Nicky Hayen reacts to anger from Burnley fans after Carabao Cup exit to Bradford

Nicky Hayen reacts to angry Burnley fans after a Carabao Cup exit to Bradford, losing on penalties following a 0-0 draw.

The Clarets ended up missing two penalties in shootout, many in the packed out away end leaving before their fourth spot kick, then some vented their frustration when their side’s players made their way towards them.

After three games, Hayen’s side are still winless, drawing 2-2 against West Ham, losing 3-1 to West Brom at the weekend, then this cup exit.

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Hard to tell from this side but sounded like loud boos from the away end, with it threatening to get nasty as the players went over to applaud the Burnley fans.#twitterclarets

— Matt Scrafton (@matt_scrafton) August 26, 2026

Burnley fans sneaking out before pennies are even over. Quiet fans for 5000 them #clarets #bcafc pic.twitter.com/4qJiD3v2gg

— SJT (@Samz_Adventures) August 26, 2026

Nicky Hayen told the club’s media: “I think we play a fair game. I think we had a real nice build-ups, found the spaces between the lines, create opportunities.

“But the only thing what we didn’t do was score goals and it’s not only this week, it was already the previous week that is really difficult to score the goals.

“And it’s not only about the quality, but it’s also the the making the right decision and sometimes not going don’t go for for like the complicated decision and just be clinical and it’s something that we’re working on really hard but unfortunately it didn’t happen tonight.”

Interviewer: “Yeah, you’ve mentioned it there because we did play some really nice stuff particularly it felt like in that first half because you will have wanted to see a reaction from West Brom, I’m assuming?”

Nicky: “Yeah, we saw a reaction and I think that everyone saw that there was a good drive, there was a good good energy in the in the team. So we were patient, we were looking for that solution and and it came and then of course you have to reward yourself and this is something that you didn’t do.

“And that’s the most important in football. And then after 60 minutes, you see that it becomes more an open game like a transition moment from side to side and then everything can happen.

“And okay, we were also more sloppy in the last 30 minutes. And then you see they get opportunities, we get opportunities, and at the end it’s like a penalty shootout that decides the game. And unfortunately we lose this because I will never ever blame a player who takes a responsibility and miss a shootout. It’s a lottery. But of course, you wanted to win this game and not with penalties, but then you have to be more clinical in the box.”

Interviewer: “Yeah. because it like you say particularly last 30 minutes it felt that they grew in confidence and then with penalties it’s always a tough way to go out but particularly in front of the home fans that we talk a lot about having to build confidence and that mentality and that really comes in into play in a moment like that.”

Nicky: “Yeah. Okay. But this is also part of the game and this is something where we have to be resilient and we will fight back. We will never give up and this also something that we didn’t do and I completely understand the fans that they’re disappointed and even angry and I can accept that but we know we can turn these things around and we have to stay connected and I again I accept the disappointment but you see that what we delivered on the pitch was actually quite okay was a quite fair game.

“But yeah we we are actually demanding more from also from the players and they understand and they want to push themselves. So, I know, from out of experience but also you know from experience like when you came or when you went or came back to the Championship even other managers struggled the first weeks and months and then when the team finally is made after the transfer window suddenly of the run and that’s what we’re actually also waiting for.

“You see a lot of good things but we need more goal threatening and that is for sure and we’re working with the management to find that solution.”

Interviewer: “Yeah, because we have a few days now to react and then we’ve got another tough test at the weekend against Norwich which will be a difficult game too.”

Nicky: “Yeah, but every game is a difficult game. But again we had some some moments and this is something you have to change it in your benefit and in your advantage and this is something that we didn’t do and also in the West Brom game you started actually quite well, you score, but we couldn’t couldn’t keep that that lead and yeah we have still a lot of details where we have to work on but you see that there’s a certain stability and this is something that we have to keep it improving at the other the other parts.”

Interviewer: “And we’ve mentioned the fans. It was an absolutely fantastic turnout from the Burnley supporters this evening is disappointed about the result. However, the support that they showed was was fantastic and traveling in those numbers.”

Nicky: “Yeah, exactly. And that’s why I’m also disappointed for them because the first thing that I want is winning for them because they show up with 5,000. They make they come over from there and this is what we want to deliver on the on the pitch for them.

“And then it’s unfortunate that you can’t give that win. But we will never give up. And this is something that’s not in my dictionary. We keep on working. Tomorrow there’s another day and we have to keep on working hard. Then this is what we’re going going going to do.”

