Is a BIG miss for us this season. For the last 3-4 seasons, many fans were calling for him to leave. He was described as below our level, or past it. The only time where his performances dropped imo is the second half of the championship season. Apart from that, he's been the most consistent performer for SAFC in the last 10 years. Last season he was our stand out midfielder and leader, yet countless people wanted him gone for the following season. It's now clear imo, that we miss him massively this season. His leadership, his ground covered, and his quality. To those who were desperate for him out, can I ask why?
Depends if we're talking League One Cattermole or 10 years at Sunderland Cattermole. League one Cattermole was excellent, a leader on the pitch and had a good goals to games ratio. 10 year Cattermole missed half the games he was here for, had an atrocious goals to game ratio and a questionable disciplinary record. If he was "the most consistent performer for 10 years" (I reckon Laarson and O'Shea would have reason to be aggrieved with that shout) that is to the detriment of the others not due to his own performances.
Disagree. At his peak he was an Enforcer, unfortunately he could still be reckless and he was in his earlier career despite being a very good tackler and ball winner earning him the name Clatteremall. He was also unfairly singled out, booked and sent off by referees putting their mark on the game. He was also top class in his day and opposition attackers knew where he was on the pitch. A former England U21, he deserved a place in the senior team IMHO and possibly wasn't picked because of his reputation despite cleaning up his act as a key premiership player with Martin O'Neil. He's still only 31 and could have quite a few decent years in him. He has also been solid red n white for me.
No way is he even getting SAFC League One wages in Venlo, it’s a head scratcher why we didn’t attempt to keep him given his performance last year. He be on around 5k a week max over there, we will be paying that to McGeough.
Yeah it's just crazy. Why bring in leadbitter, who is miles past it, when we can keep cattermole, probably on similar wages.
He was decent in the last season in league one and got more than his fair share of goals but he wasn't that good. I was fairly indifferent about him leaving. No English clubs picking him up for free is telling. We do need a leader out there and him leaving has highlighted that problem, hopefully someone with a lot more pace, strength and athleticism than Catts had.
Agree, a great leader which we are lacking. Have you heard Leadbitter whisper? We should have done a deal to keep him not bank on someone cheaper and slower who cannot lead
Caught the end of a piece on MOTD2 last night when they were using Catts as a measure of the ultimate in Red Card collectors. Did anyone get the full story
Not denying he was very decent at times but averaging around 23 games per season isn't great. Taking out his last hurrah in league one which skewed his goal scoring stats he also averaged something like a goal every 100+ games which is awful for a midfielder. In the Championship his legs looked like Leadbitters do now. He got tortured. I think League One is his current level and he's very decent at that level but not for the wages he was on.
Because Bruce bought him He collected too many cards He was regarded as a key member of the rotten core ..and various other baseless crapola that the blame seeking crew delight in. I likes LC. Good honest pro with his heart on his sleeve. I would have had him and JoS as assistant and manager respectively. Been around the game, know the club, worked with the good and bad. Got to be better than the last 2 w9nksplats we have hired.
Yes, they would have been great wouldn't they? Far better than Ross or Parkinson, with their years of coaching and managerial experience.
