The transition from this season to next.

[jdrobbo]

The big question looming obviously centres around the manager. We desperately need him at the helm, but beyond Sunday evening, just how would you hope the short off-season will play out?

Players understandably need downtime and to relax with families, but the break is short, the friendlies are likely to be just a few weeks away and then we’re off again, into a new campaign!

I heard two different radio shows talking before ‘project restart,’ about how Burnley’s organisation, high fitness levels, solid defence and willingness to get the ball into the final third quicker than most teams, could prove to be a real advantage. We’ve certainly seemed to find our comfort zone during this period and I would hope that the break could help us, rather than hinder.

But of course, thoughts around Dyche and Garlick, as well as around summer acquisitions, will very quickly come to the fore, once we’ve ended our 38th and final game against Brighton on Sunday.

I’ve enjoyed this rapid burst of games but my goodness I miss the Turf.

Best wishes to you all.

Jonn

[dougcollins]

God knows how we'll all get back on the Turf.

[UnderSeige]

Let's hope that the break is longer than expected so that we can get the injury backlog cleared up and perhaps sign a player or two - although I am not expecting much.

[cricketfieldclarets]

I don’t understand the rush to get the season back started. October onwards for me.

More time to plan on and off the field. Not just in the transfer market. But returning fans. And giving the players a break.

[randomclaret2]

If the season started in October , when would it finish ?

[ksrclaret]

I hate it when there is no footy on but I think the players deserve a break a bit longer than the one being proposed. They've all put in a hell of a shift to finish the season just gone and there are many clubs with a lengthy injury list, not least ourselves. The time they had during lockdown can not be classed as their 'time off' or a holiday.

Agree that it would also make sense for clubs from a strategic perspective. There is still a lot of uncertainty around football at the minute in terms of finances and fans being readmitted so the extra time would surely be welcome.

[Targetman]

The players have recently had a lengthy break, I would have thought that they would be ready to go again in around 6 weeks time.

[Chester Perry]

I don’t understand the rush to get the season back started. October onwards for me.

More time to plan on and off the field. Not just in the transfer market. But returning fans. And giving the players a break.

The closer the season keeps to it's original schedules (as per it's various tv contracts) the less it will be expected to pay in rebates for not fulfilling those contracts as written - it is as basic as that. Should add that that rebates is also a factor for the desperation to get some fans back in (current rebates include sums for lack of atmosphere)

[tiger76]

If the season started in October , when would it finish ?

Good and where would the Euro's fit in next summer, no matter what they decide some clubs won't be happy, but we'll all have to adapt, they just need to make a decision ASAP so everyone knows what's happening.

[Vegas Claret]

I know 4 Villa season ticket holders, every single one of them wants Dyche if they stay up......

[Chester Perry]

The players have recently had a lengthy break, I would have thought that they would be ready to go again in around 6 weeks time.

The Lock Down was not a break where players could totally switch off - they were required to maintain fitness schedules and were still thinking about the remaining games, end of season is very different, particularly on the psychological side of things

[ksrclaret]

The closer the season keeps to it's original schedules (as per it's various tv contracts) the less it will be expected to pay in rebates for not fulfilling those contracts as written - it is as basic as that. Should add that that rebates is also a factor for the desperation to get some fans back in (current rebates include sums for lack of atmosphere)

I dare say admitting a small number of fans would do very little for the lack of atmosphere.

[huw.Y.WattfromWare]

just how would you hope the shirt off-season will play out?

I’m pleased you are expecting a good August.
Seriously, hoping this shortened break will be good for us. A couple of weeks family time for R&R and then back into it again. Their confidence must be sky high. A couple of additions to freshen up an ageing squad but the currently injured players state of health might alter that.
Nobody else leaving is the key to a good season ahead.

[Chester Perry]

I dare say admitting a small number of fans would do very little for the lack of atmosphere.

5000 - 8000 on the Turf which is what is being proposed (up to 40%) could generate plenty of noise

[ksrclaret]

5000 - 8000 on the Turf which is what is being proposed (up to 40%) could generate plenty of noise

I'm delighted that some fans will be readmitted - I think that's absolutely brilliant. I'm just dubious as to whether a stadium at 40% capacity with the fans socially distant would generate the sort of atmosphere that would stop the TV companies asking for a rebate?

[Chester Perry]

I'm delighted that some fans will be readmitted - I think that's absolutely brilliant. I'm just dubious as to whether a stadium at 40% capacity with the fans socially distant would generate the sort of atmosphere that would stop the TV companies asking for a rebate?

the biggest issue for that I think would be the likely ban of away fans - they are needed to help the atmosphere

[Duffer_]

...just how would you hope the shirt off-season will play out?

If that's the case, I hope it's short

Edit: such was my schoolboy excitement to reply that I missed huw's. Soz

[jdrobbo]

Short!!!

SHORT



I really must address my sausage fingers!

[Bosscat]

I know 4 Villa season ticket holders, every single one of them wants Dyche if they stay up......

Well tell them to follow a decent team in Claret and Blue then

[Bosscat]

Short!!!

SHORT



I really must address my sausage fingers!

I like the Shirt off season just wish it would hurry up And start.... As this cold wet sh*tty weathers getting me down

[FCBurnley]

I know 4 Villa season ticket holders, every single one of them wants Dyche if they stay up......

Dreamers !!

[EarbyClaret]

We seem to have adapted remarkably well to the no fans environment - overall I would say that suited as far better home and away to some kind of halfway-house arrangement and would certainly give us an edge when playing the biggest clubs

[dsr]

I hate it when there is no footy on but I think the players deserve a break a bit longer than the one being proposed. They've all put in a hell of a shift to finish the season just gone and there are many clubs with a lengthy injury list, not least ourselves. The time they had during lockdown can not be classed as their 'time off' or a holiday.

