Not arsed either way. If he doesn’t want to be here it’s not a huge loss. To see him not want to play in our biggest game of the season is a disgrace tbh. There are better CBs in the championship and relegated sides which should be available to replace him. He’s good at last ditch tackles but often out of position for him to make those tackles in the first place. Not amazing in the air, nothing remarkable about his passing. Just an average bottom half CB. Still fairly young and could improve, but equally wouldn’t be a huge loss now we have Lyanco as back up.
Yeah, it must be down to reading Not606 I mean, I think he is pretty average and if thus was Salisu I doubt we'd be throwing him under the bus, but he is average and if he couldn't be arsed then move him on. Even before all this I thought, well hoped he could be sold and funds reinvested as I don't think he is good enough to be starting for us.
I think we should sell him to Leicester, then they would have 3 of the 4 back four that conceded 9 against them.
I don’t venture onto social media much but I can guarantee it’s full of the ‘get rid’ patrol. And yeah, players do read social media. Bednarek has given us five years of decent service and to just turn on him for this, makes me think that the fans actually have just as little loyalty as the players. So we can’t really complain when the ones we like want to move on. If the supporters were more, you know, supportive, then maybe players would be more loyal.
100% We also forget that this is someone's job and career and if I went to work and everyday people were signing that I'm ****, it wouldn't spur me on to be better. The other thing we forget is that most of our players are young - just kids really. At 20-25 are you mature enough to handle all the pressure and negativity from fans? I wasn't. The older you get the more thick skin you get. Yes, the response is "for that amount of money I would be able to", but again, until you get older you don't realise that is bullshit.
I don't get the change in attitude. For a long time he has been our best and most consistent defender. Okay, that is not a big compliment, but he is a proven premier league defender.
I didn't see any sarcastic clapping but there was a moment late on against Watford after he had unnecessarily passed backwards there was a collective groan and he held his hands out as if to say "what's that for?" Was that the same incident?
Yeah, fair enough about his service. Personally im not turning on him for this incident, I just havent ever really rated him. So id suggest he has given us 5 years of average service, and if we can sell him and use the generated funds to reinvest, as we know is our model, then I have no issue doing so. Im plenty supportive of the players in general, i dont go slagging them off on here during the game like some do, Saintsweb (i dont do social media) and I dont when i am at the game. And i really dont buy into this loyalty from players based on what they read, fair enough if you do, i just dont see it. Any fanbase, in fact, every fanbase will have some nutters who moan whatsoever, so id be pretty amazed if players loyalty was based on that. Although if he has not wanted to play in a match of this magnitude, would speak volumes about his attitude towards the club, the ones who pay his wages.
Sadly players take a lot of stick if they make a mistake. All players on the field are not expected to make mistakes I ask you though which of us has not made mistakes when under pressure? Also if people shout at you for the rest of the game would you not react at the end? The answer really is that more than likely we would, as he did. It doesn’t make beddy a bad player though. He might not be the best but over all this season he in the main has been a steady defender.
While I totally agree that supporters should be supportive I don't think it has any bearing when an offer comes in. In other words players can undoubtedly be hounded out of a club but being idolised wouldn't persuade them to be loyal either. The fans (if that's what they really are) should back the players while they are at Saints if only to get the best out of them while they are here. The sarcastic cheering when Fraser caught a cross or made a clearance was shameful for home fans to be doing. But there's no such thing as loyalty from anyone in football anyway. Clubs sell players when it suits them, players leave for more money and fans think good players should be loyal and stay but others should be dumped. I've got used to players leaving and don't really begrudge it either. They are obviously told we won't stand in their way if a decent offer is made after a year or two. It's only when they leave after stating undying love for the club or secret meetings in Blackpool that I think they deserve abuse.
It's a shame people (not necessarily you Beddy) don't like to apply this to other careers such as Police Officers!
I don't think this necessarily means he 100% is on his way out but I do think he needs to leave. We clearly only have one top CB in Salisu, and even he makes the odd mistake. We can't say for sure how good Lyanco is but he certainly wasn't signed as a starting CB and neither Stephens or Bednerak are good enough to be top half/pushing Europe consistently. We need a new CB to partner Salisu next season and we wouldnt have 5 on the books so one needs to go. The only one i think we could sell is Beddy so it makes sense really.
I thought Stephens was out of contract. If so and he’s looking elsewhere then we certainly can’t afford to lose Bedders just yet. Salisu is developing, Lyanco still settling in. What we lack is a natural leader like we had in VVD - anyone will look good alongside someone like that. Especially someone like Bedders.
I seem to remember that Dan Sheldon said that Stephens signed an extension and we just have never announced it for some reason, same as McCarthy. Anyone else remember hearing that? (Probably on TSP and think it was quite a long time ago now) or am I making things up again
Unfortunately VVD is world class talent and finding a player/leader of his caliber is almost impossible. I don’t mean to be to harsh on Bedders btw. I do think he’s decent and I would be happy for him to stay if he is committed to saints. There is definitely a real possibility of him improving and/or becoming a Fonte like player for us if he stayed a long time. I just won’t cry if he leaves now. He doesn’t seem too happy here. I think he has said a couple of things in the media before as well if I recall. So add the comments, the clap and sitting out of our FA cup game would show me his head is out the door already.
Yes, a leader of men on the pitch and in the dressing room. We would be crazy not to offer him a coaching role at the club when he finally retires IMO.
