Lancashire

Burnley interim boss Mike Jackson has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Wolves at Turf Moor (kick-off 16:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On team selection for the final day of the season: "Obviously, you're looking at how we can give people some minutes, manipulate the squad a little bit, but it is tricky. It is something I have to sit down and look at in the next couple of days. That is definitely in my thought process. It is the worst part of the job, having to pick a team and leaving somebody out – you don't want to do that."

• On people in the club wanting to draw a line under this season: "There will be, let's be honest. There are probably bits of it where people are saying 'it is nearly done, I can't wait for it to get finished', but that is them. I can't influence that. You still have to be professional no matter what your role is."

• Clarets forward Ashley Barnes' contract expires at the end of the campaign, but Jackson did not confirm whether the 36-year-old would feature against Wolves: "Barnesy is away on his coaching course at this moment in time, so we just have to have look at the whole squad and what we need for the game."

• Jackson admitted he has "mixed emotions" towards the final day of the season, as they "have not achieved" their aim of staying in the top-flight.

• The interim head coach said Burnley have to "learn" from their past two experiences of failing to stay in the league, adding: "We must sit down as a club and really look at if we get back up again, how do we then stay in this division. That is something that is ongoing."

• On facing Wolves: "The boys know what we need to do and what the game is. Nobody wants to finish bottom of the league, our full focus will be on that now. We have to maintain what we have been doing the past couple of games – we go for it again, and we try and win the game. You shouldn't be walking away from the ground knowing you have not played your part."

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Natalie Bromley
Fan writer

Image source, PA Media

Have you seen that advert from before the most recent Women's World Cup, fronted by male stars such as Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann which showcases the French footballing skill on the international stage? Except there is a twist - it is, in fact, coverage of the women's team with the male players super-imposed over the top.

Well, imagine it is Monday 18 May, 2026 and you are watching Arsenal take on Burnley in a crucial Premier League game which may well dictate the destination of the title. Hannibal Mejbri lunges in on Declan Rice in a reckless and high challenge, plunging his studs into Rice's calf muscles. The referee makes no hesitation in showing Hannibal a straight red and Burnley are left with 10 men as he makes his way down the tunnel.

"But that's not them you've just seen" is the headline in the French advert. And oh, don't we know it. Because this is the Premier League and VAR in 2026.

There is not a scenario in the world where Kai Havertz should have stayed on the pitch following his awful challenge on Lesley Ugochukwu.

A statement from the Premier League Match Centre said: "The referee's call of yellow card to Havertz was checked and confirmed by VAR - with the challenge deemed not to be serious foul play."

VAR is done. What is the point of it? Every single week we are reviewing mistakes and controversy and trying to understand baffling decisions. I will not miss it one bit next season.

In the meantime, there was a lot to be said about Burnley's own performance.

Mike Jackson has them playing with a little more freedom and we are a little more attacking. It is unclear as to the value of this improved confidence, given we do not yet know how many of this side will be sold in the summer, but beating Wolves on Sunday to avoid finishing bottom would be a morale boost for the fans.

Find more from Natalie Bromley at No Nay Never podcast, external

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley were beaten 1-0 by title-chasers Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Monday and we asked for your views on the Clarets' performance against the Gunners.

Here are some of your replies:

Neil: A battling performance overall, however the different class told in the end. The result in games often hinge on one decision and, as usual, VAR chose to ignore an obvious red card decision in favour of Burnley. Who knows what could have happened against a 10-man Arsenal? Good riddance to VAR next season, it has ruined the fans' enjoyment of the game.

Steve: Another satisfying performance from Burnley, albeit too little too late. We are playing more freely and we are attacking teams, yet we are now more solid in defence.

Simon: Considering the way this season has gone, Burnley's display at Arsenal deserved huge credit. Mike Jackson has immediately done what supporters had been pleading for all year - take the handbrake off. Burnley still had to defend heroically for long periods against the league's best side, but there was finally an attacking threat too. Loum Tchaouna's pace and Jaidon Anthony's creativity are no longer being restricted by an overly cautious setup. The biggest frustration is this shift in approach has arrived far too late, leaving many wondering what might have happened if the change come before our fate was effectively sealed.