Fans keep saying they have heard his injury is career threatening , yet we have not heard anything from the club , certainly looking ominous, what a bloody shame if this is true

I've come to terms with never seeing him in a Burnley shirt ever again

Who has suggested his injury is career-threatening? Certainly the first I’ve heard of it.

I think it's one of those no news is bad news scenarios. He said a few weeks ago he was a couple of weeks away from fitness. He's been on the grass all pre-season, so what's the issue?

I havent heard that. But have heard from good sources that he wont play for us again and is currently back home.

Not saying its gospel. But no reason to doubt it.

IF this is true and IF the club knew pre August 9th some serious questions need asking...

ClaretAndJew wrote:I think it's one of those no news is bad news scenarios. He said a few weeks ago he was a couple of weeks away from fitness. He's been on the grass all pre-season, so what's the issue?

It’s a fair jump from that to him having a career-threatening injury.

Rileybobs wrote:It’s a fair jump from that to him having a career-threatening injury.

Aye of course, but it's just odd. We've always been quiet on injuries though.

If you weren't at The Orient Game, you can't comment.

I was 7 months gone inside my Mum's womb when the Orient game kicked off so I am not even a real fan.

If Defour refuses to play again it’s another dent in the shambolic window we just had.

ClaretAndJew wrote:I was 7 months gone inside my Mum's womb when the Orient game kicked off so I am not even a real fan.

But was she there?

MRG wrote:But was she there?

Unfortunately not mate. Her brother was though, but I don't think that counts.

I'm deleting my account.

I hear he's near death.

#prayfordefour

ClaretAndJew wrote:I've come to terms with never seeing him in a Burnley shirt ever again

I'm beginning to think along the same lines as you.

Defour is a big miss. Be interesting to know the win/loss ratio since he signed, with him in the side vs when he's not in the side.

ClaretAndJew wrote:I've come to terms with never seeing him in a Burnley shirt ever again

Same here.

I find it odd he couldnt keep fit 2 years ago

Fine in world cup year.

Injured just before it and no sign of a return after.

It does beg the question of why he's going to home games though "bouncing up the stairs with 2 cups of coffee" if he doesn't want to play for the club. That doesn't really follow. Surely, he wouldn't attend full stop if that were the case.

3rd of august he said he'd be back soon.

there are some daft leaps to conclusions on this thread.

Like having a Ferrari with a blown engine.
Yes you own a supercar, but you can't use it.
Very, very worrying and frustrating.

I do wonder if our own medical team know the extent of the injury themselves. Clearly nowhere near a return as he hasn’t even been spotted in the open training session.

If they do of course, then the transfer window is open to yet more scrutiny.

KefkaClaret wrote:If Defour refuses to play again it’s another dent in the shambolic window we just had.

This thread started with him supposedly having a career threatening injury. Now he's refusing to play.

What next? Alien abduction?

I heard he's looking to table a takeover bid.

Manceau wrote:I heard he's looking to table a takeover bid.

Treament table?

Why dont the club communicate when they believe the player will be back , also Brady, as then at least were kept in the know.

Even a rough guide on the timeline would be appreciated so these daft rumours dont start....

TheFamilyCat wrote:This thread started with him supposedly having a career threatening injury. Now he's refusing to play.

What next? Alien abduction?

Jesus if true we're all doomed.

If Jesus is true, surely we're all saved?

So if this thread is accurate, Defour is:

1. In Belgium;
2. At Turf Moor:
3. Permanently injured;
4. Refusing to play.

Obviously the above can't all be true. Do we have to pick which one we believe before slagging off the club, or can we just slag off the club without bothering to give a reason?

All four are perfectly possible to be heard pre-match in a five minute conversation with certain people!

Had virtually the same rumours the last time Defour was out injured. It turned out to be wildly overstated then and I imagine it is now.

Defour is out with niggling injuries. It has been suggested - including I think by Dyche - that Defour is very cautious about his body when it comes to injuries and whether he is fit, presumably as a result of the problems he has had before. I'm sure I've also read that Defour also likes to work with one of the Belgian physios who he has known for a long time, and so its quite possible he's doing that again at the minute, thereby allowing himself some time at home in Belgium.

The above can be true without there being any falling out, or any real story at all.

We need Defour.....Steven Defour
I just don't think he understands.
When he's not fit.. we play really ****
We need Steven Defour.

(please)

ClaretAndJew wrote:I think it's one of those no news is bad news scenarios. He said a few weeks ago he was a couple of weeks away from fitness. He's been on the grass all pre-season, so what's the issue?

Picked up a different injury

He's working with Lieven De Maesschalck, one of Belgium's best physios.

We badly need him back in the team though, as we miss his brain and footballing capacities. Cork is unable to do it on his own, and (with all due respect) neither Westwood or Hendrick have the capacities to really fill his boots at CM, irrespective of their own qualities and endeavors.

Still find it strange we did not manage to bring in a central player of his ilk.

This budget pinching is hampering our progress and making things much more difficult. We simply cannot permit the luxury of having players like Defour, Brady & JBG out injured without suitable back up. SD is putting up a brave face and doing his best, but he seriously can't be a too happy for the moment.

dsr wrote:So if this thread is accurate, Defour is:

1. In Belgium;
2. At Turf Moor:
3. Permanently injured;
4. Refusing to play.

Obviously the above can't all be true. Do we have to pick which one we believe before slagging off the club, or can we just slag off the club without bothering to give a reason?

5. touch-and-go

Giftonsnoidea wrote:Why dont the club communicate when they believe the player will be back , also Brady, as then at least were kept in the know.

