Tbf Bob, if I remember correctly, that was the gripe with your initial post, that he "won't be playing the play offs"
So that's Speakman and RLB both said they wanted Watson to stay and sign a new contact but he wasn't interested so has been sold! How anyone can see this situation and think its come about because the club wanted to sell is beyond me! The club have got a decent deal in place, the player has got the move and no doubt bump in wages he wanted! I think he has been a bit disloyal to push for it so much when he is only 18, only made a handful of appearances and a Sunderland lad but the club have got a decent fee so isn't the end of the world!
Aye, dependant on business I’d have Ipswich as my favourites next season. Of course they’ll lose a few players but people aren’t taking into account that others clubs, like us, will also lose players if we don’t go up. The PL money plus player sales money will give them a massive advantage over clubs without PP.
Glad it's all came out in the wash with what was said in January. Deserves zero respect or appreciation from the fans. Boy has jumped ship before an iceberg has been sighted.
He's totally correct. He's saying it's irrelevant to Watson regarding his decision to leave Sunderland and goes on to qualify what he's saying. You're reading that part in isolation and thinking he's saying Watson couldn't care less if Sunderland are promoted. I'd imagine he does as he's local and has teammates like Rigg, Patterson, Neil, etc, who he'd want to do well.
I read it that he is assuming premier league football is what Watson wants, and he couldnt care less if Sunderland get there and wont wait to find out. In other words this is only about football and the level. Unless we are privy to Watson and his family thinking how can we be sure? I remember as an 18 year old living in the north east I couldnt wait to get away. I wanted more from life. I could have done what I did in the NE, but wanted something different. Now I am on old get I want the NE back. The lad is still a kid really, like I was at 18, and he may live to regret his decision. But to assume we know all the reasons he has made it is arrogant in my opinion, if not narrow minded too. Watson has been pilloried by the fans and I dont think they are being reasonable in any way. Certainly not thinking about what is best for the side and club. Smith is stoking the fire. Watson may well be needed and he should be supported to the end, not be hoped never to be seen again. We need to remember there are younger Watson family members in our academy so him leaving with angry fans in his ear is hardly helpful. We have done alright out of the deal, so lets not pretend he owes us anything. I am gutted to see him go, because I think he is going to be a superb player, but I am not buying into all this send him to Coventry nonsense, or he has **** on us from a height.
I've read it back again and just don't believe that's what he's saying at all ... ... that's all I was responding to. The rest doesn't apply to me, I've certainly not pilloried him, aren't the least bit angry won't be sending him to Coventry. I'd rather he doesn't start for us again but only for footballing reasons.
£10 million pays for the academy for a good few years, keeps the wheels in motion and the conveyor belt of talent moving. As with all of those fortunate to be picked to wear the shirt for the first team they get my support until they leave. The lads need us behind them for the run in and the play offs, if RLB decides to play Watson we back him, the squad have earned that imo.
If RLB thinks Watsons heads in the game then I say use him. If he downs tools now I don't exactly think that would please Brighton or their fans either. It's a great deal for the club in my opinion, especially if we don't go up. He's a decent player with huge potential but £10m goes a long way in this league.
I don't think he can start, Mundle would be really upset imo. Watson can sit on the bench and be used if needed. I agree with you, more good business by the club.
Mundle is the better player and i'd argue one of our best and most important players also so I agree he shouldn't start but if it's the last few games of the season and we are confirmed in 4th then i'd rest Mundle
While I understand a lot of the sentiment I called him a ****er the other day for leaving at first opportunity without even hitting double digits for the first team. Maybe ****er was a bit strong but I do think he has been a bit ungrateful to the club to not even give them a couple of seasons, club seemed to prefer this selling now. He has come through the academy and just been helped back from injury and although the club have got a decent fee in they wanted to keep him as they probably thought give him a full season even two playing first team football and we will get treble that! I very very much doubt he is going to be playing first team in the Premier league for a club in the top half of the Premier league! There is already rumours he will be going out on loan and it is highly likely that will be the case and to the championship as Brighton have likely signed him for the future. It has been suggested by media today he is aware of this so he hasn't moved for footballing reasons has he really, not immediate improvement anyway. He could have stayed here and fought it out for that left side with Mundle and he would be more likely to get a first team spot here than moving to a premier league club, he isn't even regular starting 11 here yet! Your comment about you wanting to get away from North East at 18 cause you wanted more with all respect to you is completely different to this! I assume you wanted to get away to have better career choices and the chance to improve yourself and you opportunities. This is a 28 year old lad playing for his boyhood club, hardly moving due to lack of prospects is he? Yeah it's probably nicer down there weather etc... and closer to London so that probably appeals! I can't see past premier league money being the biggest factor for him because everything else is too soon and he may aswell stayed here and got into the first team and then moved when he was going to be a starter for a premier league team! To top it all it off it has been said he was advised by Ian Hart and Danny Graham ffs! In my humble opinion this shows the difference of having the right people around you like Rigg, would Watson have knocked back the offers Rigg had before signing pro. Na he would be sat in Man Utd reserves now!
Its been known a while ain't it? Or else the interest would have at least died down. They've wanted him since he was 15 year old.
Isn't it better everyone gets behind him, he has chosen his path, the team need us to be fully behind them