Last Night's Q&A with the chairman and Mat Williams

[Andreshotboots]

Did anybody else attend this?
Mr. Williams was incredibly open about everything to do with the crazy transfer window we've just had, and to be fair probably said far more than anybody in the room was expecting.

The crux of it was, he had the agents of 4 players on the phone immediately after the Spurs game saying their players wanted out and would never play for us again.

Several players demanded transfers later as well, one had said he'll just sit out his contract and train with the kids if he had too.

There was all sorts of stuff regarding the players that have now left the club, so I'm not really naming names etc. But on a positive note what he did say is Brownhill, Cullen have been model professionals, despite interest didn't demand a move.

He also described "Steve" as an absolute gem, and said as soon as he found out Ekdal was injured I think it was, "Steve" had asked to be withdrawn from the Olympic squad as he wanted to be fit and ready to play for us.

Amazing night and such an insightful one hearing things I thought I'd never hear.

For me a few thing things came out of it, agents are absolutely ruining the game we love, and Kompany despite being an incrediy intelligent guy and and a top coach, had very very poor man management skills.

[randomclaret2]

Anything said about Tresor ?

[Goliath]

Did anybody else attend this?
Mr. Williams was incredibly open about everything to do with the crazy transfer window we've just had, and to be fair probably said far more than anybody in the room was expecting.

The crux of it was, he had the agents of 4 players on the phone immediately after the Spurs game saying their players wanted out and would never play for us again.

Several players demanded transfers later as well, one had said he'll just sit out his contract and train with the kids if he had too.

There was all sorts of stuff regarding the players that have now left the club, so I'm not really naming names etc. But on a positive note what he did say is Brownhill, Cullen have been model professionals, despite interest didn't demand a move.

He also described "Steve" as an absolute gem, and said as soon as he found out Ekdal was injured I think it was, "Steve" had asked to be withdrawn from the Olympic squad as he wanted to be fit and ready to play for us.

Amazing night and such an insightful one hearing things I thought I'd never hear.

For me a few thing things came out of it, agents are absolutely ruining the game we love, and Kompany despite being an incrediy intelligent guy and and a top coach, had very very poor man management skills.

Interesting and I hope more details can be released.
Regarding Kompany I suppose man management skills are only really.judged when things aren't going well. Everyone is a lot happier when wins are coming so it probably gets swet under the carpet more. I expect him to do well at Bayern for that reason.

Obviously without knowing player names it's hard to say much about those who refused to play but i must say I'm surprised Odobert wasn't one of them after the Spurs game. I imagine he and Amdouni were 2 that kicked off later on though.

It really makes me question the point of it all..we went down a route of bringing in some.brilliant technical players most of whom were wanted around Europe. But as soon as anything goes wrong they down tools, so what's the point in signing them?

We basically have a choice of a poorer level of player and accepting we will never achieve much more than mid table Prem. Or we try to be ambitious knowing we will have a bunch of mercenaries that we will need to replace every year or 2.

[Andreshotboots]

Anything said about Tresor ?

He said he had genuinely been very ill, but is over it now. Despite that there was interest in him and he was open to a move. The club however have told the player we've paid a large fee for you and we expect to see some return in that before we let you move. Fair play to BFC on that one...

There was no suggestion Tresor is sulking etc, but don't be surprised if he leaves in January, or more realistically August, especially if we haven't been promoted...

[Andreshotboots]

Interesting and I hope more details can be released.
Regarding Kompany I suppose man management skills are only really.judged when things aren't going well. Everyone is a lot happier when wins are coming so it probably gets swet under the carpet more. I expect him to do well at Bayern for that reason.

Obviously without knowing player names it's hard to say much about those who refused to play but i must say I'm surprised Odobert wasn't one of them after the Spurs game. I imagine he and Amdouni were 2 that kicked off later on though.

It really makes me question the point of it all..we went down a route of bringing in some.brilliant technical players most of whom were wanted around Europe. But as soon as anything goes wrong they down tools, so what's the point in signing them?

We basically have a choice of a poorer level of player and accepting we will never achieve much more than mid table Prem. Or we try to be ambitious knowing we will have a bunch of mercenaries that we will need to replace every year or 2.

A very popular keeper was the player who threatened to down tools..

[RVclaret]

I read some other comments that no current players have release clauses too, which puts to bed the idea those long contracts for Luca and Esteve would have them.

