FROM the doom and gloom of a few weeks ago, we’re now – only half-jokingly – talking about another European campaign.

And scrap that Europa League nonsense, we’re even considering the possibility of a stab at the Champions League… albeit dependent on Manchester City losing any appeal against the UEFA sanctions of course.

Seriously though, the end of the season is still a long way off and any talk of Europe is very much premature.

But given the run we’re one, and the relatively poor quality of the division this season, anything is possible.

Thing are getting quite tight amongst the chasing pack of teams eyeing up a place in the top six or seven but the positive results we’ve been picking up in the last few weeks has put us right in the middle of the action.

I’ve seen many describe the win over Bournemouth last week as being a tad controversial because of the VAR decisions that went our way but we all know that’s absolute nonsense.

I do have some sympathy with the Cherries for the first incident, Eddie Howe’s side had an opening goal from Josh King chalked off after VAR adjudged the ball had hit Philip Billing’s arm on the way to the former Rovers man.

It’s not clear and obvious but the ball does appear to hit the top of Billing’s arm rather than the shoulder and, as such, VAR ruled correctly.

The second incident is far clearer and I can’t believe there was even a discussion over it.

Adam Smith used his upper arm to keep a deep Burnley cross in play before Bournemouth broke all the way up the other end and scored what they thought was an equaliser.

VAR – very correctly – told ref Mike Dean to rule the goal out and bring the ball back down to the other end for a Burnley penalty (which was duly converted by Jay Rodriguez).

The circumstances may have felt harsh on the visitors but this is exactly what VAR should be doing. They gained a massive advantage from Smith’s handball and were rightly punished. Where’s the argument?

We’ve had our fair share of VAR decisions go against us – a visit to Leicester City anyone? – so it was good to see these go in our favour.

The Clarets juggernaut rolls into Newcastle this weekend with us safe in the knowledge that another win would all but secure Premier League football for another season.

Forget Europe for now, that’s surely something worth celebrating first…