It’s disappointing however the failures are more about not bringing in 2 strikers in the window - Defoe would have ideally been the lift for the last 15 mins , we should have had more cover for Stewart , hardly Defoes fault .
im as disappointed as anyone he’s packed in but the blame lies solely at recruitment or lack of
Get a grip
100% Defoe shouldn’t have been the one striker signing in January. If we’d have signed two, I’d have still been a bit pissed off at Defoe right now, but hopefully not concerned he’s left us short on numbers. Which is why I’m pissed off, he’s made a decision to leave us short on numbers & regardless of Janusrys failing, the club can’t act until the summer.
That's the difference. You are a supporter not a player. Would you be willing to do the same for South Shields or Blyth Spartans? If a person doesn't feel physical or mentally able to play on then there's no much you can do.
Post like this are pathetic. Crying and abusing someone because they decided to retire.
I wouldn’t have committed to them if I didn’t believe I could contribute for a short period of time. He signed because he wanted to sign, for him, not the club, cause, team, whatever. It was about him.
Physically, that should never have been a question mark for either party. Poor on both sides if it’s because his body isn’t up to it. Mentally is a completely different scenario. But there’s a wide range of that conversation ranging from the more serious end which I wouldn’t argue with to him just not feeling up to standard anymore, which isn’t an excuse. Even at 39, we’ve had far worse players play for us who weren’t good enough.
I agree he gave up from February onwards. But it wasn't the case that he was brilliant, stopped trying then brilliant again. He never got close to that form again - he was 34, was bombed out pretty quickly at Bournemouth then had a couple of years as a squad player in Scotland. Do you not think his legs went during that season and part of his 'horrendous attitude' was actually frustration at not being about to do what his mind wanted to do anymore?
Again, not saying he didn't give up - they all did.
Aye, that’s a well reasoned argument. It was depressing watching, I’m guessing living it everyday was horrendous. There’s that saying “familiarity breeds contempt”. Gooch will never be a success at SAFC now because too many have decided he’s shite & won’t change their mind, no matter how well he does. It was a bit the opposite for Defoe at that time for me. I’d seen him do so well & have a great attitude to it falling apart.
Fuck me, even Moyes, I can’t stand the bloke, but no manager would have been able to succeed in that set up. Just Moyes did it spectacularly bad.
