Ben Mee Leaving !

[DCWat]

Exciting times

I’m all a quiver!

[Stockbrokerbelt]

Will be a loss but change is needed, new manager & a new Tarks/Mee partnership, if the club is going to improve & move on we need any manager the freedom to build his own squad. Remember it was the Tarks/Mee partnership that we have been relegated with.

[tiger76]

Get rid it's a long hard season if he's up for the cash see ya.

That's fine as long as he and others are adequately replaced, and that's the great unknown right now.

I'll hold fire until the end of the window, but at this moment in time I can fully understand why many posters are expressing concerns at the state of our squad, not to mention we still need to appoint a manager.

[DCWat]

Will be a loss but change is needed, new manager & a new Tarks/Mee partnership, if the club is going to improve & move on we need any manager the freedom to build his own squad. Remember it was the Tarks/Mee partnership that we have been relegated with.

What was our goals against record last season? Of all the issues last season that should have been addressed, central defence was not one of them and it wasn’t a factor in our relegation.

[Rileybobs]

Maybe let’s wait and see what Ben Mee actually does before labelling someone I would genuinely class as a Burnley legend a rat.

[ClaretLoup]

Where will all the goals come from?

Ben was second highest goalscorer in the EFL still left at the club.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

A quick search of average age threads/comments and it's been one of the biggest gripes about a Dyche team for a few years.

Now the age is being dropped and suddenly it's an issue that older players aren't being kept on

I'd keep Mee if possible, but I'm not the manager.
If Kompany is signing maybe he's made the decision to not retain Mee because he wants this lad on loan from City, we just don't know right now.

[dsr]

Rats leaving a sinking ship....money trumps loyalty every single time....if you don't want to play for the badge ..fair enough...see ya.
Don't care who it is Dyche or Mee no one is bigger than the club.

Of course he doesn't want to play for the badge. He's a professional. I don't go to work for the sake of the badge on my employer's logo, I go to work for the money. Don't you?

There will always be other aspects of the job that make it not all about the money, but if the working conditions are going to pot and the money is les,s then of course he'll leave.

[ClaretTony]

Maybe let’s wait and see what Ben Mee actually does before labelling someone I would genuinely class as a Burnley legend a rat.

He could walk and sign for Blackburn and I’d still not call him a rat.

[nyclaret]

He could walk and sign for Blackburn and I’d still not call him a rat.

Steady.

[Nonayforever]

I would be sad to see Mee leaving, he's been a good captain.
However, this coming season is a season to build a team that can achieve promotion and compete in the PL the season after.
Ben wouldn't be a part of that plan so I'm not concerned that he goes from a football point of view.
Emotion and business need to be separated. He's been well rewarded and will be well remembered, but at some point he will have to go. This is a good a time as any.

[NewClaret]

Appalling mismanagement to be in a position where both our first choice CB pairing are able to walk away on frees in the same year. And that’s before you consider we may have signed a contract allowing our best future prospect to walk away relatively cheaply.

[spt_claret]

Only positive I’m thinking here is that IF VK is the new man, he wants to play football on the deck, with retaining possession in the defence being quite a bit of the part of the system. Mee, as much as we love him, has never been good at this and loses the ball way too often.

This is something of a myth. Check the stats on fbref or sofascore if you don't believe me. Ben Mees passing accuracy is above Tarks on everything but long balls, his creation is slightly higher, and his heatmaps put him further forward and wider, like many modern defenders. He played left back for a few years for a reason and even in the Premier League has shown technical ability he skinned a guy at Chelsea a couple seasons ago.

I can't overstate how gutted I am at this news. Ben is my all time favourite Burnley player, and such a phenomenal defender. Genuinely an irreplaceable loss.

Insane to me that everyone expects Bobby Thomas to just step up no questions. He's 21, and has played 1 cup game and half a season at League Two. Completely unproven and a horrendous amount of pressure to heap him on if he's anything above 3rd choice.

If we lose Collins the bedrock of our defence is gone. Given Pope, Cornet, McNeil and Brownhill allegedly have suitors we've got a battle to retain our core.

