Suicide to let VVD go, but Fonte....? In the past perhaps, but you don't need a disillusioned CB with his heart not in it. The only reason to keep him would be a) you have absolutely no one else and a CB in a funk is better than none at all or b) you are so angry, you'd see him in hell, even if it cost you millions.
I got the impression from the article that this has happened before today, maybe even some time ago? The article is signed off as read more in tomorrow's Daily Echo on VVD, Jan Transfers and Puel. It appears to me Les has given one of his rare interview which includes this piece of news. The article mentions they offered him an extension 6 months after his last (Oct-15) Either way, I agree completely. He shouldn't be leading the team out, and definitely now this is public knowledge.
Have you been following the Fonte story all summer closely, or just the last month - genuine question.
Agreed. January is a terrible time to be shopping for a centre back too but we will have to look at something. Kurt Zouma on loan?
For a bit more security towards end of his career and may feel he deserves it due to his loyalty? I see both sides tbh.
When players want out but are too greedy to submit a request it boils my piss, so fair play to him for that. Like someone else said, I think he's missed his dream move, so this just makes things uncomfortable. But, knowing Mendes, there is something lined up.
I think the club may have backed him into a corner, he wanted to go in the summer and the club refused, Puel has said many times that Fonte and VVD will not be sold this month. I guess he thinks the club owe him the chance to move on after the summer refusal and the club were not making the right noises so his only choice was to hand in a request. I have no problem with it and am glad he's being open about it.
Adam Blackmore and Adam Leitch had a long chat with Les Reed this morning. All to come out tomorrow apparently. Also Fonte was binned from the Europa League which was weird.
I would just like to say thanks to Jose now for the past 6/7 years. He has been a rock and a fabulous captain. I am very disappointed in him wanting to leave as I really thought he'd be the one to stay and finish his playing days here and then maybe even become a coach. I won't wish him luck if he leaves to join another Premier League side because once he does that, I hope he has no luck at all. However, he has been something special for us, just a shame it wasn't a glorious ending. Fingers crossed he ends up in Portugal, but I doubt it. I so hope we get to Wembley now and he watches Virgil lead the team out from his armchair
Yep, VVD, January and Puel are on the agenda. Be interesting to see how recently it was, and what was said. Might now shut the Les Reed needs to speak NOW ****ers up
My disappointment in him started at the beginning of this season when he was sulking....wasn't there when we needed him (though to be fair he had been there for us in previous seasons). Very little sign of him in the public forum at difficult times either. His head was turned by his time with the Portugal team....international duty has done that with players before....he reckons he's outgrown us. I do have some sympathy as he is in his last few years as a footballer and who knows what he has been promised. He isn't a god with feet of clay, he has just shown that he is like the rest of us....most of us would jump at one last big pay day. We all think that he could have finished his time here, but who knows what his position would be if we are sold. How many more years do we think he could have played for us.? I am sad, but life moves on and, for me, it started to move on in the summer.
100% agree. This doesn't mask the fact he's been a fantastic player for us. It's true he's on the decline, and that's why I don't think anyone is too upset. I too can't wish him well if he joins another PL club, but if he moves back to Portugal then fair enough, so be it. Sad to see the last of the League One bunch go, but not sad from a playing squad point of view, from which he's certainly replaceable. Over to the board now to get something sorted out so all parties are happy.
All eras come to an end and Jose is the last link to the promotion years, he's done his time here and wants a big payday for his swansong. I believe that he has acted professionally and put it in on the pitch this season. It's sad, but at least we solve his replacement sooner rather than later.
I know earlier posts have me bad mouthing him but I do realise that he has been a fantastic servant to club and has brought us some amazing memories. If he thinks he can play somewhere else then fine, good luck to him. Not quite Rickie Lambert good luck, but good luck nevertheless.
