Much was made some time ago of our foresight in having Tarkowski lined up to step in after the inevitable departure of Michael Keane.
Most on here would agree that we need a 4th CB for coverage but, besides that, how much can we glean from the lack of succession planning should Tarkowski move on next summer? Basically, is this issue being overlooked because Sean feels it won't be his problem because he'll have moved on himself?

Any thoughts?

Thats ridiculous, you could say that about any number of players.

To an extent, I agree with you Macca. However, we are much more than most teams an outfit set up from the back, so defenders (and especially CBs) are particularly vital to us.

How do you know there's a lack of succession planning? We are very likely to have targets ready should we lose any of our players. The good news is that hardly any of the first team squad are out of contract next summer - only Arfield from those who played yesterday.

I agree, CT, that I don't know that succession plans are not in place and the outstanding way in which the club operates at all levels would lead me to expect there are such plans.

All the same, it can't be denied that we don't have a replacement CB 'in the building' in the same way we had for Keane; this would allow vital time to immerse the player in the Burnley way of doing things, essential in succession planning in any organisation.

Why is there such negativity surrounding Sean Dyche. Does someone know something that they're not sharing with the rest of us, or does it come from a feeling of "Oh he'll go at some time, I may as well get in a TOLD YOU SO thread in before it happens"

Sean Dyche is building something pretty damn special here and there is nothing to suggest that he would leave HIS project part-finished.

I notice Dyche made special mention of Kevin Long in his post match stuff yesterday.Dyche obviously rates him highly regardless of what us experts on here think.

For goodness sake, i've been supporting Burnley since 1952, i have never known us to be in a more organised and financially sound position, every day i pinch myself to see if i am dreaming, this Club at the moment seems to be in very safe hands, the Chairman, the board of Directors, Sean Dyche and his staff, the players,everyone seems to be enjoying the ride, when and if we stumble everyone will sit back and assess the situation, lets not find fault till we have one, let us as supporters enjoy what we have at this moment in time. Doom and Gloom.

Not intended to be a negative post. I hope Sean Dyche is building something at Burnley which will go down in football history, not just for his achievements with us but for the light he (and the Board) shine generally for how clubs should be run.

I agree that it was smart man-management to mention the players on the bench or outside the squad at the moment too and hope that signals a personal investment in their futures, rather than just 'doing the right thing' in management terms.

Coming back to the negativity point, a messageboard is surely here to discuss issues of interest: the OP was an invitation to discuss a vitally important issue, rather than state an opinion.

Boss man clearly has faith in our current defenders and who are we to argue after our start?! Even our previously much maligned second choice keeper (by some at least) has been in great form. I'm sure, if a player had come available within our structure we'd have moved for him. As it stands, I can't fault him or the board as custodians of the club at present.

RocketLawnChair wrote:I notice Dyche made special mention of Kevin Long in his post match stuff yesterday.Dyche obviously rates him highly regardless of what us experts on here think.

Just because he mentions him doesn’t mean he rates him in the slightest. But it’s great man management skills no doubt.

I agree we live in amazing times EW and have gone a long way to establishing a unique selling point (maybe, not quite unique!) as a club where talented young players serious about playing football, rather than just making money, see their chance of establishing themselves - just like the 60's.

I've no problem with any of our current defenders but hope we do have targets in mind. As I said earlier, I'd always prefer them 'in the building' 6-12 months before any matching outgoings.

RocketLawnChair wrote:I notice Dyche made special mention of Kevin Long in his post match stuff yesterday.Dyche obviously rates him highly regardless of what us experts on here think.

No one on here can claim to be an expert on Kevin Long, hardly anyone's seen him play

I am of the opinion that replacing Mee or Tarks will be slightly easier in some ways than finding a back up centre half of sufficient cover this summer.

Yes it will take a fair amount of money but you would be bringing a player in as a starter instead of identifying and convincing someone to come in and cover. During the summer I couldn't think of anyone that I thought could come in as cover (willing to), with a view to perhaps being first choice in the future.

Blakesheaven wrote:
Any thoughts?

Yes.

The question before this one is one of the most stupid questions I've seen on here.

Winstonswhite wrote:Just because he mentions him doesn’t mean he rates him in the slightest. But it’s great man management skills no doubt.

Fair point. How about sorting out a new contract for him and not making a back up centre back top priority in the transfer window. I'd say Dyche rates Long

I'm sure a new defender is something that is already being looked at.
They have to be available, willing and capable and I imagine finding a player with all three of those things is very difficult.

As for essentially not being bothered, I can't see this being the case at all.
He's already built a legacy. We are 6th in the Premier League and that will never be forgotten, by any of us. Why on earth would he not want to preserve that legacy, he must be as aware as the rest of us that his time at Burnley may be the best his career ever sees - I doubt it, but it's possible.

