NO wonder Steve Cotterill declared himself, "pleased with our return so far." Following the events of the first week of the season, his words echo the sentiments of Burnley fans everywhere.

The week got off to a great start with the removal of Micah Hyde from the transfer list. It was hard to fathom why Hyde, one of Burnley's most consistent performers last season, was deemed surplus to requirements in the first instance.

The only people who do know are the manager and the player. And as both of them are keeping mum about the situation, the supporters must remain in the dark.

Little matter. Hyde's return to the fold must have been a tremendous fillip for the squad, and was possibly the catalyst for the Clarets' brilliant victory over Leicester. The importance of that win - their first on the road since the 2-3 win at Luton last Bonfire Night - cannot be overstated.

Burnley's away form was appalling last term and to get full points away from Turf Moor at the very first time of asking will have given the squad a major psychological boost - as will the fact that the result gave the Clarets back-to-back wins and clean sheets.

Also encouraging is the fact that Cotterill has made the more adventurous move of playing two up away from home. Watching Burnley on the road after the sale of Ade Akinbiyi last season was basically a case of hoping we could hang on for a 0-0.

Too often, the Clarets played a lone man up front, and given that the lone man was either the lethargy-stricken Gifton Noel-Williams or the criminally disinterested Michael Ricketts, many long, dark afternoons of the soul were endured.

Thankfully, Cotterill was as fed up of this as the supporters, and with a starting line-up including Jones, Gray, Mahon and Elliott, (with Lafferty in reserve), we are able to do something we couldn't do last season, and take the game to the opposition.

The point gained at Hillsborough rounded the week off nicely - seven points from nine, only one goal conceded in four and a half hours (and that a penalty) and second place in the table.

The only downside to the week was Andy Gray's reckless act of stupidity. He may well not have heard the whistle, but he's a seasoned enough pro to know the potential consequences of kicking the ball away.

On the plus side, Gray's dismissal at least gives Kyle Lafferty another opportunity to shine when Wolves visit the Turf this Saturday.