[Rileybobs]

I would be sad to see Mee leaving, he's been a good captain.
However, this coming season is a season to build a team that can achieve promotion and compete in the PL the season after.
Ben wouldn't be a part of that plan so I'm not concerned that he goes from a football point of view.
Emotion and business need to be separated. He's been well rewarded and will be well remembered, but at some point he will have to go. This is a good a time as any.

Losing our two best defenders, who have been the bedrock of our success, in the same window is not likely to improve our chances of getting back into the PL, never mind competing in it.

[Steve1956]

Of course he doesn't want to play for the badge. He's a professional. I don't go to work for the sake of the badge on my employer's logo, I go to work for the money. Don't you?

No I retired 14 years ago.....Football isn't work

[burnleytom]

Sad times. Not always been his biggest fan, but have come to realise that I’d always want him to start, and that he was important.

He’s played this exactly right, as he has done with every decision in his career. He’s clearly a wise fellow, with a good agent and family. Knew he needed to get out of City and play, chose good loans to do so. Realised what he had when he found Burnley and chose to settle long term. When his last deal was up, he kept his options open and explored interest at a key stage of his career, when his potential was highest, but eventually chose to stay and play every week, at the highest level. I imagine that will be his same thinking now, given it’s his last big deal. He kept quiet about his negotiations, kept them in the background, put the needs of the club first, whilst also giving himself the space to see how the land lay at the end of the season, and where the club was. He’s done it right.

A massive loss (if he goes), and to be honest, both Fulham and Bournemouth would be mad not to offer him a huge wage on a two year deal, to help solve their historic defensive deficiency at the top level almost overnight. Money not much of a problem for them, and Ben will know he will play every week.

He’ll be missed. Solid leaders are tough to find.

[RVclaret]

This is something of a myth. Check the stats on fbref or sofascore if you don't believe me. Ben Mees passing accuracy is above Tarks on everything but long balls, his creation is slightly higher, and his heatmaps put him further forward and wider, like many modern defenders. He played left back for a few years for a reason and even in the Premier League has shown technical ability he skinned a guy at Chelsea a couple seasons ago.

This season in particular I thought it was notable in games that the other team would create pressing triggers / traps which constantly forced the ball to Mee. He didn’t have the passing accuracy or dribbling ability some centre halves have to play through the lines. It often led to clipped balls forward and turnovers in possession.

Again, I was just looking for positives in this as I am quite gutted he’s leaving. I wanted to keep the spine of Mee, Cork and Jay.

But he’s also believed to be the highest earner at the club, so while it’s hard to lose him and Tarks, it’s also getting two big wages off the books.

[Andreshotboots]

Who knows it might be Ben twisting the chairman’s arm to get what he wants. How many players have we “all but signed” recently to find out the suddenly have signed a lovely bumper contract?

[Hibsclaret]

Will be a loss but change is needed, new manager & a new Tarks/Mee partnership, if the club is going to improve & move on we need any manager the freedom to build his own squad. Remember it was the Tarks/Mee partnership that we have been relegated with.

We could have done with the Mee/Tarks partnership in the crucial games such as the last few games. We would have stayed up, I have no doubt. Very harsh to say we were relegated with them.

[Venkys4eva]

No I retired 14 years ago.....Football isn't work

Football is work, none of them play for the badge they play for the money.

[CoolClaret]

Honestly not too fussed - Mee has hardly pulled up trees the past two seasons and has started to regularly pickup injuries that he wouldn’t have earlier in his career
(from leading with his left rather than right leg for his latest injury as well).

Not saying Long would be a starter every week but he’s not as bad as people make out - certainly never looks completely out of his depth like some posters suggest… he was good when he came in the last few games of the season.

Mee has had plenty of howlers where he’s been dispossessed on near half way line in possession and ended up conceding.

Thanks Ben for the great memories, on to the new era.

[taio]

Honestly not too fussed - Mee has hardly pulled up trees the past two seasons and has started to regularly pickup injuries that he wouldn’t have earlier in his career
(from leading with his left rather than right leg for his latest injury as well).

