The news that James Tarkowski had ‘gone on strike’ ahead of Friday night’s televised match with Burnley overshadowed all other conversation before kick-off – the Bees’ centre-back’s refusal to play was unanimously slated and anger rather than excitement swept through the pub.
In all the years I have supported Brentford, I have never seen our club brought into disrepute in such a selfish and disrespectful way – having the team’s manager explaining the situation live on television just 45 before kick off was deeply embarrassing – and whether or not Tarki will be seen in the red and white stripes of Brentford again is debatable.
Alan Judge, Toums and Jota have all handled transfer widow speculation in markedly different ways, and although fans are not universally content with developments, refusing to play would appear not to have been a consideration for that trio.
As you will hear in the Beesotted Pride of West London post match podcast, and in the Beesotted terrace video, there are some very forthright opinions shared… Click the links above to listen.
Beesotted also ran a poll on our Twitter feed (@beesotted) which gave fans the opportunity to vote as to whether they thought the player should play for us again, it also raised the issue that by not selecting Tarki, it could reduce his eventual transfer fee… Over 650 fans took part in a shorter than normal poll (we only kept it open for 8 hours) with the vast majority (81%) feeling this is the end of the line for Tarki, while 19% agreed that he should be reinstated until a new club can be found.
However, I’d imagine Tarkowski’s refusal to play could also affect how potential buyers view his petulant behaviour – rival managers will surely be asking themselves whether they really want a player capable of such actions in their squad. Several Burnley fans we spoke to in the podcast thought the same way.
As for the game itself, well, any thoughts of a bounce back from the Boro defeat were blown away by a clinical first half battering by Burnley – three goals out of the top draw gave the Bees little realistic hope of recovery… And although an Alan Judge goal and a vastly improved second half performance lifted the atmosphere and mood of the home fans, the defeat means Dean Smith’s side had lost three home games in six days, which must be a club record, and a fourth in succession.
A roller coaster season continues with a trip to Preston North End next weekend, but there will be an eventful few days of off-the-pitch murmurings around Griffin Park, in which time #HuskyGate will continue to take centre stage.
Dave Lane
@beesotted100
My initial thoughts on Tarkowski concurred with the 80 % with perhaps a loan spell at Wycombe to keep him in the shop window & fitness up. However perhaps a spell warming the bench & the silent treatment when he does get on giving him a chance to redeem himself might just be in Brentfords best interests & will give us a better chance of a fair sale price (not withstanding his own effort to devalue himself)
Best Tarkowski be loaned to a League 1 club chasing for promotion to the Championship. If a manager is brave enough to take him Tarks will need to perform week in, week out and hopefully show his ability so that Brentford can get full value in a sale.
Unfortunately he would be disruptive to the Brentford playing group if he stayed around Griffin Park so he needs to redeem himself to justify another club bidding to Brentford’s valuation – and this seems to be the best option for Brentford to receive a fair price for an item that is currently a ‘shop soiled’ sale item.
Can’t argue with that unless of course the players support his retention. You are up late David unless you are Michelle’s brother
Mid-day for me – I live in Australia, so I do not see many games live these days!!
Me to ( Sydney ) Bees-World & Bein-Sport absolute necessities
I’m Melbourne. We should encourage Brentford to do a pre season in Australia and play a couple games to pay for the cost of the trip.
To me Tarkowski’s actions let down those who have brought him om from an average League One player to one who id attracting the attention of the top clubs in the Championship is that the way they deserve to be treat ? I am therefore suggesting the club treat him likewise from here on if a club does meet the £5 million asking price and not a penny less then let him go if not let him do some bench warming or play in the development squad I for one would not take too kindly to him merely being fined and all forgiven what he did was a disgrace
If you get a chance to go and support Andy Lapthorne in the wheelchair tennis at the Australian Open in Melbourne don.t forget to take your Brentford flag.
Firstly lets kick into touch this ridiculous issue of who leaked it to the press just before the game, as Sean Dyche kept denying it was Burnley. The fact Burnley were interested in Tarks was in the Lancashire Telegraph on 4th January and was all over the sporting press for the next 11 days. Everyone in football knew several bids had been rejected and who made them. So lets put that aside as a non issue.
There is only one defence I can see for Tarks. If he believed that he was likely to be a Burnley player before the end of January, he will have wanted Burnley to win. After all he would be moving with the chance, and looking a good one, of Burnley going up. That chance would be influenced by Fridays result. Could he have put in a reasonable performance with that in the back (probably front of his mind)? There is also a chance that he may have been forced to put in a “heavy” tackle and possibly injure one of his future colleagues. Or worse for him still, he scores a goal that defeats Burnley. That would not have been taken kindly in the event he ended up at Turf Moor the following week. So maybe his focus would have been affected and giving 100% may have been difficult. If he had played and been ultra cautious would the events of the first half have happened anyway? It was notable where every Burnley goal, good as they were, were scored from.
Just playing devil’s advocate here.
Do I think he should therefore withdraw his labour? NO! He should air those concerns with Dean Smith and let DS decide the risks. Personally I think he should have gone out and put in an amazing display and shown Burnley just how valuable he is.
I think he and Burnley are attempting to force a move and bring the price down. I think the timing was deliberate and I certainly think, following the Boro performance, it affected the team and that he needs to take responsibility for.
Lets see if he goes for a “reduced” price and the scheme worked. Unfortunately we need the cash and aren’t a club that can afford too many principles, as were need to replace these departures. Burnley know that.
Only time will tell. But I think we need to just make a decision. We’re not going down or up, so lets clear out what we can’t avoid and build now, instead of in the summer break.
Don’t forget Andre Grey played against, and scored against, Bristol City whilst there was transfer talk between the two club back in August
Although I take that point. Andre turned Bristol City down as he didn’t want to go there, so no real conflict
I would sell him to Bolton. Bolton’s players play for free. I like Bolton.