Quote Originally Posted by Yarmbaggie View Post
It is interesting how players reputations vary so much. There are many on here who would kill to get Gayle transferred to us and think he is the best thing we have had for many a year.

However look at his record this year. Newcastle have played 23 league games and have been struggling for most of the season and been in the relegation places most of not all season. He has remained injury free, for a change, and has been in the match day squad for 19 of those league games.

Yet he has only made 4 substitute appearances for a total of 27 minutes!!

The club are buying players with their new found wealth and will be dropping even further down the pecking order. Yet, either by default or design, he and his agents couldn’t manage a move away from the club either permanently or on a loan.

Says so much about what is wrong with football these days.
Although I do completely agree with your sentiments Yarm I think it’s important to look at Gayle’s personal situation.

He’s 33 this year yet only actually got into pro football nine years ago and so he’s in his last really lucrative contract at Newcastle.

I’d do exactly the same as him if I’m honest, I’d want a pay off otherwise I’d run the contract all the way down.

His next contract is probably going to be only a third of the value of his present one, why rush into it.

He may have the iQ of a cornflake and know his earning options are very limited after he retires.

Then again, he might look at Clinton Morrison and feel hope!