head had been building for some time. The Gillingham and Manchester City fiascos were merely the catalysts which led to frustrations being vented.

Questionable tactics, a marked inability to score goals, a shocking defensive record, no home win since November and certain of the playing personnel had all attracted rumblings of discontent. Last Tuesday was the last straw. But, if the supporters were wondering what the heck was going on, then pity Barry Kilby.

Within just a few weeks of injecting £3 million into the club, the chairman was faced with his first dilemma. Because although Ternent has an impressive, recent management record at this level, he had not only lost supporters, but all the indications were that he had lost many of the players too.

This particularly lethal combination has led to the dismissal of many managers - a recent example being Roy Hodgson. Ternent, however, survived.

Presumably, Kilby believed things could only get better. There is also some merit in the argument which says changing your manager when you are in trouble with only a handful of games left is practically asking to be relegated.

Then there's that old chestnut "continuity," and again there is much to be said for the notion. On the one hand it is good to see the chairman is thinking long term, but if "continuity" means relegation the implications are ominous and legion.

The week's conclusion was bitter sweet - a vastly improved performance, yet the wrong result in every sense. (Of course Nogan scored - it's written into his Deepdale contract).

The dye has been cast. Stan is in charge. For the remainder of the season opinions should be left at the turnstiles. Let's get behind the manager and the team.

Come on, you Clarets!

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.