My immediate reaction is sadness, as he was a great servant for us, and a great leader, and last season was his best for a long time … … because we're in the ****ing third division. We had to fall that low for him to shine. And he was on Premier League wages (well, -40%). Hope we use the wages saved to significantly strengthen the team. Getting competent defensive midfielders can't be that difficult, in fact we already have several! Good luck to the lad, hopefully he can get a lower league Championship club for his last years.
It'll be interesting to see how he does in a different and better side after ten years with us. It's been hard to tell objectively how good he is because so often our team environment has been toxic.
He used to love Catts. He signed him at Wigan aswell. I wouldnt be suprised to see Seb get announced today for them aswell.
No doubt it's logical at least in the short term. However, when/if we start moving back up the leagues, then he would be just the sort of player we will need. So while I can appreciate the 'why's' I still regret it.
Is he really though, or is that sentimentality? He wasn't good enough in the Championship. If Allardyce had stayed I think he would have gone. With M'Vila and Kirchhoff in the side it was really just a case of waiting for a decent attacking midfielder to sign and he would have been surplus to requirements.
As one of (his?) biggest fan! I'm gutted to see him go - but from a financial and footballing perspective, it makes absolute sense. With Allardyce he played more games than just about any season previously even when Kirchhoff and M'Vila were playing he still got a lot of game time (and was fitter than ever before too). I looked this up and was very surprised at how much game time he got. Allardyce seemed to want him in the side (think I saw an interview saying that too that he said Catts was very important to his side) Only one of our managers hasn't rated him and that was the fruit loop Di Canio! As I say - gutted it's ended but makes absolute sense
I was wondering when you'd comment on this thread Marcus! He did play a lot under Allardyce. It always looked uncomfortable to me though and like he was being asked to perform a role that didn't suit him. Poyet didn't rate him at the start either though. That's why we ended up with Bridcutt who was about as much use as a catflap in a submarine. This sort of goes back to what I said about him being a comfort blanket. You could always guarantee that he'd work hard. A couple of managers tried to replace him but when things started going wrong for them, putting him back in the side increased the work rate and mollified the fans because they could see some heart and commitment. Didn't necessarily increase the quality though. We're never going to agree on Cattermole though so I don't know why I bothered typing this!! Oh, and Paolo was right. About everything. Apart from not talking to the cleaners.
Wish him well, he hung around and tried to get us back up but makes sense for us and him now. Thanks for not doing a Rodwell and trying your best Catts, fair play to you mate
