by Southbank Old Boy »
22 Jun 2009 12:17
Dirk Gently Royal Lady If a player wants to go, there's no point hanging out for a price if no-one is offering anywhere near that amount. I'd let SHunt go for nothing to be perfectly honest. Doyle is different though, if he doesn't want to leave, then we should do all we can to hang on to him and if that includes inflating his price a bit to put off other bidders, then so be it.
Just playing devil's advocate on this, should we have let Lita leave in January on a free transfer?
History suggests we certainly should have done, as he contributed nothing (except dressing room disharmony!) and we would have saved 6 months' worth of wages - but that's only in hindsight. Difficult to make that decision in January....
Definately should have done
Think most could see that at the time as well to be honest. The club wanted to get rid of him, thats why we accepted the Sheff U bid
A player under contract doesnt have to do what the club wants though, and I guess that Lita knew he had very good chances of getting a better, more lucrative, deal by holding out and waiting for the summer when clubs are better placed to move players about
A free from Reading would have worked for me, but it doesnt mean the clubs wanting him could afford to make the offers they can now in the summer
As for Doyle, he has to go this summer for his own good. Its a real shame as he has been a great player for us but another year in the Championship might take him off Premiership clubs radars and for his chances of getting back to the top flight he probably has to go now