Not saying Long would be a starter every week but he’s not as bad as people make out - certainly never looks completely out of his depth like some posters suggest… he was good when he came in the last few games of the season.

Mee has had plenty of howlers where he’s been dispossessed on near half way line in possession and ended up conceding.

Thanks Ben for the great memories, on to the new era.

Mee has been very good during the last two seasons and beyond and is significantly better than Long. Our success has been built on Pope, Tarkowski and obviously Mee and all three have been key despite being relegated.

[Pearcey]

I really hope this board have a plan in place before the season starts because things aren’t looking good at the moment.

[Andreshotboots]

All into context for me, I went to 3 funerals in 6 days last week so I’m not getting stressed about a few already multi millionaire grown men deciding to go and kick a bag of wind about with some other multi millionaire men in a different coloured shirt… UTC

[Jamesy]

Rats leaving a sinking ship....money trumps loyalty every single time....if you don't want to play for the badge ..fair enough...see ya.
Don't care who it is Dyche or Mee no one is bigger than the club.

I’m not sure it’s just about money? If you worked in a specialist industry and your employer had mortgaged the business to the hilt and you could see it was going t!ts up, you might just want to jump ship before it did.

[CoolClaret]

Mee has been very good during the last two seasons and beyond and is significantly better than Long. Our success has been built on Pope, Tarkowski and obviously Mee and all three have been key despite being relegated.

Well, we won more games with him out of the team than in it this season (4 vs 3)

[taio]

Well, we won more games with him out of the team than in it this season (4 vs 3)

That feels very meaningless - there are many other reasons for last season's performance and outcome before suggesting Mee was a key reason.

[Goody1975]

Let's just see where we are at in a month or two.

Having a large turnover of players is never great for any side but before I have a meltdown I'd like to see what manager, style of play and player recruitment we have before I lose my ****.

ALK now have an opportunity to turn the club into one in their image, it looks more like a swim or drown scenario and a massive job but it's now definitely a case of show us what you are made of.

[CoolClaret]

That feels very meaningless - there are many other reasons for last season's performance and outcome before suggesting Mee was a key reason.

Of course - I just don’t think that he’s irreplaceable. Tarky I’m more gutted about but it’s thanks to Ben and on to the next guy.

[wilks_bfc]

Will be a loss but change is needed, new manager & a new Tarks/Mee partnership, if the club is going to improve & move on we need any manager the freedom to build his own squad. Remember it was the Tarks/Mee partnership that we have been relegated with.

2021-22 53
2020-21 55
2019-20 50
2018-19 68

Goals conceded in last 4 seasons.

It was the lack of goals at the other end that got us relegated

[CombatClaret]

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[JarrowClaret]

Fair enough, but Ben Mee has never come across as that type of guy (to me anyway).

I think there’s more at play than a two year contract somewhere else.

Wow you could be right I guess, but do you over think everything or just Burnley FC?

Does it matter the reason he is leaving? if he does leave that is I honestly couldn’t care less about his reasoning that is for him.

Anyway if he does leave I wish him the best of luck for the reminder of his career apart from in games against us especially after we get promoted next season

[dsr]

Let's just see where we are at in a month or two.

Having a large turnover of players is never great for any side but before I have a meltdown I'd like to see what manager, style of play and player recruitment we have before I lose my ****.

ALK now have an opportunity to turn the club into one in their image, it looks more like a swim or drown scenario and a massive job but it's now definitely a case of show us what you are made of.

In two months, we'll be two games into the season. First match is in 58 days. We have a 69 day close season and have spent the first 11 of them doing - it seems - nothing. Are we expecting Mike Jackson to still be caretaker manager playing whatever players happen to be left over?

[beddie]

All into context for me, I went to 3 funerals in 6 days last week so I’m not getting stressed about a few already multi millionaire grown men deciding to go and kick a bag of wind about with some other multi millionaire men in a different coloured shirt… UTC

Absolutely spot on. I too was getting stressed out but then I was reminded by my wife of a little more reality closer to home.
On reflection yes Ben has been brilliant for us but there are some good players out there waiting to be found, he’s not irreplaceable despite what some might think.If the new Manager has a total clear out then so be it, we’ve been stuck in a rut for sometime. It’s time for a fresh start with a new approach. Good luck Ben if you do move on.