 

Nicky Hayen said, as per Burnley Express: “Very disappointed with the result. All the credit is also for Bradford. I think they played on their qualities. A really good game, showed a lot of energy.

“But I think also our energy was much better than at West Brom. In the first half especially we found the right solutions. We were a lot in their box, we had like 70 per cent of the ball.

“But at the end, the most important is that you score goals. You can be in the box, but if you’re not clinical enough and our decision-making is not the best decision, then you struggle.

“Then you keep the opponent in the game, you give them oxygen as long as the game lasts. Even after 60 minutes, we started to be more sloppy. We didn’t find the right spaces anymore. Then it became more of an open game, like transition after transition.

“Then you get opportunities against, they can score, we can score. Then a penalty shoot-out decides the game and fortunately, they won.”

Regarding understanding the anger from fans, he replied: “100 per cent.

“With all due respect, you lose against a League One team, even if they’re top of the league at the moment – and all due respect, because they played with a big heart today, the way they played the last few weeks and months, all the credit is to them – but I totally understand the reaction of the fans.

“Am I happy with this? No, of course not, because we want to have that connection and we want to change things around. Then you need each other. I know how it works, so I know that they’re disappointed.”

Bradford’s Graham Alexander said to the club’s media: “Extremely tough game. Yeah, we had to work exceptionally hard out of possession to compete in at that level and, you know, they certainly showed their quality, but so did we, I think, in different ways.

“And we still had opportunities to score. I thought we built some some good pressure certainly in the second half as well, but the thing about my team is they never give up. They never they they never, you know, back down. That’s the biggest thing. Even though they’ve got good quality playing through our team, we still try to press the ball. We know the risk reward scenario, turn the ball over and being able to have opportunities.

“But with that sometimes we’re a little bit open. But I’d rather my team go out with the attitude that they showed and try and compete on an even keel rather than feel second best and give the advantage to the the opponents.

“So I said to the players, you know, the the biggest thing for me was the attitude they shown. And then when it come down to the quality and the penalties, our quality was absolutely magnificent. I thought the the pressure was great, but they handled it.”

Here’s what social media users had to say as Nicky Hayen reacts to anger from Burnley fans after a Carabao Cup exit to Bradford…

@lancs_ryan: The fact that some little pissed up come head has tried squaring up to Hannibal is bad enough, but fans are encouraging it, and called Walker THE CAPTAIN for stepping in. #TwitterClarets are some of the best people around but we don’t have some bell ends too!

@MilltownClarets: Reflection on last night being in the stands walking off the level of abuse thrown out was well over the top actually a little embarrassing, you want this team to succeed its not gunna happen if that carries on 4 games in. performance didn’t warrant it #twitterclarets

@adamski270591: We’re f**king sh*t. Rinse and repeat. Spineless, toothless, gutless overpaid bunch of wannabees. Something is rotting at this club. We will get absolutely pummeled at weekend. Its going to be a long long season #twitterclarets , unless something changes drastically soon. Worried.

@JackDingle26: No need for the overreaction at full time… they get clapped off if we win on penalties. Stop wetting the bed, give them time and get behind them. #twitterclarets

@JordanellisJ: Fuck me boys you have to turn up against Norwich! No moping about after 70 minutes, pulling out of challenges, giving up on second balls. I can’t be arsed getting wound up about tonight, you have a fan base that will back you just show up #twitterclarets

@kelvinjohn82: Reflections on last night. First half I thought we looked okay. Subs needed to be made on 60 mins not 80. Bradford came out far better and we didn’t react. Fans fighting amongst themselves at the end just embarrassing! #twitterclarets

@bethanygreenhow: Some Burnley fans do my head in.. ‘they lack confidence, they are weak, always off with mental health’ ok and I suppose you think booing them every time they touch the ball is going to really help with that confidence you require. Absolute doughnuts 🙄

@claretmatt87: There’s going to be another meltdown, but for me, it’s just been such a long time without a win there’s no confidence or luck. Any other night we score at least a couple from the chances we created. We just need to break the back of this run + wins will flow IMO #twitterclarets

@HarrySmith_99: @AlanPaceBFC I think your luck is out this year pal #twitterclarets

@LiamRyan06: Well that was fucking pathetic. Don’t know whether to point the finger at the Players, Management or Board but something has to change if we want to challenge this season and it’s got to change quick. Need a big result Saturday. #twitterclarets