Even a rough guide on the timeline would be appreciated so these daft rumours dont start....

Why should they communicate it? It's none of our business.

When a colleague is off work ill do your bosses update the entire workforce week by week on when they may return?

deanothedino wrote:Why should they communicate it? It's none of our business.

When a colleague is off work ill do your bosses update the entire workforce week by week on when they may return?

My last workplace actually sent out schedules of who was off sick and their expected return date, as it impacted productivty.

Not sure why people think he would be refusing to play. He was enjoying his football here up to his injury, which was unfortunate. If he'd have recovered properly from the injury then no doubt we would have been playing him as he is our best midfielder by some distance and, presumably, he would want to play. I've not heard any mumblings in the press (including Belgium) about him wanting away. Suspect it just is what it is, a player with a long track record of injury who is struggling to come back from another.

claretspice wrote:Had virtually the same rumours the last time Defour was out injured. It turned out to be wildly overstated then and I imagine it is now.

Defour is out with niggling injuries. It has been suggested - including I think by Dyche - that Defour is very cautious about his body when it comes to injuries and whether he is fit, presumably as a result of the problems he has had before. I'm sure I've also read that Defour also likes to work with one of the Belgian physios who he has known for a long time, and so its quite possible he's doing that again at the minute, thereby allowing himself some time at home in Belgium.

The above can be true without there being any falling out, or any real story at all.

This sounds plausible, but I wonder how he’s viewed amongst the other players who possibly are more willing to play with niggles and content to use the physios at the club.

agreenwood wrote:This sounds plausible, but I wonder how he’s viewed amongst the other players who possibly are more willing to play with niggles and content to use the physios at the club.

Valid point, but it didn't appear to be causing a problem during the first half of last season, when he last came back from a succession of niggling injuries that we didn't get much information about.

As for those suggesting the club should put a full medical bulletin into the public domain - might want to stop and check that the players are happy to have their injury details made public not only with their colleagues, but also the public at large. That might have something to do with the fact that all clubs are cautious about releasing this sort of information.

ClaretAndJew wrote:My last workplace actually sent out schedules of who was off sick and their expected return date, as it impacted productivty.

Did your workplace have fans that were included on that dist as well?

ClaretAndJew wrote:I've come to terms with never seeing him in a Burnley shirt ever again

Maybe a couple of 60 minute cameos but I fear you’re right

deanothedino wrote:Did your workplace have fans that were included on that dist as well?

Yes we had thousands of supporters

Belgianclaret wrote:He's working with Lieven De Maesschalck, one of Belgium's best physios.

We badly need him back in the team though, as we miss his brain and footballing capacities. Cork is unable to do it on his own, and (with all due respect) neither Westwood or Hendrick have the capacities to really fill his boots at CM, irrespective of their own qualities and endeavors.

Still find it strange we did not manage to bring in a central player of his ilk.

This budget pinching is hampering our progress and making things much more difficult. We simply cannot permit the luxury of having players like Defour, Brady & JBG out injured without suitable back up. SD is putting up a brave face and doing his best, but he seriously can't be a too happy for the moment.

On what basis is he judged as one of Belgium’s best physics certainly not on getting Defour fit!

I am far from happy with results but we simply couldn’t have afforded replacements for all 3

I'm not sure we'll see him in a Burnley shirt again. Even if he were to get back into full training this month will probably be April before Dyche thinks he's fit enough.

PutTheWheelieBinsOut wrote:Defour is a big miss. Be interesting to know the win/loss ratio since he signed, with him in the side vs when he's not in the side.

I calculated this last season. It was an incredible difference then. It’s gonna be even more staggering now. I’ll have another look...

deanothedino wrote:Why should they communicate it? It's none of our business.

When a colleague is off work ill do your bosses update the entire workforce week by week on when they may return?

Bad analogy mate. You get paid to go to work but you pay money to watch your team. The well being of a work colleague is private but the fitness or otherwise of a player who you pay, amongst others, to play for your team is a little more public. The main problem I have always had with the club I love is the damn secrecy in ALL things, even the usual 'undisclosed fee' for transfers. As far as our players go I get a little bored with 'touch and go', 'we'll have to wait and see' and the other classic 'he's back on grass' (does that mean that's what he's eating or that he has returned to his old drug taking ways?). Working for Burnley FC must be like working for MI5. Employees must have to sign a BFCSC form when they start (Burnley Football Club Secrecy Contract).
Come on Steven, Burnley FC needs you, get your boots on and get us climbing the league, you know it makes sense.

deanothedino wrote:Why should they communicate it? It's none of our business.

When a colleague is off work ill do your bosses update the entire workforce week by week on when they may return?

I'd say it is very much our business seeing as we are customers of a football club and were wondering when one of our favourite players will be back in the team.

Its really not too much to ask ,WTF is going on with him

It would stop a lot of rumours and bs from being spread also.....

Giftonsnoidea wrote:I'd say it is very much our business seeing as we are customers of a football club and were wondering when one of our favourite players will be back in the team.

Do Tesco tweet/email/phone you to tell you that Kim from customer service is ill and that the new apprentice James will be taking over in her absence?

I thought it a bit strange when on a couple of occasions in press interviews and the like Sean Dyche has said that JBG and Robbie Brady are missing due to injury
But no mention at all of Stephen Defour so got me thinking but hopefully I am wrong that he will still be out for a while

MarkGreen wrote:Do Tesco tweet/email/phone you to tell you that Kim from customer service is ill and that the new apprentice James will be taking over in her absence?

Have you never read Sky Sports News?