Same as August. We need another CH. Long is not enough and I don't think Taylor is the answer. Our two starters are set in stone so a young, promising player is the way to go. £5m tops.
Back to the OP and I'd doubt anything is overlooked by this man. He'll know what he wants, he'll tell the board and they'll do what they can. Outrageous to suggest he's not looking to the future of Burnley FC whilst he is still the manager.

Think it's a bit naive to think people don't have an eye to their own futures (ie - the next job) whilst still in post - be it in football or anywhere else.

I agree Dyche is a detail man - I think he'd have most likely have been successful in management in whatever sector he'd gone into. Lucky for us, he chose football and, at the moment, Burnley. Long may it last.

Of course he will have his eye on the next job, but also he will see and hear what happens at other clubs.

Dyche picks his team, picks his transfers and has helped with the training facilities etc.

At other clubs the head coach or manager is usually only allowed to pick the match day team.

You're right that the amount of control and reasonableness of the Board's expectations are key to Dyche wishing to stay - the situation at other clubs is often ridiculous - I can't see him being tempted by Crystal Palace any time soon.

Blakesheaven wrote:Think it's a bit naive to think people don't have an eye to their own futures (ie - the next job) whilst still in post - be it in football or anywhere else.

I agree Dyche is a detail man - I think he'd have most likely have been successful in management in whatever sector he'd gone into. Lucky for us, he chose football and, at the moment, Burnley. Long may it last.

Why ask the question about him possibly overlooking (not caring) about getting a centre back in because he may know he's leaving next summer then?

Five years of building a club and suddenly he's not going to care how he leaves the pool of centre backs at this club because he's got one eye on the future.

Do you not listen to the man, and notice his integrity?

Not questioning things is not a very healthy mentality, even with people you like and trust. Blind faith left us all on the floor when Coyle did one. Not suggesting for one minute that Dyche would ever behave in that way - he's a hundred times the man, let alone the manager Coyle ever was or is.

I like the way Dyche talks about succession planning; I like it even better when I see it happening.

I questioned the fact that we hadn't brought a centre back in all summer, but one thing that didn't enter my head was that the manager didn't care about it because he knows that he's off soon.

Fair play to you on questioning the lack of an additional CB. I guess we'll all be happier when one arrives, preferably before Tarkowski or Mee are snapped up elsewhere.

I guess what we're all in agreement with, apart from you Blakes; is we're quite content.You're certainly entitled to you opinion but the whole thread seems a moot point at present!

I'm more than content - I'm delighted with the state of the club. Dyche himself has commented that it's not a 'forever thing' and we have to bear this in mind even as we enjoy the good times.

The larger hope on the succession planning front is that the Board have their eyes to what comes next - given their track record, I'd back them on this.

I think they have already started planning for Sean's departure
MIchael Duff

California Colner wrote:I think they have already started planning for Sean's departure
MIchael Duff

That's just a natural progression surely?

blackburnturfite wrote:For goodness sake, i've been supporting Burnley since 1952, i have never known us to be in a more organised and financially sound position, every day i pinch myself to see if i am dreaming, this Club at the moment seems to be in very safe hands, the Chairman, the board of Directors, Sean Dyche and his staff, the players,everyone seems to be enjoying the ride, when and if we stumble everyone will sit back and assess the situation, lets not find fault till we have one, let us as supporters enjoy what we have at this moment in time. Doom and Gloom.

Great post.

I have heard great things about Ollie Younger, who has been watched some European clubs and Man City already. Perhaps those of you who are familiar with our youngsters might comment - is he a future first team central defender, or could we lose him before seeing him in action? Could he make the breakthrough in the next couple of years?

To suggest Dyche hasn't signed another CB because it won't be his problem flies in the face of everything he's done since he's been at Burnley, which has been a masterclass in meticulous planning for short, medium and long term.

What we need to worry about is not succession planning for Tarko, but for Dyche himself.

Yes, Scouse, my point at Post 27 - Dyche is the real prize asset.

Dyche is still very young to the job. It's his project, he won't have that at a 'bigger' club.

Just remind me did we not sign Charlie Taylor in the summer?

In your opening post you ask what can be made of the lack of succession planning.

In post 5 you admit that you do not know whether there is a lack of succession planning or not.

In post 27 you back the board to have more than likely already put in place succession planning.

Think you've answered your own question mate!

I'd expect us to bring a few players in Jan that will be succession planning players; CH, RW/LW, maybe another striker (I think Barnes may be on borrowed time next Summer and Walters looks a bit of a waste although the idea was sound). Last Summer and last Jan we got Pope, Westwood, Brady. Now, we've got Taylor & Wells settling in & waiting in the wings and apart from Right/Left Mid & CH we've got all bases covered for this year and next season as well.