Just one more Burnley game (assuming he came through last night with no further niggles) for James Tarkowski.

What a player he’s been for us and what better way to sign off than by giving us one more defensive masterclass to keep us in the Premier League. Come on ‘Tarky’ you can do it!

He’s been a colossus for us and it’s been a pleasure to see him playing for Burnley. So many great performances.

I wish we could keep him, I wish he’d been given more England opportunities despite playing for ‘little Burnley’, his performances have deserved it!

Thank you and wherever you go, the best of luck.

He’s been immense for us since the new year when a lot of players would have downed tools and seen out their contract. Deserves one last big move.

Tremendous signing for such a small outlay.
6yrs and he's been a key mainstay of our defence since Keane left.

Going through some stuff. Came across Dyche wanting to sign him back in 2014.
From Oldham?
And then send him back on loan.

Best of Luck Tarks

I'm still dreaming he'll have a change of heart, but if not the best of luck, and a massive thank you.
The effort, even after he decided to leave has been unfaltering.

You'll always be a Claret Tarks.

My Dad, who is 66, reckons he is the best centre back he's ever seen play for us.

That says a lot, as he is even more pessimistic than me. I regret questioning his desire for us after the game at Elland Road, because his performances since that game have been, arguably, the best he has ever played for us.

It's obvious he is going I guess, but if we were to stay up I would quite genuinely be offering him a signing on fee of £10m straight cash to stay (as it would cost double that, if not triple, to find a player as good to replace him with). I get the impression he wants to move for his career rather than money though, which is absolutely fair enough as he has earned that right ten times over in his time at Burnley.

One more mammoth performance James, I beg.

Couldn't agree more. Collosal, outstanding and committed seem appropriate words.

I have been watching the Clarets since 1960. Tarks is without doubt the best cb we have had imo. Apart from City and Liverpool, he'd be starting every week at any PL club.

Been absolutely brilliant for us and I wish him all the best for the future

Fancy him to nod in the winner on Sunday.

Great player for us and I hope he’s not the next Michael Keane and goes on to perform with the same high standards wherever he ends up.

Should've had about twenty England caps during his time with Burnley. Fantastic defender. One more big performance please.

TheFamilyCat wrote: ↑

Fri May 20, 2022 9:19 am

Fancy him to nod in the winner on Sunday.

If Carling did…. last game for a club

How many dads will have little Nigel hold up a "Tarky can I have your shirt" A4 coloured in poster... (shudders at the thought)

One of the best to play for our club ever. I will certainly not begrudge him a contract at a new probably bigger club with a massive wage. He's been an excellent servant for us and I hope he plays a big part in our game on Sunday

James Tarkowski - take a bow son

Colossus in recent matches.
I hope he able to just stand and chat to Nick Pope on Sunday!

Been an outstanding player for us and I hope he prospers wherever he goes. Like others I was hoping that he might have had a change of heart and stayed with us but if he is off to Newcastle maybe we might just get an easier game on Sunday …..

Zlatan wrote: ↑

Fri May 20, 2022 10:20 am

How many dads will have little Nigel hold up a "Tarky can I have your shirt" A4 coloured in poster... (shudders at the thought)

One of the best to play for our club ever. I will certainly not begrudge him a contract at a new probably bigger club with a massive wage. He's been an excellent servant for us and I hope he plays a big part in our game on Sunday

James Tarkowski - take a bow son

There haven't been any Nigel's born for about 40 years!

The youngster is likely to be Alfie or Harry.

Best CB ever? Are you forgetting Mark Winstanley

Best CB in my 25 years of watching us, I honestly think Collins could go on to be better, he looks better on the ball already

I agree about Collins

Burnley1989 wrote: ↑

Fri May 20, 2022 2:10 pm

Best CB in my 25 years of watching us, I honestly think Collins could go on to be better, he looks better on the ball already

Tarky is immense but as you say at such a young age Collins could be anything he chooses to be. If he can cut out the impulsive errors then he could easily become one of the best there is IMO. Had he been English and not Irish I think there would be a lot more being made of him by the media.

I remember being furious with him after he did 'that interview' when he basically said he'd be seeing out his contract and leaving. 9 times out of 10 that player would down tools and try and force a move, but Tarky has been the epitome of professionalism.

Such a classy player who deserves to play at a higher level.

FeedTheArf wrote: ↑

Fri May 20, 2022 2:54 pm

I remember being furious with him after he did 'that interview' when he basically said he'd be seeing out his contract and leaving. 9 times out of 10 that player would down tools and try and force a move, but Tarky has been the epitome of professionalism.

Such a classy player who deserves to play at a higher level.

The contrast between him and Christensen at Chelsea couldn't be any bigger.
Looks like Christensen has downed tools a few times, declining to play because he didn't feel like it, not just the cup final.

Thank you and good luck James.

Our best center half for a long long time and maybe our best ever. Gutted we can’t find a way to keep him. The good news is that Collins might prove to be even better.

Someone on Reddit saying Newcastle is a done deal

We don't always have a song for individual players. In James Tarkovsky's case my choice would've been "TARKY FOR ENGLAND!"

Whether or not he'll ever be back in the England squad remains to be seen, but it would make for a fitting and fond farewell chant for him to hear on Sunday.

He has been simply amazing. I just love his sarcastic smile when a forward bounces of him and trys to claim a foul.

Sarum wrote: ↑

Fri May 20, 2022 3:20 pm

We don't always have a song for individual players. In James Tarkovsky's case my choice would've been "TARKY FOR ENGLAND!"

Whether or not he'll ever be back in the England squad remains to be seen, but it would make for a fitting and fond farewell chant for him to hear on Sunday.

There's always the charming, 'Tarky, knock him out' chant.

No-one can ever blame him for not giving his all for the club while he's still here.

One more performance like this on Sunday and then he deserves a hero's send off for me

I remember many similar things being said about Keane when he left and Tarky was taking over, he's turned out better for sure, I'm confident Collins will be another improvement, especially if playing along side Ben next season.

Will Sunday be Tarky's job interview, expecting him to be a rock and show the Toon's what they can expect, or will he be replacing Keane at Everton?

Either way I wish him the best of luck, he's certainly been a tremendous player for us.

Should have built a team around him and given him captaincy.

I can’t see Collins ever being able to physically dominate his opponents like Tarks does. I may be proven wrong. Tarks has been class this season and I’m glad we will have the opportunity to see him pull on the claret shirt a final time after his recent injury could have kept him out for the season. Hopefully we will part on a high note!

jedi_master wrote: ↑

Fri May 20, 2022 9:11 am

I get the impression he wants to move for his career rather than money though

I think that's spot on. I don't think it's anything to do with money really. He's 29, it's his last big contract/move, I think he genuinely wants to move to further his career, which we certainly can't blame him for.

I wish him all the best, just hope he has one last big performance on Sunday

Rileybobs wrote: ↑

Fri May 20, 2022 5:46 pm

I can’t see Collins ever being able to physically dominate his opponents like Tarks does. I may be proven wrong. Tarks has been class this season and I’m glad we will have the opportunity to see him pull on the claret shirt a final time after his recent injury could have kept him out for the season. Hopefully we will part on a high note!

you are probably right, but the way the game is going i don't see that physical dominance as a priority.

I'd love it if we could get Michael Keane back to partner Collins; two good ball playing defenders.