WARNING: Comments which break our terms and conditions, particularly if using abusive or obscene language, will be deleted and the authors may be banned from the site. Persistent abusers may be reported to internet service providers and, in extreme cases, the police. If misuse of the comments facility persists, we may remove the facility altogether. Two IP addresses have been banned.
CONTRACT: James O'Connor has been offered a new deal to stay at Burnley
OWEN Coyle faces a wait to hear if any of the five players offered new deals want to extend their careers with Burnley.
The Clarets boss has made offers to goalkeeper Brian Jensen, left back Jon Harley, midfielder James O'Connor and 18-year-old striker Jay Rodriguez, while veteran defender David Unsworth has been offered a one-year contract in a player-coach role.
Although Coyle is keen to make his own additions in the summer, keeping the nucleus of the squad together is key to his aim to strengthen.
Jensen is the club's current longest serving player and recently spoke of his desire to remain at Turf Moor after settling with his family since arriving on a free transfer from West Bromwich Albion in June 2003, so it is likely he will agree terms.
With Coyle keen to establish a youth policy within the senior squad, Rodriguez has been offered a new two-year contract following on from the initial one-year professional deal he signed last summer, and this follows Adam Kay and youth player of the year Alex MacDonald's promotion to professional status last week.
Meanwhile, former Everton stopper Unsworth has previously indicated his desire to carve out a coaching career in the future.
advertisement
He will spend this summer working towards his UEFA A licence, having been involved with youth team and reserve team coaching this season.
The role on offer to him at Burnley is geared to youth development, as well as remaining part of the first team squad.
However, the 34-year-old's decision could rest on whether his desire to play outweighs his future coaching prospects.
Coyle said: "I have spoken to all the players individually and having spoken to Brian (Jensen), James (O'Connor) and Jon (Harley), we have offered them deals.
"They have obviously got other interests though, so we await their replies.
"David (Unsworth) has been offered a one-year coaching deal as I feel he has a lot to offer this football club.
"His ability will be welcome on the coaching side of things, with regard to developing our young players, which is the way ahead.
"Within that, we would still retain his playing registration and again, we now await David's reply," added Coyle, who confirmed that loanees Mark Randall and Stanislav Varga have returned to their clubs, Arsenal and Sunderland respectively.
"We thank them for their services and wish them well," he said.
Posted by: Berkshire Claret, reading on 5:31pm Wed 7 May 08
I would give all players till Monday next wwek 12.00 to agree a deal or get released. We want players who want to play for Burnley not chancers who only stay because no one else wants them. I was surprise Jimmy O'C and Jon Harley were offered any deals as both have looked poor , at times this season. I am also suprised local boy Jay didnt sign straight away .Perhaps the lure of another wasted season in Scotland doesnt appeal to him
I would give all players till Monday next wwek 12.00 to agree a deal or get released. We want players who want to play for Burnley not chancers who only stay because no one else wants them. I was surprise Jimmy O'C and Jon Harley were offered any deals as both have looked poor , at times this season. I am also suprised local boy Jay didnt sign straight away .Perhaps the lure of another wasted season in Scotland doesnt appeal to him
[quote][bold]Berkshire Claret[/bold] wrote:
I would give all players till Monday next wwek 12.00 to agree a deal or get released. We want players who want to play for Burnley not chancers who only stay because no one else wants them. I was surprise Jimmy O'C and Jon Harley were offered any deals as both have looked poor , at times this season. I am also suprised local boy Jay didnt sign straight away .Perhaps the lure of another wasted season in Scotland doesnt appeal to him[/quote] Well, to be brutally honest that is part of the problem, not many players do want to come and play for Burnley. Hence, no widespread cull of players as some fans had predicted. Most of the players knew that they were safe no matter how poor the performances at the end of the season. Owen Coyle constantly blamed poor defending and soft goals conceded as a major part of Burnley's problem. But hey, just take a look and see how many defenders have been shown the door? Why not? Because the club has no money to replace them and attracting quality players to Turf Moor is nigh on impossible. The players you mentioned were poor for most of this season and will be just as bad, or worse, next campaign.
Berkshire Claret wrote:
I would give all players till Monday next wwek 12.00 to agree a deal or get released. We want players who want to play for Burnley not chancers who only stay because no one else wants them. I was surprise Jimmy O'C and Jon Harley were offered any deals as both have looked poor , at times this season. I am also suprised local boy Jay didnt sign straight away .Perhaps the lure of another wasted season in Scotland doesnt appeal to him
Well, to be brutally honest that is part of the problem, not many players do want to come and play for Burnley. Hence, no widespread cull of players as some fans had predicted. Most of the players knew that they were safe no matter how poor the performances at the end of the season. Owen Coyle constantly blamed poor defending and soft goals conceded as a major part of Burnley's problem. But hey, just take a look and see how many defenders have been shown the door? Why not? Because the club has no money to replace them and attracting quality players to Turf Moor is nigh on impossible. The players you mentioned were poor for most of this season and will be just as bad, or worse, next campaign.
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
Print
Email this
Comment
