There’s nothing like transfer deadline day to get the blood pumping, even when it’s because you’re more than concerned about who you’ll lose, rather than who you’ll buy.
Hence a sigh of relief that Burnley didn’t lose anyone this week, despite Cardiff City being linked with Kieran Trippier, and that they gained a midfielder of the quality of Michael Kightly.
Burnley have been on the receiving end of Kightly’s ability in the past, most notably when he was with Wolves, and with Ross Wallace side-lined until at least Christmas, his arrival on a season’s loan from Stoke City will allow manager Sean Dyche to ring the changes if he needs to (Scott Arfield’s preferred midfield berth is central, and Kightly’s signing means competition for places remains).
There are signs Dyche believes he may be able to slot him in up front as cover should the need arise, as that’s now the area where Burnley lack some strength is depth, at least of proven Championship material. With emergency loans still available, this is where extra players to fill the ranks will come from and with Premiership squads limited in size he is bound to be casting his eye over potential pickings.
A number of ex-Burnley players were on the move on deadline day, most notably the great Beast himself, Brian Jensen, knocking a few letters out of Burnley to join Bury in League Two.
Jensen is older now but kept in trim he will still have something to offer - his best season was probably the Clarets’ promotion campaign to the Premiership in 2009-10, when he acquired talismanic propeties. And who can forget his keeping Manchester United at bay, including saving Michael Carrick’s penalty, as Robbie Blake’s superb strike notched up Burnley’s first top flight points since 1976?
Placed third, and with Blackburn’s arrival in a fortnight, there’s lots to look forward to. More on that next time...