Idle, wishful and pointless speculation - Sidwell

[PistolPete]

Steve Sidwell is to leave Fulham.

Maybe he wants to come back and play for free...

[WoodleyRoyal]

yes please 4 cm's of Karacan Guthrie Williams Sidwell would be quite fantastic.... wont happen though

[Royal Lady]

Did you mean Idle?

[WoodleyRoyal]

Did you mean Idle?

you're idle

[JakeTheRoyal]

yes please 4 cm's of Karacan Guthrie Williams Sidwell would be quite fantastic.... wont happen though

That as a diamond in midfield would get Nige all hot and flusted

[PistolPete]

Did you mean Idle?

Yep

Crap spelling, pointless thread. Oh well

[howser]

Would take him back without question, surprised that they are letting him go, was the best player there last season 17 goals as well.

[Pepe the Horseman]

He's probably going because he wants to stay in the Premier League.

[Royalcop]

Could see him going to QPR if they go up or possibly Palace; no way he'd come back here even if we could afford him and after the mercenary way he treated us I'm not sorry.

[Chuckle Brother]

Could see him going to QPR if they go up or possibly Palace; no way he'd come back here even if we could afford him and after the mercenary way he treated us I'm not sorry.

Absolute drivel.

[genome]

Bentdner has been released too.

Would we have him here?

[Royalcop]

Could see him going to QPR if they go up or possibly Palace; no way he'd come back here even if we could afford him and after the mercenary way he treated us I'm not sorry.

Absolute drivel.

How so? He ran his contract down so he could command a big signing on fee and big wages when he went to warm Chelsea's bench leaving us with a massive hole in midfield (and subsequent relegation) and no financial recompense. I'm not arguing that he wasn't entirely within his rights to do this, such is the depressing way of modern football, but don't expect me to welcome him back with open arms.

[Tommy Youlden's Ears]

Could see him going to QPR if they go up or possibly Palace; no way he'd come back here even if we could afford him and after the mercenary way he treated us I'm not sorry.

Absolute drivel.

How so? He ran his contract down so he could command a big signing on fee and big wages when he went to warm Chelsea's bench leaving us with a massive hole in midfield (and subsequent relegation) and no financial recompense. I'm not arguing that he wasn't entirely within his rights to do this, such is the depressing way of modern football, but don't expect me to welcome him back with open arms.

One eyed drivel

Sidwell is deeply admirable IMO. He's had a great career where he's maximised his talent through hard work and application, gave himself a shot at the top tier with Chelea and when he didn't quite make it, built a reputation as a prem stalwart that's kept him employed ever since.

He honoured his contract with us, and owes us nothing. I hope he's built a financial foundation for the next generation or two of his family. I hope he's proud of his career.

"Leaving us with a massive hole in midfield"...that's our fault. If you don't succession plan, what do you expect?

[PieEater]

And the alternative view to running down his contract to get a signing on fee is that he played in the Prem for a season on much lower wages than he could of earned. IIRC we were offering 16k-20k a week at the time, so he'd of been on a lot less than that.

[Royalcop]

Sidwell is deeply admirable IMO. He's had a great career where he's maximised his talent through hard work and application, gave himself a shot at the top tier with Chelea and when he didn't quite make it, built a reputation as a prem stalwart that's kept him employed ever since.

I always think Sidwell's career is a missed opportunity in that he should arguably have been pushing towards England recognition when he left us but chose to take the money at Chelsea rather than guaranteed game time with us or another competitive Prem team. He then let himself stagnate at Villa before a late awakening of his dormant talents at Fulham. As you say, he's probably not that bothered as financial reward seems to have been his priority but I wonder if he ever thinks that he should have pushed himself a bit further and achieved more?

[Ian Royal]

And the alternative view to running down his contract to get a signing on fee is that he played in the Prem for a season on much lower wages than he could of earned. IIRC we were offering 16k-20k a week at the time, so he'd of been on a lot less than that.

Word was always that he was on £12k a week and our lowest paid member of the first team squad having turned down £16k because he thought he was worth £20k. By the time accepted he was worth that and offered it he'd proved himself in the PL and been offered a deal by Chelsea.

[Royal Lady]

Wasn't it Sidwell who bleated about having a family to support? As if he were on minimum wage or something

[Ian Royal]

Wasn't it Sidwell who bleated about having a family to support? As if he were on minimum wage or something

Yeah, he said quite fairly, that he had a family to think of when deciding what to do about maximising his short term income. I remember at the time you got your knickers in a twist about it too.

[genome]

LOL at anyone who wouldn't take Sidwell.

I can't imagine he would command wages much higher than Wayne Bridge and he is off our wage bill now.

[soggy biscuit]

Wasn't it Sidwell who bleated about having a family to support? As if he were on minimum wage or something

he didn't mention anything about minimum wage, you made a choice to read it that way.

As I said at the time, If I was in Sidwell's position, even as an RFC fan, I would absolutely have done the same.