ADRIAN Heath is aiming to get to the heart of his problems as he starts the major task of transforming his squad for next season, writes PETER WHITE.

And by that, the Burnley boss means the heart of a defence which has conceded far too many goals for comfort.

The costly leaks at the back were underlined in the last two matches when Burnley's defences were breached eight times by one side already relegated and another struggling to get away from the drop zone.

But Heath is determined to find a cure.

"The best sides don't concede fives and threes like that," said the manager.

"We have conceded far too many goals against inferior opposition and that has been one of our biggest problems. I think we have the worst record in the division against the bottom five teams.

"And it comes down to individuals. Yes, you defend from the front but there comes a time when individual players have to accept responsibility."

"When you look at things in the cold light of day, you might reflect on the progress we have made over the past 12 months - and we have made progress.

"But, five games ago, we had a great opportunity.

"In the last month or so we have let ourselves down in one or two areas. "That's the most disappointing thing."

Burnley boast one of the best attacking records in the Second Division and with goals scored, rather than goal difference, counting in the Football League, that gives them an advantage.

But, at the same time, going into this afternoon's penultimate game at Notts County they had conceded more goals than any other side in the top half of the table.

That has clearly been the crux of the matter.

Heath has looked at his defence before and, at one stage of the season, seemed likely to sign strong-man Doug Hodgson from Sheffield United.

But injury put a stop to that.

And the manager revealed that he felt his team had been badly hit by the long absences through injury of Vince Overson after he had returned to Turf Moor from Stoke at the start of the season.

"It has been a problem for us there is no doubt about that," added Heath.

"Vince was going to be an integral part of our defence but it didn't work out like that because of his injury problems.

"It is certainly something we will have to look at during the summer."

On a brighter note, the injuries to players such as Overson and Peter Swan have enabled Chris Brass to make an impact at first team level.

The 21-year-old defender had only 14 senior appearances to his credit with Burnley at the start of the season.

But he has been a regular virtually from the start and his emergence has been one of the bright spots for the supporters.

It remains to be seen if - as expected - Burnley's long-shot play-offs chance comes to nothing, Heath brings in some new defenders to line up alongside him.

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