January 13 2005

Wayne Routledge

Iain Dowie admirer and Oldham Athletic supporter with a vengeance, Gill Nuttall, gives her views on the Wayne Routledge affair.

I can't quite get my head around the loyalty side of things in the Wayne Routledge contract situation.

It seems to me that footballers want the best of all worlds and, in my opinion, few of them really get it right.

When they are kids and have been brought through the club to the position that Wayne is in now, they really ought to value the lessons they have learned, the care that has been taken of them.

He is only a baby and, whilst I understand the lure of what he may perceive to be a bigger club, may be enticing, he ought to take a deep breath and think again.

He is under the wing of Iain Dowie, one of the brightest young managers in football - full stop.

He has plenty of time ahead of him to make an upwards step - why not show some loyalty to the club that has looked after him?

I understand once he gets early to mid 20's that he may want to make a move and I would not criticise him or any other player at that point. For me that would be natural progression.

At the other end of the scale are players who are established at a club and maybe towards the middle to end of their playing careers. Why on earth can't they show some loyalty too?

Where are they going late on in their playing life?

That annoys me more than the youngsters really! Youngsters can get their heads turned but the older more experienced players? Well in my view, they are "going for the money" which let's face it, they don't need do they?

Again, they should show some loyalty to the club and indeed the fans and stick around.

What encouragement is it to the youngsters if they see other experienced players jumping ship at the drop of a hat?

Further, the agents are parasites and they are ballsing up the game. How on earth are clubs supposed to conduct sensible negotiations with players if there is a greedy agent lurking round the corner?

I realise some players do need looking after - but would the clubs really shaft a player they are anxious to keep?

I know a lot has been said about Iain Dowie and his loyalty to clubs, etc, but as someone who has more involvement at Oldham than some supporters at clubs, I have yet to hear any player say anything untoward about the way he looked after them.

The lads at Oldham adored him, completely.