[ŽižkovClaret]

We basically have a choice of a poorer level of player and accepting we will never achieve much more than mid table Prem. Or we try to be ambitious knowing we will have a bunch of mercenaries that we will need to replace every year or 2.

I think there is wisdom in a mixture. We don't want a team of XI solid pros, it got boring, nor do we want a team of mercurial mercenaries. QPR under Warnock shows what happens there.

A solid spine / base with some magic on the wings and up top? Yes please

[randomclaret2]

He said he had genuinely been very ill, but is over it now. Despite that there was interest in him and he was open to a move. The club however have told the player we've paid a large fee for you and we expect to see some return in that before we let you move. Fair play to BFC on that one...

There was no suggestion Tresor is sulking etc, but don't be surprised if he leaves in January, or more realistically August, especially if we haven't been promoted...

Thanks

[gandhisflipflop]

Some players and agents are an absolute disgrace

[NewClaret]

Interesting and I hope more details can be released.
Regarding Kompany I suppose man management skills are only really.judged when things aren't going well. Everyone is a lot happier when wins are coming so it probably gets swet under the carpet more. I expect him to do well at Bayern for that reason.

Obviously without knowing player names it's hard to say much about those who refused to play but i must say I'm surprised Odobert wasn't one of them after the Spurs game. I imagine he and Amdouni were 2 that kicked off later on though.

It really makes me question the point of it all..we went down a route of bringing in some.brilliant technical players most of whom were wanted around Europe. But as soon as anything goes wrong they down tools, so what's the point in signing them?

We basically have a choice of a poorer level of player and accepting we will never achieve much more than mid table Prem. Or we try to be ambitious knowing we will have a bunch of mercenaries that we will need to replace every year or 2.

This definitely just about summarises the challenge, doesn’t it?

The answer, I think, has to be to find a core of experienced professionals (but maybe overlooked/frozen out elsewhere) - you could put Barkley last summer and maybe Phillips this summer in that category, coupled with 2-3 exciting/ambitious young signings that we might expect to make money on in future. It’ll be making a success of those signings and choosing them well that would sustain the model.

In my view the “demanding to leave” point could maybe be rectified by contractual clauses that if any player asks to leave or refuses to play for us again, they would go to basic pay, lose any rights to loyalty bonus’, etc - although that’s probably the case today.

[Andreshotboots]

Some players and agents are an absolute disgrace

That was 100% the case last night..of course for balance we only have Burnley's perspective on it all, but I hardly think Mr Williams would make up the stuff he told us..

[Andreshotboots]

This definitely just about summarises the challenge, doesn’t it?

The answer, I think, has to be to find a core of experienced professionals (but maybe overlooked/frozen out elsewhere) - you could put Barkley last summer and maybe Phillips this summer in that category, coupled with 2-3 exciting/ambitious young signings that we might expect to make money on in future. It’ll be making a success of those signings and choosing them well that would sustain the model.

In my view the “demanding to leave” point could maybe be rectified by contractual clauses that if any player asks to leave or refuses to play for us again, they would go to basic pay, lose any rights to loyalty bonus’, etc - although that’s probably the case today.

My understanding was some players left with a lot more dignity and respect towards the club than others.

[Dyched]

Interesting and I hope more details can be released.
Regarding Kompany I suppose man management skills are only really.judged when things aren't going well. Everyone is a lot happier when wins are coming so it probably gets swet under the carpet more. I expect him to do well at Bayern for that reason.

Obviously without knowing player names it's hard to say much about those who refused to play but i must say I'm surprised Odobert wasn't one of them after the Spurs game. I imagine he and Amdouni were 2 that kicked off later on though.

It really makes me question the point of it all..we went down a route of bringing in some.brilliant technical players most of whom were wanted around Europe. But as soon as anything goes wrong they down tools, so what's the point in signing them?

We basically have a choice of a poorer level of player and accepting we will never achieve much more than mid table Prem. Or we try to be ambitious knowing we will have a bunch of mercenaries that we will need to replace every year or 2.

That’s they way football has gone tbh. You see it more and more with players actually coming out in interviews having a go at pundits for saying they’ve been crap. Few more years and we won’t be even be able to discuss how poor players have been. Managers are pretty much screwed now. You could see VK style (over top of course) but the modern player won’t stand for it anymore. They want pats on the back, all the applause when things go well but will never accept when it doesn’t. I’d love to know which players demanded moves and what they actually contributed to last season. Footballs all about stacking up the number of passes and taking all the applause for it.