Agree that it would also make sense for clubs from a strategic perspective. There is still a lot of uncertainty around football at the minute in terms of finances and fans being readmitted so the extra time would surely be welcome.

Sean Dyche said that for about 5-6 weeks after the suspension the players were allowed to relax and didn't have any monitors or heart readers or set fitness program to work to. This would be very much like the first half of summer break - minus the foreign holidays, of course, but that applies to everyone in the country. They certainly won't extend the season to let the players go on holiday.

[Vegas Claret]

Well tell them to follow a decent team in Claret and Blue then

those aren't the words I used !!!

[BenWickes]

The players don't let themselves go in a normal close season. They will have some set routine of fitness. During lockdown it was probably akin to how players would be preparing themselves a week or two prior to returning to training. Ticking over, still spending time with family and doing things they enjoy more than in season time but ramping up their fitness regime. I can't see any reason why they can't be ready and refreshed by September 12th.

[Targetman]

The Lock Down was not a break where players could totally switch off - they were required to maintain fitness schedules and were still thinking about the remaining games, end of season is very different, particularly on the psychological side of things

I read an article about Ben Mee several weeks ago and in it he said that he had taken an opportunity to switch off from his normal every day routine with just a morning run around the countryside where he lives to keep in trim.

I suspect that is something similar to what he would do in a normal summer before going back for pre-season training.

If you were to ask the players themselves then I'm sure they would be raring to go again for the start of a new season in the middle of September.

[buzzclarets79]

For me start the season in October, but try and finish it as close as you can to the normal early May date. There's plenty of things that they can do to "make up" the lost time, a few more midweek matches (Sat-Tue-Sat) for a start, get rid of replays in the cups so it's a result on the night, make all cup games one legged with the result on the night. I'd also do away with an international week.

As regards to fans being allowed back I'm just glad we are where we are in the premier getting lots of TV money, how would that compare to us being in Championship or lower and our income being heavily reliant on match day gate receipts, with no fans at the moment and only maybe 40% being allowed in possibly, can see many lower legue teams really struggling, luckily we won't be one of them, and possibly need to remember that when it comes to this transfer window when I don't think we'll see much spent, maybe free transfers.

[jdrobbo]

I would also make all European competitions a straight knock out... although that makes the branding of the Champions League challenging!

I agree about condensing the season. I love a night game but chances are, shorter rest periods between matches will favour small squads like ours the least.

[ClaretTony]

The big question looming obviously centres around the manager.

Still very much a major concern for me.

I don't think we can read much into the last sentence but in his programme notes for Sunday's game, Dyche writes: "Thank you also to the supporters for your backing over the past 11 months It's hugely appreciated by us all, and I know you will equally acknowledge that once again the players have done you proud

"The one club mentality continues to serve us well.

"Enjoy your summer and we hope to see you all back at Turf Moor soon"

[jdrobbo]

I’ll take that for now Tony. Any crumb...

[Rowls]

I would also make all European competitions a straight knock out... although that makes the branding of the Champions League challenging!

That'll never happen. The CL is UEFA's cash cow.

When I moved to France I was shocked at how popular the Champions League is compared to Ligue 1. Montpellier's not really a football town but the general populace only care about the CL and proper French internationals. You get more ex-pats watching the PL than any Ligue 1 match.

[Clarets4me]

For me start the season in October, but try and finish it as close as you can to the normal early May date. There's plenty of things that they can do to "make up" the lost time, a few more midweek matches (Sat-Tue-Sat) for a start, get rid of replays in the cups so it's a result on the night, make all cup games one legged with the result on the night. I'd also do away with an international week.

To compensate for no replays, for rounds 3/4/5 of the FA Cup, if there's a lower division Club drawn against a Premier League/Championship opponent, the lower ranked side should automatically be at home, with the choice of switching the tie if they wish ....

[cricketfieldclarets]

I would also make all European competitions a straight knock out... although that makes the branding of the Champions League challenging!

I agree about condensing the season. I love a night game but chances are, shorter rest periods between matches will favour small squads like ours the least.

You say that. But we were ruthless in the unforgiving championship of saturday tuesday. You could argue it could go the other way!

[cricketfieldclarets]

Still very much a major concern for me.

I don't think we can read much into the last sentence but in his programme notes for Sunday's game, Dyche writes: "Thank you also to the supporters for your backing over the past 11 months It's hugely appreciated by us all, and I know you will equally acknowledge that once again the players have done you proud

"The one club mentality continues to serve us well.

"Enjoy your summer and we hope to see you all back at Turf Moor soon"

I would interpret that positively.

I am confident he will be here. But can see why he wouldnt be.

Ive always thought the main job he would leave for would be England. Problem is Southgates done a good job.

[cricketfieldclarets]

That'll never happen. The CL is UEFA's cash cow.

When I moved to France I was shocked at how popular the Champions League is compared to Ligue 1. Montpellier's not really a football town but the general populace only care about the CL and proper French internationals. You get more ex-pats watching the PL than any Ligue 1 match.

France was the same during france98 - theres a great documentary on Iplayer about Ronaldo, Beckham and Zidane and focuses on that tournement.

French fans didnt care about the national team. Until the final that is!

[Rowls]

France was the same during france98 - theres a great documentary on Iplayer about Ronaldo, Beckham and Zidane and focuses on that tournement.

French fans didnt care about the national team. Until the final that is!

Yeah that's broadly true.

When they're winning - they'll follow them. They barely care until or unless they reach a semi-final. Was tricky as 'eck trying to drum up interest in the pub for France games.

[dougcollins]

Egg chasers.