Burnley co-owner JJ Watt says Clarets 'need to play better' and are a 'small club'

By premiernews On Apr 10, 2024

Burnley co-owner JJ Watt could have indirectly insulted his club and its fans while also insisting that they must play better.

While speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, where sports stars are interviewed on ESPN and YouTube, the former NFL player and Burnley Co-owner Watt spoke to Pat McAfee about his club's efforts this season.

Watt admitted that Burnley are a “small club” and that they had to play betterCredit: Pat McAfee Show

The Clarets have had a difficult campaign after winning promotion from the Championship last season and could be on course for a return to the second division.

Burnley have had some tough decisions against them with seven red cards this season, more than any other Premier League team, and Watt was asked about what were perceived as refereeing injustices.

He responded: “As a small club, some of those things you don't necessarily have a voice, you don't have the ability to speak and obviously people are careful what they say.

“I'm happy to be that voice because I know what it feels like to be, as a fan and an owner now, in those situations where you see a lot of those calls stack up a certain way.

“You wonder: is it because no one has ever talked about it or because we are a small club, whatever it is?

“I'm happy to talk about this, and yes, there are definitely calls going back and forth here and there.

“This season seems strangely stacked up a certain way multiple times and you start getting those official apology letters multiple times.

“You say, 'Okay, how many times are we going to get these official apologies before we start going through all of this here?'

Watt criticized the refereeing decisions against his clubCredit: Getty

Vincent Kompany has only managed four league victories all seasonCredit: Getty

“But at the end of the day, honestly, we just need to play better.”

Burnley have had a disappointing season and sit 19th in the Premier League standings with just 19 points from 32 outings.

Spurs forward Harry Kane talks to JJ Watt about a possible career in the NFL once his football career in England ends.

Relegation looks almost certain but they are still just six points from safety with six games remaining but will need a marked improvement in form.

The Clarets have won just four games all season in the Premier League and lost 21.

But co-owner Watt, who bought a minority stake in the club in 2023 Along with his wife, he has remained loyal to Kompany as they bought young and unproven talent from Belgium and France, largely.

While they could return to the Championship, Burnley could be well positioned to return to the Premier League again and allow their youngsters to develop before giving it another go at the top level in a few years.

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