Why should that matter in any way at all? The outcome is still the same, and if we are trying to stop them leaving then they have little choice but to act like a dick to get their move, it is the way of transfers. I don't recall many people getting annoyed when Mane went on strike at Salzburg to move here.
Many things that I disagree with, I at least understand the other view point. But yeah, this, I just do not get. As you say, the outcome is the same. Just chill, relax, and continue to support the team.
I think some of us just expect a slightly more respectful approach to how they leave. It's not the leaving, it's the way they go about it. VVD does actually owe us something. Respect. Respect of his contract. I have no problem with him choosing to leave, but show some dignity and have some respect. I agree he can be playing at a level which higher than us. Brendy is looking for a new job, but I doubt he's putting messages on his company's notice board having little digs about his current job.
Comparing football as a job to any "normal" job is ridiculous. It is nothing like any other industry that I can think of. In terms of respect, do you not think we should respect VVD if he wants to leave and sell him? He has only, maybe, another 10 years as a player, surely we should respect the fact that he wants to play at the top level now the opportunity is there for him and not stand in the way of that?
Thanks for putting my comment as ridiculous. I'll park that and continue a discussion though. Where did you get "normal" from my post. You are correct we should respect his wishes. Equally, we could ask him to respect his contract. However, that doesn't mean we should bend over for him. Do you know if he went to the board and said he wanted a move, or did he just start having discussions with Liverpool. Not sure how you can question the clubs respect when there hasn't been anything said to suggest that. He got caught breaking the rules, so he needs to show some respect and hope he club can still take it upon themselves to sell him. He's made it their position of strength. He made the bed, so he's got to lie in it.
Yep, hand in a transfer request, tell us you need to leave to further your development/career. Don't sneak round then sulk. How anyone can stick up for that is just bewildering.
I have no idea what Brendy does for a living but I am presuming he is not a footballer. Therefore I feel it is completely irrelevant how he goes about getting a job with a different company when comparing to a footballers situation. If you don't like the term ridiculous I apologise but I really can't think of another word for the comparison. I understand the contract point, and I suppose in an ideal world he should honour it, but unfortunately football is not an ideal world, contracts are only really there to give the club some security over getting a fee for a player.
I'm not sticking up for him, I am just saying that this is the way of the transfers and I find it bewildering that people still get annoyed by the actions players take to get a move.
Just because "this is the way" it doesn't make it right or acceptable. I'm happy to still not like it. I live in false hope that one day the PL or FA will do something about it, rather than me just give up and accept it.
My point isn't about the job, it's about the human aspect. Brendy is a human. VVD is a human. I know which one of them I think seems a decent bloke and which one I don't, based on knowing neither of them but reading some of their comments. There's my comparison. I was taught two things when I was young that stand out for me: 1. Treat others as you'd hope to be treated yourself. 2. If something is wrong, it's wrong. No matter how normal it is.
To me, this is a misunderstanding of the very essence of football. We aren't watching men at work. If we were, I'd pop out and spend an hour with the dustman. We are watching heroes and idols. We don't just observe, but venerate and idolise these people. To expect them to behave respectfully is the bare minimum standard - and I think we can actually ask even more. They are on young people's walls, for God's sake.
I think we could argue till the cows come home about players signing long term contracts to get extra money, then trying to renege on that contract. What would be the point of offering the longer term contract if a few months later the player is likely to say ......Actually I think I would now like to play for another team. If I was in charge I'm afraid I would say stuff you, either honour your contract or rot. If you choose rot then so be it Saints are bigger than any player. Do you know I am convinced this would end people using us as a stepping stone.
Just out of interest which of our players who have left for "bigger" things do you think has acted like a decent bloke? Maybe I am naive but I don't think that all of them who haven't can be no moral twats and their hand is forced by the way things are, and they have to act a certain way for the bigger picture for themselves.
You are right, players with any sort of potential wouldn't want to come here if we started doing that as the norm
Just off the top of my head: Morgan accepted our position, knuckled down got his move. Mane asked for a move, was told he had to wait until the following year. He did and went without any fuss. Can't recall Shaw behaving badly - but I may be wrong. Ps: couldn't really make out what you meant with the second sentence. Seemed not to make sense. Sorry.