[NewClaret]

Thank you to the OP, won’t quote it all.

Wasn’t aware and certainly wasn’t there. Was it a FAB thing?

Will start by saying the club could really do with doing a Q&A with all fans like this, proceeds to BFCitC. It’d go such a long way to building a strong relationship with the fanbase.

My guess is the four were:

Muric
Amdouni
Odobert
Anass

Berge, O’Shea, etc I’d say came later.

Any more you can say?

[MeeActon1]

[quote=Goliath post
Obviously without knowing player names it's hard to say much about those who refused to play but i must say I'm surprised Odobert wasn't one of them after the Spurs game. I imagine he and Amdouni were 2 that kicked off later on though.


[/quote]

This post from Connor Roberts would suggest that Amdouni was not one of them.

[NewClaret]

My understanding was some players left with a lot more dignity and respect towards the club than others.

Was there any confidence given that Trafford, Tresor & Koleosho weren’t part of that group wanting out?

I think it’s disgusting if any players disrespected the club anyway.

[NewClaret]

[quote=Goliath post
Obviously without knowing player names it's hard to say much about those who refused to play but i must say I'm surprised Odobert wasn't one of them after the Spurs game. I imagine he and Amdouni were 2 that kicked off later on though.

This post from Connor Roberts would suggest that Amdouni was not one of them.
[/quote]

Good point, had forgotten that.

[Gp8419]

Thanks for that very interesting.could I just ask was it held at the ground? Many there? Cheers op

[Poulton-le-Claret]

Amazing that some players can call themselves 'professionals' with those attitudes. Good riddance to the lot who spat their dummies out.

[ChorltonCharlie]

That’s they way football has gone tbh. You see it more and more with players actually coming out in interviews having a go at pundits for saying they’ve been crap. Few more years and we won’t be even be able to discuss how poor players have been. Managers are pretty much screwed now. You could see VK style (over top of course) but the modern player won’t stand for it anymore. They want pats on the back, all the applause when things go well but will never accept when it doesn’t. I’d love to know which players demanded moves and what they actually contributed to last season. Footballs all about stacking up the number of passes and taking all the applause for it.

To be fair, I don't think this is just about football, more societal. In my line of work we have the same problems with people not wanting to be accountable for their own performance. Managers have to tread around on egg shells getting people to improve, and when they do have a no hoper and formally tackle performance, it's everyone's fault but their own and is usually followed by bullying accusations against the line manager.

[Andreshotboots]

This post from Connor Roberts would suggest that Amdouni was not one of them.

Good point, had forgotten that.
[/quote]

Amdouni was 100 % one of them..

[Andreshotboots]

Thanks for that very interesting.could I just ask was it held at the ground? Many there? Cheers op

It was held at the Turf yes, from what I can gather the night was aimed at potential new investors in terms of corporate stuff etc..i was just a guest of one of them, and a fan,.so I was like a kid in a sweet shop

[Swizzlestick]

Just because Roberts was obviously on good terms with Amdouni doesn't mean he didn't kick off.

[Andreshotboots]

Amazing that some players can call themselves 'professionals' with those attitudes. Good riddance to the lot who spat their dummies out.

I think looking back now this was cryptically touched on in a few of SP's early pressers.

From what I can gather now, 99% of the lads playing for us now want to be there and play for us..

[Andreshotboots]

Zaroury was a very interesting one, was apparently gutted when a loan bid from Hull was accepted.

Probably explains his poor performances.

Apparently SP who is an incredible man manager, put his arm around him pre season, had lots of chats with him etc and didn't want him to go.

It seems though VK had already done the damage, and AZ 's thoughts were I've helped the club get promoted once and been binned off, so it might happen again so he wanted a new start, can't really blame him to be honest..

[Quickenthetempo]

At first I liked Matt Williams, but I struggle to believe a word he says anymore.
He is very loose with words and often strays from truth.

He says 4 players agents told him after the spurs game, his clients won't play for the club again.
There wasn't 4 changes for the team against Forest.

