AS PETER Bankes blew for half-time on Friday evening, the 1,595 travelling Clarets — and the countless thousands watching proceedings via the magic lantern — experienced a strange and unfamiliar sensation; they had just witnessed their team take control of central midfield and completely boss proceedings.

It’s been some time since Burnley were so commanding in the engine room — probably not since the most recent promotion season — so it was refreshing to see David Jones and Joey Barton exercising such midfield mastery at the New York Stadium.

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Barton’s contribution should not be underestimated.

Despite being on the receiving end of some pretty rough stuff from Rotherham, the 33-year old passed and probed thoughtfully and effectively throughout.

Always available to receive the ball and move it on, his was a metronomic presence.

His partner put in a similarly impressive stint. Not only was Jones the steady anchor in midfield, he was also able to supplement the attack with some impressive forward forays and on another night might have come away with his name on the scoresheet.

The more games Barton and Jones play together the more their understanding will develop, which bodes well for the remainder of the season. And with Fredrik Ulvestad on the bench and Dean Marney edging ever-closer to fitness, the Clarets may soon find themselves in the novel position of having genuine midfield options.

Another pairing which is starting to show signs of gelling is the Sam Vokes/Andre Gray axis.

Vokes gave an intelligent display, dropping off the front and creating space for others to advance into — most notably Gray.

The record signing is looking worth every penny and potential add-on at the moment.

His superlative finish at the New York Stadium spoke of a striker with composure and presence of mind.

As he latched onto the through ball, not for an instant did you doubt that the ball would end up anywhere other than nestled in the back of Lee Camp’s net.

It was, overall, a solid and effective performance: as Sean Dyche correctly observed: “Sometimes the hardest fight is the one you are expected to win.”

If there was one small criticism of the display, it was that for much of the second half, Burnley seemed happy to surrender the initiative to the Millers and sat a little deeper.

It was an approach which, but for Sam Vokes’ late show, would almost cost them a couple of points.

Still, with Burnley ensconced in the play-off positions, the table will have a pleasing look during the international break.