I remember the one, it was misplaced and well short of the keeper and remember thinking he was in. In the end the keeper was never threatened.
Maybe, but I think he would have seen out his short term contract even if that was the case. He would probably want to have a chance of being around the club for any play off or wembley appearance I would have thought, even if it was more of an ambassadorial role or a cameo appearance. As it is he has left us short of attacking options if any issues should arise with Stewart and I don't think he would want to do that. Nothing more will be said so I guess we will never know.
Hmm the point being as i and many others have said, as soon as Broadhead was injured we needed to recruit a replace meant as soon as possible, Defoe was alway just going to be back up.. imho this mistake in recruitment could cost us the play-offs!
I remember David Seaman talking about retirement. Said he hadn't really considered it. He was playing for Man City, away I think, anyway he said he put the ball down for a goal kick. He took the goal kick and before the ball hit the ground he had decided "That was it". He was retiring. Perhaps the Defoe situation is the same, just one moment of clarity could be enough.However, still odd at how much effort went into getting him and 2 months later it's game over. Wouldn't surprise me if he's at Wembley for the England game on Saturday for ITV.
I can only speak for myself but I think the whole thing should never have happened. Unless we get better explanations, such as injuries, I find the whole thing a bit of a problem on both sides. Whether this classes as vitriol I dont think so, but I do find it incredibly disappointing. I think a pro of 20 years should know if he was up to it or not, personally. I think both parties got lost in the romance of the thing. Logic said from the very first time it was suggested it shouldnt happen. It now appears that the only one involved at the time who applied logic was Johnson, and based on nothing other than reading between the lines this was one of the reasons he went. I remember people screaming blue murder about Johnson blocking this deal. Now we shouldnt just say ah well, shame it never worked out, but without any sort of questions being asked. It looks to be a major mistake, and people should at least own their mistakes. In my opinion the club were foolish to make the signing, from a footballing perspective, when they needed someone very different and I would like to think somebody is asked to review that particular decision making process.
Given the high profile issues we have had with numerous players at the club over the years don't you think a falling out of some description could indeed be a highly probable reason for him to apparently cancel a contract with 7 games left on it and walk into the sunset? I mean Chris Maguire's return was a resounding success and there was obviously no animosity towards our former manager there was there? Players want to play and maybe the boss had told him he would be on the bench for the remainder of the season at best if Broadhead is going to be back soon - maybe that was what focussed his mind on retirement. Either way something has happened to change his mind on playing for us and we will never really know whats gone on and why he made the decision.
Yeah there was a fair emphasis on the next chapter of his career in the statement - offer too good to refuse from the media?
Would that make him the only footballer in the history of the game who would do that? He would be the antimatter to Rodwell's matter if that were the case.
Probably mate. Play for us, or sit in the studio talking about it. To be fair, he's 39 and has the right to do as he chooses. However, I'm sure this decision hasn't been made lightly. But to retire with immediate effect smells like an injury to me. Sugar coated as own terms as no pro really wants it to end like that. He still had a chance to have "one last dance" at Wembley if we somehow got to the play off final and a chance to score to end the romance. I'm not really buying all this "it's time" stuff, he would have done that 8 weeks ago. I'm pinning my colours on the injured mast. Good look to the man and all the best to him.
Thoughtful post as always marra. It's always easy in hindsight to say it was a mistake on behalf of both sides......if JD had scored to take us into the play-offs or,.....even more fanciful,....he'd scored to win us the play-off final.....this dialogue would be very different. When the decisions are made to sign him,none of this is known. It's a gamble,which didn't come off. C'est la vie.
Too many people looking for a conspiracy. He gave it a go, he realised he wasn't up to it. He retired. It's a simple as that
Had a look over the road......don't know why,it always makes me miserable. Some suggesting that it's somehow Speakman's fault if Stewart gets injured while playing for Scotland.....he should have made provision for that! ****ing hell,man. I think I'm going to give up.
Deleted my account months ago. Haven't regretted it for a moment. 20 years I spent on that board. It's just not worth it any more
Thanks for the memories on and off the pitch. Wish it had worked out this time and you'd written the final chapter most of us dreamed about. Not to be. Good luck in whatever you do next. Cheers.
Yep,me too....I was 15 years or so....striker level. Deleted my account after what I thought was a discussion with someone which went to nonsense via pm. Much prefer the more reasoned debate we have on here.
