Yeah, it certainly is a strange one, isn't it?..... What I can't understand though is the timing. Let's all be honest, we knew his age would be a barrier to his fitnness, but even by his own admission, he said he was fit and ready to go. He said his legs were still strong and looked forward to his last dance at SAFC. I had had my fantasy hat on loads of times, wanting him to be selected and scoring at will, however, deep down I felt that he'd be deployed as a Super Sub Impact Hero...so to speak. And to be fair, when he did play, he did okay in my eyes...I think we all accept that. He now leaves us short up front...and that's what confusses me. Hyperthetical - If Geeds had been fit and played in the same line-up....being the best at picking out a quality pass, I beleive they would have made a clever partnershilp......I also think that our style of play in the final third maybe wasn't suiting Defoe. He always come alive with a good ball to his feet, right?...but we played the high ball to the head of Stewart etc....which worked. What I do disagree with though, is those who say his fitness was lacking - People sometimes confuse Defoe's age with his fitness/abilities - What I'm trying to say is, Defoe is now saying himself, that he feels that he's lost a yard of pace because of his age, not because of his fitness levels, and I respect his own honesty there, however, that does not mean that he's not 'Match-Fit'....it simply means he is fit, but not as sharp or as quick as he was (because of his age) - Example = Every Club employs players who are quicker on their feet futher up the feild in the attacking role, right?....those who still have the same ability, but who are not so quick, are normally deployed further back etc, as an average rule of thumb.. For me Defoe, still had enough of everything to come on before the end of a match, IF he had the ball to his feet. I wish him well.....and hope he stays with coaching role though.
This doesn't make sense to me, there has to be something that has made him decide to do this now and I suspect there has been some kind of bust up behind the scenes that has resulted in Defoe walking with "immediate effect".
He looked isolated at times mate because of our tactics, yet he looked for the ball constantly. I disagree that he looked absolutely ancient...harsh that mate. Ball to feet is his stong hand....but we crossed the 'high ball' to the likes of Stewart etc....which worked for the taller lads.
Why a bust up? Why not a simple injury which he may not recover from? Makes no sense that the first thought is “bust up” instead of something less inflammatory. It could be that he’s got himself match fit but realised he’s just not “there” any more. Could be loads of reasons which, after watching him, would make a “bust up” be way down my assumed list
I agree with him though sadly. I watched a ball headed back to the keeper in an away game. Defoe would’ve caught it a couple of years ago. He looked like he was towing a caravan while running through treacle with a 30lb backpack on. His brain is there but his body, up to now any how, has looked way short. Just an opinion mind
If it was an injury they would have said so that's why. The lack of information is just so Sunderland. Neil gave an update 5 minutes after getting here that suggested he wasnt going to be making a space for Defoe based upon his past history with the club or any reputational reasons, suggesting he would struggle to get game time due to his lack of match fitness having not played for a long while. I think it is more due to those reasons than any injury that he may have suffered. This is just another example of us being treated like mushrooms as far as I am concerned and the lack of any real info as to the reasons for this unexpected announcement coming into the last 7 games of the season is not unexpected.
Yeah mate....that's what I was kinda trying to say...a 16 year old might be quicker than a 30 year old, yet both are tested as 'match fit' for their age. However, sadly, that still means that the older you get, you do lose speed and reaction speed etc. At his age, he was never ever going to continuously hunt for the ball, or bust a gut to win the ball. Instead, at his age, he needed the ball to feet, which we didn't afford him. That said, I still think he did okay for us when he came on....
Can't believe some of the stuff I'm reading on here. To me, from the club's point of view,to get a player of JD experience,and previous history here,which they were prepared to fund,is well worth taking the chance. From JD, he thought he would be able to contribute for us in this league,but overestimated his fitness level and the demands of this division. He's decided to call it a day now,rather than string it out for his,no doubt,high wages,to relieve us of the cost. It's a deal which hasn't worked for the best of reasons for the club and JD integrity....why the vitriol?
His post match recovery time may be longer as well. Not sure if he still uses that cryo chamber, don't think the club still has one....but that used to speed up his recovery. I wish the little fella well, a top, top, pro, and a thoroughly decent person. Loved him when he was here, and the stuff with Bradley.... that will never be forgotten. We saw the person, not just the footballer. Mind, that footballer, even as a 39 year old, added 10,000 to an attendance in League one. A Legend in my eyes.
Maybe it's just a case of he's given it 2 months and feels way off the pace, doesn't think he can make an impact so is giving up the shirt. No conspiracy, just honesty
That’s not exactly the “bust up” you mentioned though. It’s a managerial saying exactly what needed to be said. And if Defoe has slagged the manager or had this bust up you refer to, then good riddance. I doubt he has though. I just can’t see how you get to that conclusion when there are so many other reasons which could be on the table. Makes no sense that a bust up would cause it and not something far less sinister
