Most likely a combination of factors. If he feels he's not up to it and the club feels they've got adequate cover then it suits all parties. Maybe there's an injury involved which would have reduced his availability for us anyway. It feels like he was only signed in case Broadhead didn't come back anyway. Given what we know about him as a person he'd have stayed until the end of the season if asked I reckon. There doesn't seem to be any reason to get after anyone involved based on the information we have. It would be nice to see him offered some kind of ambassadorial role. He wasn't here long, granted, but he's had a hell of an impact on and off the pitch.
The volley against the Mags and the impact he had with young Bradley....both will live forever in my mind,and many others I'm sure.
I think it’s a possibility not a probability like you appear to. A new manager comes in after he signs. He struggles and gets told he isn’t guaranteed a place just because he was so good previously. This is exactly what I want to hear from a manager. Not sure why this would cause a bust up you refer to. Seems you were miles off as the decision was, exactly as has been assumed, because he thought it was time. Nothing else "I just thought it was the right time. The niggles in the morning and the stiffness."
this for me...we are talking about a man who was always taken as 'the model professional' within the game, he is not one to take huffs and spit his dummy out so i am firmly in the 'he realised he could not give the performance levels he hoped so called it a day rather than drag another couple of months wages out of the club' camp. as i said earlier, all i can do is wish the lad well in whatever he moves onto, whether it be part of the coaching side (which could have been part reason for him signing) or media work (he may have had a very good offer recently) or even if he just wants to head off for a quiet life.
Isnt it funny though that Johnson didnt sound too keen in bringing him back, he ends up getting sacked, Defoe signs and then the new manager mentions about his fitness and him needing to get up to speed etc. It sounds more and more that Speakman done this deal off his own back and any manager had to like it or lump it. That could also have been the final nail in Johnsons coffin if him and Speakman had different opinions. I agree with what you say about Defoe. He WAS a true professional so spitting his dummy out seems highly unlikely
Not for me. His movement was poor, slow and touch was no where near the standard. Thought he really did look behind the curve.
I get that and I sort of get it but this is a serious business. The manager went the journey. We didn't recruit another striker because we got Defoe. We now don't have that option. Sentimental aspect , agree. Professional standpoint, it's an absolutely a decision that should be looked back on as a total mistake.
Never went on there. Came across as cliquie. People would post stuff and next thing you know they were ganged up on. Then I discovered here, liked the vibe so signed up.
That's pretty much how the DoF model is supposed to work. For Example Head Coach says he needs a striker (with certain attributes) DoF speaks to Scouting Dept Scouting Dept find some candidates DoF negotiates with clubs/players DoF signs player Head Coach gets the type of player he asked for I mean, it doesn't really happen like that in practice, but that is how it's supposed to work
Not been on for 6 months or more. Didn’t post much there anyway it wasn’t worth it. It’s poisonous at times.
In that case I am disappointed he couldn’t battle through to the end of the season. Maybe the nostalgia of it all but I hoped he would be able to do a job for us and get us to the playoff final.
We really should’ve won that day. Annoyed that Allardyce shut up shop second half. N’Doye was playing wide left late on in that game FFS. Yedlin foul throw in the lead up to their goal iirc
We had them boxed off that day didn’t Kirchhoff control the game went off injured and they equalised? I say credit to Defoe for knowing he was done. Leaves a legend.
Agreed. We all fell in love with the idea, but the 2022 Defoe was a shadow of the 2016 version. I have no issue with him admitting that and retiring, but the club were wrong not to bring in a viable backup to Stewart.