[Rileybobs]

Whilst this reflects very poorly on the players who underachieved and then downed tools, it also doesn't paint our transfer activity under VK in a good light. Where was the due dilligence on the character of the players we signed? A lot of criticism is levelled at our transfer business, or lack thereof, in the Dyche/Garlick era, but we generally signed good eggs.

[Ric_C]

Couple of points

1. Just when you couldn't love Steve any more, we hear this about him. What a guy!

2. As for the players demanding to be sold after the Spurs game good riddance to all of them I say.

3. Really hope Tresor shows us what he can do.

4. The DNA of the club is built around guys like Brownhill, Cullen, Barnes, Cork etc, I feel we lost too many of our core all at once. It is good to hear we seem to have a few good characters that have joined recently.

[Rileybobs]

At first I liked Matt Williams, but I struggle to believe a word he says anymore.
He is very loose with words and often strays from truth.

He says 4 players agents told him after the spurs game, his clients won't play for the club again.
There wasn't 4 changes for the team against Forest.

Who said those 4 players played against Spurs?

[Andreshotboots]

At first I liked Matt Williams, but I struggle to believe a word he says anymore.
He is very loose with words and often strays from truth.

He says 4 players agents told him after the spurs game, his clients won't play for the club again.
There wasn't 4 changes for the team against Forest.

No I thought that, he was probably eluding too they won't play for Burnley in the Championship, but a couple certainly did in the early games until they got their moves.

[Ric_C]

I'm guessing O'Shea, Odobert, Amdouni and Muric?

Berge doesn't seem the type of guy to down tools and demand a move, but who knows?

[daveisaclaret]

I think just about the only player who never played for us again (excluding those who already weren't at the club) after Spurs is Tresor. Think Matt Williams has a bit of a tendency to say things he shouldn't because he thinks it's what people want to hear.

[Clive 1960]

Agent's in my view have ruined the game, its ok looking after the players interests but what about a bit of loyalty towards the club who pay them ..

[Andreshotboots]

I'm guessing O'Shea, Odobert, Amdouni and Muric?

Berge doesn't seem the type of guy to down tools and demand a move, but who knows?

I think he was one of them although he kept his head down and trained hard, until the little "injury" came along of course.

I think from last night's talk, a certain Irish defender was one who kicked up the biggest stink andout wanting to leave and several heated discussions were apparently had.

[Andreshotboots]

I think just about the only player who never played for us again (excluding those who already weren't at the club) after Spurs is Tresor. Think Matt Williams has a bit of a tendency to say things he shouldn't because he thinks it's what people want to hear.

Yeah very true, maybe it was just agent talk basically pressurising the club into accepting bids, who knows mate?

[Andreshotboots]

I think just about the only player who never played for us again (excluding those who already weren't at the club) after Spurs is Tresor. Think Matt Williams has a bit of a tendency to say things he shouldn't because he thinks it's what people want to hear.

Yeah very true, maybe it was just agent talk basically pressurising the club into accepting bids, who knows mate?

[Clive 1960]

I think he was one of them although he kept his head down and trained hard, until the little "injury" came along of course.

I think from last night's talk, a certain Irish defender was one who kicked up the biggest stink andout wanting to leave and several heated discussions were apparently had.

I'm not to sure about that as he played but got to remember everyone was up for sale in a way to reduce the debt..

[ClaretPete001]

It's baked in with the clubs policy of turning over players. Many of us observed on here that the way VK dumped players would likely cause conflict and upset - not too mention having such a big squad.

It's a bit like New Labour allowing the bank of England to be independent and pursuing light touch regulation and then crying when the banks bust the world economy.

Players and Banks shouldn't behave as they do but as the Scorpion said to the Frog who was carrying the Scorpion to safety after rainfall flooded a river - you can't blame me for stinging you that's what I do.

[Andreshotboots]

I'm not to sure about that as he played but got to remember everyone was up for sale in a way to reduce the debt..

Again, I don't know Mr Williams so he may embellish the truth, but he eluded to every club that put a bid in for him, and there were 3 of them, DOS had an lifelong desire to play for them so wanted the club to sell him. The issue was they weren't meating the clubs valuation.

[Goliath]

I think just about the only player who never played for us again (excluding those who already weren't at the club) after Spurs is Tresor. Think Matt Williams has a bit of a tendency to say things he shouldn't because he thinks it's what people want to hear.

