Just a thought but this has been niggling me for a while. Very recently PL released Whitbread and of course we know that he then started talking to Villa and moved there like a shot. What would happen if now PL was to sign Whitbread for Villa now for free! Surely from an ethical point of view, that cannot be right? Needless to say, I think we should be pretty p*ssed off to say the least.
I must admit, I disagree. For me, Whitbread was OK. He stepped up to the mark when we had too many injuries, but wasn't as special as some of the rave reviews we've had here. Particularly towards the end of the season, I noticed his touch and passing is just not on the same level as R Bennett. The fact is, he wasn't worth the amount he was asking for in his contract. Particularly given that he is injury prone, it would seem stupid to do so. I bet Ward is on much, much less than what Whitbread was asking for and both Ayala and Bennett would be ahead of them, so Ward is an adequate back-up. I certainly wouldn't be pissed off if Villa shell out the amount Whitbread wants.
If Whitbread went to Villa we will have well and truly been done over. Rob disagree about Whitbread, think he was top all season. I think Ryan Bennett has great potential and we all have a right to get excited of the player he could be but I don't think he was as good when he played for us as everyone makes out, I don't think he would have played much if Ayala and Whitbread were fit. I know a few people will defend him and don't get me wrong I think he will be a top defender but I don't see how he improved the defence last year? Just my opinion
You're all missing the point apart from Rob! Whitbread's demands were too high for our pay structure! If he goes to Villa it's because they are willing to pay higher wages than we are!
Yeah, I'm well aware I'm in the minority about Whitbread. People have raved about him time and again. Don't get me wrong- he did a great job for most of the season when he wasn't injured, I just feel that he has been a little over-rated. Given the choice between him and Ward, obviously it would be Whitbread every day of the week. But for huge wages and potential injuries when I'm pretty positive he would be third choice? No, for me, Villa can have him. Keeping Norwich solvent really does have to remain the priority at the moment unfortunately. I suppose for me it's just about how he plays the ball. Whitbread didn't get caught on the ball often like Ward, but if you look at his passes he made, too often they put another player under pressure or slowed the game down. I always felt a little panicky when he got hold of the ball and he has just never looked like he has the same level of control/vision as Bennett or Ayala. I also think the combination of those two could easily make up for what Whitbread can do- which is clear the ball. He is a solid defender. But that's just my view and I know most disagree. I suppose my point is that, yes, he's decent, but the wage demands clearly weren't worth it and if Villa are happy to pay him that bit more, good luck to them and fair enough.
Rob - I'm kinda with you on this one. Although Whitbread looked assured and comfortable when he did play, he was injured far more times than he was fit and therefore presented a risk to us when considering his demands for a better wedge. I am sure it was evaluated when it came down to it and thus it was seen as "less risky" to release him than pay up and then see him spend half the season or more on the treatment table - the extra cash will come in useful when settling demands for people who are less prone to getting crocked after all. I liked Whitbread - thought he was a classy player BUT, to me, a classy player who spends most of his time practicing for a bit part in casualty isn't worth upsetting our strict wage ceilings for.
we couldn't afford the wages he wanted, it really is as simple as that! if you're wondering why he wasn't exactly bothered about leaving, its cos he wanted to!! good player, not great, but replaceable. curtis davies would be a good start
Why on earth are we so bothered about a player who whilst was decent was injured half the season? We could bring in a better payers for starters. Us fans should always be hoping to get better players for the squad and not linger on those who have moved on. If he signs for Villa that is a sign of their and Lambert's ambition i.e get in a defender not as good as what we have who will be crocked half the season. Its the same with Holt, why are we bothered? Do you think he will seriously start ahead of Bent? He will go to who will give him the best deal. Get 4/5 million for him add a couple more and get Jordan Rhodes. There are better players than Holt and Whitbread and we should be striving to get them in.
Not bothered in the slightest if he ends up at Villa. Not a player who impressed me at all to be honest. A injury prone player asking us to break out wage structure? No thanks, we aren't QPR.
If he ended up at Villa the whole Lambert thing would look VERY dodgy. I agree though, need to look at future and who to bring over summer, but I did liked Whitbread. Thought he was a decent player.
he was good, no more, as a defender, but when he advanced with the ball he became a liability, as he was sure to lose it somewhere around the halfway line leaving our defence a man short to defend the resulting attack.
If he said to release whitbread with the knowledge that he was going to villa and wanted to sing him there, that's very shaky ground legaly. However, and much more likely, if McNally released him based on not wanting to meet his demands and lambert just want to bring in a defender he knows well to villa. Nothing wrong with that at all.
I am not sure whether Whitbread would play much at Villa because I think that there would be players with better quality than him, might end up playing for the reserves rather than first team football.
I've a feeling Whitbread might end up back in the Championship next year and if he does, it'll probably be on less money than he was offered here. Do you think when we enter contract negotiations with players, we should have a large picture of Darel Russell proudly sporting his PNE kit hanging up behind McNally? Just a thought
doubt it - there are clubs like everton and sunderland sniffing about, while southampton are very keen. he'll get more money at all those clubs too. wouldn't bet against him getting injured though...!
