I don’t think that’s the case. On merit he was always ahead of Mepham. He wasn’t playing for other reasons, which I simply don’t get.
If the club wanted him out due to being one of the last remaining high earners, then that’s a business decision. Once the transfer window had closed and he was still our player until January at the earliest, then his lack of selection was for other reasons. The club have been forced into selecting him again due to the injuries to Kelly and Cahill. Whoever was making that choice to leave him in cold now looks very foolish, but at least common sense prevailed eventually.
We have been linked with him too.
Be a classic defensive signing for us .
Around 30 and not always in the team .
Seems like Steve could well be on his way out, aside from the immediate disappointment that he has proved he more than an able back up this season it’ll be the end of an era. 10 years at any football club is hard to achieve, over 360 appearances spanning 3 different leagues is amazing. The guy is the ultimate professional, has been a fantastic captain and servant.
Gutted we can’t give him a decent send off if he does go, unless a later dated testimonial can take place?
Seems like Steve could well be on his way out, aside from the immediate disappointment that he has proved he more than an able back up this season it’ll be the end of an era. 10 years at any football club is hard to achieve, over 360 appearances spanning 3 different leagues is amazing. The guy is the ultimate professional, has been a fantastic captain and servant.
Gutted we can’t give him a decent send off if he does go, unless a later dated testimonial can take place?
Completely agree. I still don’t quite get “it”. Him being frozen out during the earlier part of the season only for an embarrassing u-turn to not only pick him but see him put in a man of the match performance and a couple of block sequences which will make every single highlight reel of the season.
Even last night, Cook makes that starting XI, whatever we are recouping/saving by booting him out, was it really worth risking results - past and present - which could see us earn promotion (and take hundreds of millions).
is it a case of just needing him off the books for wages? or something else? (I have no idea by the way)
Completely agree. I still don’t quite get “it”. Him being frozen out during the earlier part of the season only for an embarrassing u-turn to not only pick him but see him put in a man of the match performance and a couple of block sequences which will make every single highlight reel of the season.
Even last night, Cook makes that starting XI, whatever we are recouping/saving by booting him out, was it really worth risking results - past and present - which could see us earn promotion (and take hundreds of millions).
At the start of the season Parker was told that only one of the 4 mega wage players could stay. Lerma was chosen, partly because of contract length and the fact he didn’t want to leave, and Danjuma, Begovic and Cook were reluctantly told they could go.I think it is a big reason.
At the start of the season Parker was told that only one of the 4 mega wage players could stay. Lerma was chosen, partly because of contract length and the fact he didn’t want to leave, and Danjuma, Begovic and Cook were reluctantly told they could go.
Cook had a deal lined up but it fell through . I think it’s right that Parker didn’t choose to build a side around someone who wasn’t staying in Jan and also the club couldn’t risk playing him, injuring him and paying him 3m to sit on a treatment table. Then injuries got so bad he came back into the fold and was outstanding.
Even with that level of performance I kind of get it, and I speak as someone who always loved Cookie even when a lot on here were questionning his ability to play PL football. Once the decision was taken at board level we couldn’t have four 3m plus earners those players had to go. Plus we all would have picked Lerma out of those four.
His behaviour through the whole thing has been exemplary and I hope he has a brilliant last knock somewhere big. Newcastle?
Well put, we have a top budget for this level, but still can't afford to keep everyone. Plus Cahill brought in. Someone who Parker clearly fancies a better fit/player for what he wants to achieve.
Newcastle signing him though? Although not totally unrealistic, that would be embarrassing... for them.
Have you watched their current back line?
If playing time is what he’s after I’d be very surprised if he moves to the PL.It's another indictment of last seasons failure that he won't now make the all time top three appearance makers for us. He should have.
Very sad to see him go but only wish him the best of luck.
Unless he goes to Burnley, Watford, Brighton or Southampton.