THERE have been mixed reactions to the sale of Chris Eagles and Tyrone Mears – some of them kneejerk.

I heard a few Burnley fans even talked about throwing away their season tickets for a campaign that is still over a week away from starting.

At the risk of sounding like Michael Winner, I would say to those people: ‘Calm Down!’.

Of course the timing is off, but it’s not something Owen Coyle has been renowned for when it comes to Burnley is it?

All of Eddie Howe’s preparations for the new season had involved both players up until last Saturday.

The ‘few tweaks’ he had predicted suddenly became more of a rebuilding exercise overnight.

It is a big loss, but it doesn’t mean, there isn’t a future without those two players. And whatever that future holds should have the full backing of supporters if the club is to move forward.

Let’s not forget, Eagles was on the verge of leaving last summer after holding talks with Rangers, and Mears would have jumped at the chance to return to the Premier League had that opportunity arisen.

It could be argued their hearts weren’t in it back in the Championship.

Getting £3million for the pair, in the final year of their contracts, represents good business. But it is important it is reinvested in players who want to be at Turf Moor.

Whether or not he gets the financial backing of the board, Howe certainly needs it from the fans.