Did anyone ask him about Ashley Barnes

[Goliath]

Again, I don't know Mr Williams so he may embellish the truth, but he eluded to every club that put a bid in for him, and there were 3 of them, DOS had an lifelong desire to play for them so wanted the club to sell him. The issue was they weren't meating the clubs valuation.

Celtic maybe?

[NottsClaret]

Whilst this reflects very poorly on the players who underachieved and then downed tools, it also doesn't paint our transfer activity under VK in a good light. Where was the due dilligence on the character of the players we signed? A lot of criticism is levelled at our transfer business, or lack thereof, in the Dyche/Garlick era, but we generally signed good eggs.

Yeah, feels like we've swung from one extreme to the other. Dyche was adamant about researching character, almost above anything else and it did serve us well although maybe restricted our 'market' at times.

Under VK and his team, we seem to have gone for a purely data model. You do unearth some talent but I can't believe we knew too much about the character of lads playing 2nd division football in France or wherever. Every now and again you will strike gold with someone like Steve, who's both ridiculously good and a model pro. Costly when it goes wrong, mind.

[Quickenthetempo]

Who said those 4 players played against Spurs?

Nobody, but the poster who was there indicated it was.

Have a read of the thread.

[MrTopTier]

At first I liked Matt Williams, but I struggle to believe a word he says anymore.
He is very loose with words and often strays from truth.

He says 4 players agents told him after the spurs game, his clients won't play for the club again.
There wasn't 4 changes for the team against Forest.

Didn’t know Matt Williams was in charge of team selection.

Matt Williams is highly regarded at Burnley and was extremely well thought of at Blackpool and was one of of few who came out of the Oyston era with any credit.

He is a straight talker and I suspect that is why he does well with the fans, yes he may say stuff,how it is, but there are enough corporate people around if you want to listen to them. Williams is that connection between the boardroom and the fans and reading the comments above suggests that those that were there, appreciated that as well.

[123EasyasBFC]

People questioning the truth in what Matt Williams is saying and saying he says things he shouldn’t be saying, I hardly think a Q&A with Alan Pace and Matt Williams didn’t have some prep before it about what they can and can’t say.

If we are being honest, after the spurs game with relegation being confirmed, what agent wouldn’t be trying to get their client a better deal at a club not in the championship. From a fan point of view we want players to take us back up who have been the reason we went down but that’s just football.

Whispers of muric saying after forest game that he wasn’t going to report for pre season so that’s one of the 4. By all accounts zaroury and benson wanted out because of the way kompany had treated them. It’s likely Amdouni, Berge and odoberts agent were on the phone to.

O’Shea apparently acted poorly once there was interest in him which is disappointing when for the majority of last season he wasn’t very good.

Roberts and brownhill have new deals on the table so it’s interesting that neither have accepted yet

[MrTopTier]

I'm guessing O'Shea, Odobert, Amdouni and Muric?

Berge doesn't seem the type of guy to down tools and demand a move, but who knows?

The four players who asked for a move were Berge, Odobert, O’Shea and Zaroury.

Not sure downing tools is the right phrase.

[Quickenthetempo]

Didn’t know Matt Williams was in charge of team selection.

Matt Williams is highly regarded at Burnley and was extremely well thought of at Blackpool and was one of of few who came out of the Oyston era with any credit.

He is a straight talker and I suspect that is why he does well with the fans, yes he may say stuff,how it is, but there are enough corporate people around if you want to listen to them. Williams is that connection between the boardroom and the fans and reading the comments above suggests that those that were there, appreciated that as well.

I'm not asking you to take my stance. You should choose for yourself.

I just think he's a bit of a story teller and goes off piste with the truth.

[123EasyasBFC]

The four players who asked for a move were Berge, Odobert, O’Shea and Zaroury.

Not sure downing tools is the right phrase.

Muric to

[BigF]

At first I liked Matt Williams, but I struggle to believe a word he says anymore.
He is very loose with words and often strays from truth.

He says 4 players agents told him after the spurs game, his clients won't play for the club again.
There wasn't 4 changes for the team against Forest.

I think you have disrespected Matt Williams. He speaks extremely well and is open and clear about what he says. There may be some things that he doesn't say, keeping confidences etc, but he does not make up information

[Poulton-le-Claret]

Celtic maybe?

My thoughts exactly, although I imagine they were hoping a bid could unsettle him enough to force the move to them, because there is no way they could match the asking price for a decent PL footballer.