What can you say? James Tarkowski has today (Monday) opened up about his absence from the team against Burnley by issuing a deeply personal statement regarding what is one of the most harrowing of family situations to find one’s self in.
Like many Brentford supporters, when I heard the news this afternoon my immediate reaction was one of both shock and sympathy. Indeed, having been through a similar experience myself in recent weeks my thoughts are only with him at this toughest of times.
Moreso, given the choice of language and words in regards to the news announced just prior to the Burnley game. For that I can only apologise. The subsequent context of today’s statement paints a somewhat different picture of events.
Given the announcements made both before and after that game, followed by a period of radio silence, many fans were upset and angry. Certainly I was and, like other supporters, vented frustration following what we’d been told in both the original club statement and Dean Smith’s post match comments. Equally, like other supporters I know that I’m not alone in now wishing we’d all done things differently.
James’s full statement is on the clubsite. He tells us how in the build up to those events, “I was open and up front about this with the Club, who were sympathetic and said they’d work with me and my agent to try to reach a solution which worked well for the Club whilst giving me the possibility to move to closer to my mum”
Football is an emotive subject. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Given the public support of Jota, I wish the club has just mentioned an ‘injury’ or ‘bug’ rather than the somewhat contradictory sounding talk of disciplinary action, transfer bids, refusal to play and trying to broker a move.
Frankly, it doesn’t really seem to matter anymore.
Nick Bruzon
BrentfordFC 
I said in my comment on your article following the game that the Brentford fans were rushing to crucify the lad befor the full truth was known.
Will Beesotted be so humble with their apology given how quick they have been to be judge and jury on this matter?
Thanks for your comment. Everybody has to deal with any reaction and follow up their own way. This was mine. Although I’d agree with you that I’m sure we are all keen to see what other sources – Beesotted, TalkSport and the club included – say next.
I won’t lie. I’m sure my reaction would be exactly the same should something similar happen in future. Certainly the way that the original pre-game statement on the website from Mark Chapman and the follow up comments made to the press by Dean Smith were phrased. They were the first ones hanging him out to dry – we followed suit.
That doesn’t excuse any choice of language -we’re all individuals with our own opinions.
Right now I just feel desperately sad for the player on a personal level – moreso if he has been as upfront and open with the club as that statement says.
Again a bit of a PR shambles by the club. Either it’s true, in which case why not turn around and say he pulled up in training, something they’ve done in the past (think Forshaw having an “injury” and unable to play just before Wigan bought him, Jota being let off because of emotional issues, and Gray sitting on the bench when news about Bristol City, Hull and Burnley had shown interest in him). Or it’s an attempt at diffusing the situation and opening the door to let Tarks come back into the squad as it doesn’t look likely anyone will come in for the money we’re wanting. Why I believe it’s the latter is because of the reaction of both the club and manager at the time of the incident. “He’s making a mistake” and the club will discipline him. This goes against what has gone before it.
He was fine to line up against Middlesborough 3 days prior, yet couldn’t play against a side who’d recently tried to sign him?
Forgive my cynicism, happy to be wrong, but you can’t blame the reaction when appraising the situation at the time
One Response to “’26’ , Jota, Beesotted and B.U. provide contrasting emotions”
Roderic
January 21, 2016 at 10:00 am #
Jota is a great loss to BFC; along with Gray and Dallas. I liked Jota and Dallas as vivid personalities and examples of pure energy and sporting enthusiasm. Tarts, is a far less charismatic, but, barring the own goals and other errors, has been a pretty good player; as with all behind the scenes, confidential scenarios, the fans still only have a vague “family issues” understanding of the Spaniard’s wish to leave; with Tarts,we have been told , only after the “incident”, that his mother is in poor health, this situation must be serious, to make a pretty reliable footballer want to have the disruption re-up sticks, after making the big move down south not so long ago; the situation is certainly not “cold blooded”.If his decision not to play, was based on some harsh treatment and intransigence on the part of the club hierarchy, in not taking into account his dilemma, this could explain his dramatic gesture; I am speculating, no information is available- was he offered a period of compassionate leave, so he could help his mother?.
MY CONTEMPORANEOUS RESPONSE TO THE BESOTTED ATTACK ON TARKOWSKI [the only comment left, actually], quote;
“The only thing he’ll do is rebrand himself as the new Martin Rowlands. Too much damage has been done. At least with Trotta it was ‘heat of the moment’ and the chance of glory being seized by a young striker. This was cold, calculated and deliberate.”
REPLY
“The only thing he’ll do is rebrand himself as the new Martin Rowlands. Too much damage has been done. At least with Trotta it was ‘heat of the moment’ and the chance of glory being seized by a young striker. This was cold, calculated and deliberate.”
