Doesn't mean we didn't try does it? We definitely held talks. I usually get more info about players leaving anyways. It's why SecondStain says I never have good news.
Jack won't sign a contract now, this offer is six months too late. We have been blessed with some quality Midfielders so there's no point feeling aggrieved about the situation right now, although I reckon, in the summer this subject will certainly be re-visited, because we'll be looking for other replacements in the market, & trying to find someone decent.............. ..........Like Jack Cork.
I'm fine with Cork not signing a contract...it is up to him, however he should say if he has no intention of signing. So my guess is that he is keeping us hanging whilst he makes sure he has a better offer. Saints are now saying that they want a yes or the offer is withdrawn. He'll certainly get another club, so not too huge a risk to say no.
If it's first team football he wants, it doesn't matter when the offer was made. He wasn't getting first team games at any stage.
I am sure there was an offer in the summer, as with Fonte. Cork wants first team football, all the complaints from his dad were he wasn't playing enough. Nothing on that front has changed since the summer and will not through to the end of the season, we just have better players than him. The timeframe is irrelevant.
Of course we may have jumped to the conclusion that we've given Cork a time scale. It is entirely possible that Cork has promised us an answer by next week...that would also fit in with what Koeman said.
Problem was his injury. He was very much in the frame before that. But Wanyama's form since then has cemented him in his place. Remember he started the tough away game to an in form Swansea (amongst others). I can definitely see him dropping down the table and perhaps even getting a payrise by doing it. That is a sad fact about modern football. I would just be disappointed if he goes somewhere like West Ham and ends up on their bench as well (behind Song and Kouyate in that case)
Possibly, but possibly not. I'm sure there was more to this than our contract team just not being bothered to do anything about it. If there's one thing we've learned about our setup over the past year, it's that we don't do anything without a reason. It's entirely possible that Jack was saying something that stopped us offering him a contract. Not saying it's so, just that there is possibly more to this than meets the eye. I'd be amazed if we on here all noticed that we could do with him signing yet the club didn't. Vin
I like Jack, I think he's a great player. And still underrated. He played a lot of games in place of Wanyama or Morgan, and I don't think you could say we missed them with Cork in the team. I never perceived him as a weak link in our lineup nor were his performances ever bellow the level we now strive to play on. It's up to him now, I hope he signs. If not, best of luck to him.
By all indications, there wasn't an offer in the summer; either Ralph or Les (can't remember which) said as much. As for having better players, we do...however, when all three of Schneiderlin/Wanyama/Cork were healthy, Cork was far from frozen out.
Cork (as far as I know) hasn't pretended he is staying and he is nearing the end of his contract, so has every right to go. Nothing like Mauricio.
I get the feeling that the club is revealing a lot more about these contract negotiations just to show they made an effort but don't expect him to stay. Shame really.
In some ways I hope he goes. I hate seeing him on the bench when I think he is our 2nd best midfielder and possibly the best English player in that fetching/carrying role. If you compare Schneiderlin, Wanyama, Davis, Ward-Prowse and even Reed, there are things that each one of those does better than Cork but Cork has a bit of everything and as an all-round midfielder it is why I think he is second only to Morgan. This season he's had some bad luck with Wanyama hitting form at just the right time and then getting an injury at just the wrong time for him. He deserves to play first team football for a club that believes in him. Simple as that. He has never complained about his situation, always supported the players in the team and has always given his best when called upon. I'm convinced he is good enough to play for England but he's never going to do that if he can't play on a regular basis. I know many people on here don't share that opinion of him but football is all about opinions and we don't always agree! I want him to stay, but only if he plays. If the coaches at the club think he doesn't deserve a place in the team if everyone else is fit then sobeit, my opinion of him means precisely, zilch. If we can't have the best of him then I hope he is given a chance to fulfil his potential at a decent club.
