Sentiment vs Reality

[joellufcprice]

Past few days I've seen some utter drivel on Twitter, Facebook and the like regarding players. Berardi in particular, his deal is obviously up at the end of the season and the argument is should he be given another year, the answer is no.

I've seen some suggesting we give him a coaching role, he is bloody 32! Berardi has 4+ years left and doesn't exactly ever strike me as someone who has lost the passion to play. So that is absolute nonsense, yet the knuckle draggers typing their comments with their tongue on Facebook seem to think it is the greatest idea ever.

With regards to another year.......yes, he has done us a great service and to me is our most loyal and dedicated player. He was there when those snakes Antenucci, Silvestri, Bellusci etc refused to play. An injured Gaetano refused and even requested to be on the bench so he wouldn't be associated with that scum. However, we have given him another year already, we as a club did our bit by giving a man who realistically was going to be out injured all season a years contract.

Yes, he is obviously a great leader in the squad, yes he is a good example to the youngsters but so what. Lucas Radebe would be, should we give him a three year deal?

Much like a few others, it is time for him to move on and take the next challenge in his career. Leave us with his head high and someone who fans of this generation will always remember. Situations change and we have evolved beyond Berardis talent, sentiment is fine but you can't have a squad full of players just because they're good for the dressing room.

For what its worth I think the same of Alioski+ Forshaw and eventually Ayling, Cooper, Klich, Hernandez. All done us a great service but they aren't going to take us to the next level, some have another 2 years in them but some just need to do whats best for them and their career going forward.

[Ozwhites]

Yep, those usual suspects sitting at the top of the ladder year in year out are not there due to sentiment. As much as the players you've mentioned are greatly admired, being run as a progressive business needs to be the priority going forward.

[Sniffer999]

Past few days I've seen some utter drivel on Twitter, Facebook and the like regarding players. Berardi in particular, his deal is obviously up at the end of the season and the argument is should he be given another year, the answer is no.

I've seen some suggesting we give him a coaching role, he is bloody 32! Berardi has 4+ years left and doesn't exactly ever strike me as someone who has lost the passion to play. So that is absolute nonsense, yet the knuckle draggers typing their comments with their tongue on Facebook seem to think it is the greatest idea ever.

With regards to another year.......yes, he has done us a great service and to me is our most loyal and dedicated player. He was there when those snakes Antenucci, Silvestri, Bellusci etc refused to play. An injured Gaetano refused and even requested to be on the bench so he wouldn't be associated with that scum. However, we have given him another year already, we as a club did our bit by giving a man who realistically was going to be out injured all season a years contract.

Yes, he is obviously a great leader in the squad, yes he is a good example to the youngsters but so what. Lucas Radebe would be, should we give him a three year deal?

Much like a few others, it is time for him to move on and take the next challenge in his career. Leave us with his head high and someone who fans of this generation will always remember. Situations change and we have evolved beyond Berardis talent, sentiment is fine but you can't have a squad full of players just because they're good for the dressing room.

For what its worth I think the same of Alioski+ Forshaw and eventually Ayling, Cooper, Klich, Hernandez. All done us a great service but they aren't going to take us to the next level, some have another 2 years in them but some just need to do whats best for them and their career going forward.

Agree with all this. Also we a club which doesn’t spend a great deal so this sort of salary saving would help.

[UbiqueLUFC33]

Much like a few others, it is time for him to move on and take the next challenge in his career. Leave us with his head high and someone who fans of this generation will always remember. Situations change and we have evolved beyond Berardis talent, sentiment is fine but you can't have a squad full of players just because they're good for the dressing room.

For what its worth I think the same of Alioski+ Forshaw and eventually Ayling, Cooper, Klich, Hernandez. All done us a great service but they aren't going to take us to the next level, some have another 2 years in them but some just need to do whats best for them and their career going forward.

Whilst I can agree with the rationale I'm not sure about the practicality. If we dispose of all those you have listed, which is a fair percentage of our starting XI, then we would need a significant influx of new (and quality) players and, apart from a couple, this won't come from the U23s. Do you think we have the will (or funds) to make that happen?

Recent weeks have exposed the paper thin veneer of our under-strength squad. Man City seem to play just as well with De Bruyne out and Aguero on the bench and yet our response to a 3-0 down halftime crisis rests with Costa and Roberts.

I disagree with your suggestion to lose Ayling as I think he is a good right back at this level.

[ozleeds]

Well Well said the same about Berardi when he got injured and got facepalmed insulted so on unreal.
Now Joel I agree 100 percent.
And the poster above I would have 5 more players like Ayling who loves the club and plays his heart out every time than a few millionaires that play 2 games a season Mind you he is like 10 times better player than the above mentioned.