The only reply:
One Response to “’26’ , Jota, Beesotted and B.U. provide contrasting emotions”
Roderic
January 21, 2016 at 10:00 am #
Jota is a great loss to BFC; along with Gray and Dallas. I liked Jota and Dallas as vivid personalities and examples of pure energy and sporting enthusiasm. Tarts, is a far less charismatic, but, barring the own goals and other errors, has been a pretty good player; as with all behind the scenes, confidential scenarios, the fans still only have a vague “family issues” understanding of the Spaniard’s wish to leave; with Tarts,we have been told , only after the “incident”, that his mother is in poor health, this situation must be serious, to make a pretty reliable footballer want to have the disruption re-up sticks, after making the big move down south not so long ago; the situation is certainly not “cold blooded”.If his decision not to play, was based on some harsh treatment and intransigence on the part of the club hierarchy, in not taking into account his dilemma, this could explain his dramatic gesture; I am speculating, no information is available- was he offered a period of compassionate leave, so he could help his mother?. Trotta was an exciting player, I liked him, but he made a massive spur of the moment ego error, by grabbing the ball from O’Connor and potentially cost BFC promotion; if the club had gone up that season, maybe BFC would have powered on to the top and we could have kept our best manager, ever and none of the debacles of this season, would ever have been manifested.
If the club can retrieve the situation, by offering Tarts compassionate leave, maybe he can be forgiven; seeing that Button has gone on record as saying that the players have no problem with accepting Tarts back into the team; that is very significant, as they must know the real truth behind all this out of character behaviour. The worst thing, would be to act in a spiteful and vindictive way and torture a player by freezing him out; he performed good service , bar the latest, it would be best to let him go and move on.
Totally agree with Rob this late late excuse is like a tale from Jacanory
I’m sorry if it upsets anyone, but I just dont buy into this.
I do not question no 26’s family situation, but the timeline of events just does not ring true to me. OK, the club were aware of the family situation and were handling things correctly, but then the whole Burnley situation happened and everyone was left in no doubt after the club used multiple means of communication that the player simply refused to play against a club who have placed a derisory bid for him. They made a statement on the website, Dean Smith made it clear on live TV that he refused to play, even BeesPlayer were reporting it. Yet 10 days later we are expected to believe this new version of events after the player has been disciplined? Sorry, but I just dont believe this, particularly after the club handled Jota’s situation so differently & compassionately.
For me this whole situation right now has been mainpulated by PR. Brand Tarkowski has clearly been severely damaged due to negative press. For Brand Tarkowski to succeed it needs a new look. The club (business) who holds this financial asset have suddenly found that they cannot cash that asset in because of the failed brand, so they need to do a rebranding exercise. Using elements of truth, the business have rebranded Tarkowski & given it a completely new softer image in order to benefit from the asset and cash in. Its a regular practice in marketing.
Yet again our wonderful club is attracting yet more negative PR, but I believe this has been orchestrated in order for us to have a big pay day. Dependent how you look it, this is either a new chapter in the ongoing utter pigs ear of a mess which is our Comms dept, or an utter stroke of business genius. What is clear to me is that this is no longer about the number 26. Its unlikely we will ever see him in a red & white shirt again. Its about BrentfordFC as a business.
But then again I maybe completely wrong, and far too ‘clever’, and its just yet another pigs ear mess by the PR dept!
Thanks BQ – brutally honest. All opinions welcome here
In the run up to the match against Burnley, I felt completely frazzled and unable to concentrate properly. I felt that to play in the match in this frame of mind may actually do more harm than good. I thought that my distraction may result in an error that would let my team mates and the fans down. After much thought and consultation with the gaffer, my family and my team mates, I felt unable to guarantee my usual standard of performance and said as much to the gaffer.’
Head coach Dean Smith as we know is on record saying he felt Tarks had been badly advised, but with the specifics being aired here, you can also see why Smith was largely understanding and sympathetic in the way he chose his words when discussing the problem following the game, although obviously what should have been read into that wasn’t.
An unfortunate situation all round and probably should’ve been dealt with better by all involved and more sensible words that would’ve stemmed the obvious thoughts that came to fans’ minds when only getting part of the story.
‘I would like to apologise to my team mates, the gaffer and the fans. I hope that you can understand the pressure I was under and that no offence or insult was intended to anyone associated with the Club. I have taken the sanction given to me by the Club with good grace. I would also like to thank everyone who has offered me support over the last ten days, and thank the Club for continuing to understand my situation at home.’
He ended his statement by saying.
‘I am still under contract at Brentford and am committed to giving my best for the Club, the team and the fans, as I always do when wearing the shirt.’
Best wishes to Tarks and his family – sometimes football should take a backseat.
Read more: http://www.brentford.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=432318#ixzz3yS9WUFB1
Tarkowski did not “refuse to play”; he was too distracted by his family issues to give his all and told Smith as much; Smith now expresses regret about the club hammering the player, by placing him on the pillory by accusing him of transfer manipulation tactics; it WAS another nasty balls up by the shitheads that run the PR and others at the club; compassion, what a laugh; where was the offer of compassionate leave for TARKOWSKI; you would all demand it at work, yes!
“SOMETIMES FOOTBALL SHOULD TAKE A BACKSEAT”, so get off the guys back and show some humanity!