[Mala591]

Are our (first team squad) player’s wages halved on relegation?

Mee’s wage might have been reduced to £30k a week from £60k a week so he’s bound to look around for a better offer.

[SalisburyClaret]

Must be hard to see his defensive partner likely to be offered mega bucks and stay playing in the PL when he faces a long hard season in the Championship. Not surprised he’s looking at his options. He’ll always be a Turf Moor hero whatever his next step.

[Burnleyareback2]

I won’t be surprised to see him re-United with Sean Dyche next season.

Wouldn’t even be surprised if it’s already agreed.

A big big loss for us.

[TheFamilyCat]

I won’t be surprised to see him re-United with Sean Dyche next season.

Wouldn’t even be surprised if it’s already agreed.

A big big loss for us.

What do you expect him to do until SD gets another job?

[Chester Perry]

Was starting to read it when the annoying advert appears asking you to subscribe, there doesn’t appear a way of getting rid of it. If anyone could post the actual article I’d be grateful.

we cannot transcribe but this link is to an archive copy of the article that does not have the paywall issue

https://archive.ph/jo13t

[Quickenthetempo]

Are our (first team squad) player’s wages halved on relegation?

Mee’s wage might have been reduced to £30k a week from £60k a week so he’s bound to look around for a better offer.

He was out of contract, so whatever they would have agreed in the new deal.

[NewClaret]

we cannot transcribe but this link is to an archive copy of the article that does not have the paywall issue

https://archive.ph/jo13t

How do you get these things CP? You’re a legend at getting no paywall articles.

Not that I wanted to read this one

[Lancasterclaret]

This is the reality of relegation

Players who are too good for the championship and are premier league class (and Mee definitely is) don't stay

Huge loss, but I'd like to thank him for all the hard work and performances he's put in a Burnley shirt

Huge, huge, huge loss though

[Chester Perry]

How do you get these things CP? You’re a legend at getting no paywall articles.

Not that I wanted to read this one

it is getting much harder

[Goody1975]

In two months, we'll be two games into the season. First match is in 58 days. We have a 69 day close season and have spent the first 11 of them doing - it seems - nothing. Are we expecting Mike Jackson to still be caretaker manager playing whatever players happen to be left over?

The timeline is valid but you won't expect a lot of movement transfer wise at any club till late June at the earliest (it'd normally be from 1st July), ideally we need to get a manager in place by next week, for that to happen it needs to be our first choice rather than going through another selection process.

Once the manager issue is dealt with, the player recruitment can start.

Like I said, I'll see where we are in the next few weeks before starting to froth at the mouth, we may all be in despair but may also be full of optimism when the season get underway.

[boyyanno]

Mee and Cork were probably the two out of contract players I would have wanted to keep (excluding Tarks who was never going to stay). Very Worrying.

[Cirrus_Minor]

I can’t say I blame him and he really owes us nowt.

But this is what relegation from the premier league looks like for a club in dept. I expect more of this to come.

We really do need to get a manager on board as soon as possible don’t we.

[Jamesy]

I won’t be surprised to see him re-United with Sean Dyche next season.

Wouldn’t even be surprised if it’s already agreed.

A big big loss for us.

You don’t seriously believe Dyche will get a Premier League job do you?

[Stayingup]

Will be a loss but change is needed, new manager & a new Tarks/Mee partnership, if the club is going to improve & move on we need any manager the freedom to build his own squad. Remember it was the Tarks/Mee partnership that we have been relegated with.

Without them and Pope we would have been relegated at Christmas.

[Jamesy]

I can’t say I blame him and he really owes us nowt.

But this is what relegation from the premier league looks like for a club in dept. I expect more of this to come.

We really do need to get a manager on board as soon as possible don’t we.

Don’t worry, Alan is onto it. No rush.

[Mala591]

Kompany might actually consider the large number of first team squad vacancies an advantage. He can recruit the players of his choice without too much hassle.