Nicky Hayen reacts when asked if he's set to make big Burnley change | OneFootball

Nicky Hayen reacts when asked if he's set to make big Burnley change | OneFootball

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·14 September 2026

Nicky Hayen reacts when asked if he's set to make big Burnley change

Article image:Nicky Hayen reacts when asked if he's set to make big Burnley change

The Burnley boss admits a decision will need to be made surrounding the immediate future of the number one position as pressure grows on Max Weiss

Burnley boss Nicky Hayen has admitted that an "analysis" will be made surrounding their goalkeeper position, after a Max Weiss error led to Swansea City's opening goal on Saturday.


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The Clarets were unable to get one in the win column in South Wales, losing 3-1 to a Swansea side who have started the season incredibly. Although the Swans didn't need to show their superiority in parts to put themselves ahead.

Indeed, Weiss provided the assist for Adam Idah's opening goal, with the Irishman charging down his weak clearance before walking the ball into the empty net. Midfielder Ugo Raghouber then played an errant pass in midfield which led to Swansea's second.

Burnley have now conceded as many goals as they did in the entire 2024/25 Championship campaign in 39 fewer outings, leaving them at the foot of the table after seven games.

Nicky Hayen delivers goalkeeper verdict after Swansea City defeat

Article image:Nicky Hayen reacts when asked if he's set to make big Burnley change

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Nicky Hayen has stuck with Weiss as his goalkeeper throughout the infancy of the campaign. The 22-year-old emerged as the new Burnley number one in the final few games of last season, after relegation back to the Championship was confirmed.

However, after no clean sheets and 16 goals conceded through seven games, questions are starting to be asked about his position. In reserve is Gregoire Coudert, who arrived at Turf Moor after keeping six clean sheets in 25 Ligue 1 games for Brest last season.

Speaking after the defeat against Swansea, the Burnley boss admitted that he and his coaching staff would analyse the goalkeeper situation, but quickly put the focus on his side's intent after the break, when they were a couple of goals down.

"This is an analysis that we will make this week. We always make an analysis," Hayen said, per the Burnley Express, regarding Weiss' position.

"I think you didn't see a team that was down today on the pitch, especially in the first half, but also in the second half when we came out. We came out with a good energy, and I think, except for the Norwich game, we came out quite well [after half time].

"We also had momentum in the game when we came back with a 2-1. You felt we could have momentum, but you always give it away. That's also something that we have to change."

When further addressing the error from the German shot-stopper which led to Idah's opener, the Burnley boss said: "I think Max could just clear the ball; [he] wanted to wait too long, get blocked, and then he gives a lateral ball without looking if there is someone in his back.

"It is with decision-making; that's for sure. It's not on purpose, but unfortunately it happens to us in a really bad or difficult situation."

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As a fanbase who have been used to seeing their side dominate in the Championship in their last three seasons at the level, those in the stands at Turf Moor haven't been happy with the start to the current term at all.

Failing to win any of their seven games so far this year has been alarming, but the performance level from some of their players thus far is night and day compared to the quality the club has seen in previous years in the second tier.

Weiss became the latest to receive some stick online following his error leading to Swansea's opener, and it's safe to say Burnley fans want to see him taken out of the starting eleven immediately.

"Shout-out to Max Weiss btw. Believable keeper, strikes confidence into attackers 👏," one Burnley fan page wrote on X following Saturday's defeat.

"Worst starting keeper I have ever seen in a Burnley shirt," someone commented in reply to the above. "Genuinely don't know how he made it pro," another added.

"Max Weiss is the worst goalkeeper I’ve ever seen. #twitterclarets," was also among the X conversation after the game, and in response to the Burnley Express article online, a Clarets supporter said, "It’s not just one howler though, is it? It’s his inability to make what should be a basic save. His save-to-shot ratio is in the bin."

Nicky Hayen needs to take Max Weiss out of the Burnley firing line after poor Swansea City performance

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Weiss hasn't enjoyed a good start to the campaign at all. As the final Burnley fan stated, his save percentage is among the worst in the division, at under 50%, and he's let in just under 3.5 more goals than his expected goals against suggested he should have, per Fotmob.

Weiss is only 22, which is incredibly young for a goalkeeper, and this Burnley fanbase in the Championship will arguably be the most demanding club he's played for thus far in his young career.

It's evident that he's not coping with that pressure so far this season, and even if Nicky Hayen sees him as the number one, taking him out of the firing line for a few games could be beneficial to the German in the long run.

Burnley have a massive game against fellow slow-starters Derby County on Saturday before the three-week international break. They need to pick up that first win, and bringing in Coudert for his league debut could help them achieve that.

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