When Peter Ridsdale, in a fan forum on Monday night, answered supporter questions about the form of Joe Ledley with the comment, "he's playing like he is somewhere else already", the sentiment was understandable.
After all, Joe is the local hero turned bad. His form has been little sort of shocking for a long time, goals have dried up and the influential moments of Joe Ledley this season can be counted on one hand. Joe is struggling with injuries and apparently is in need of a hip operation at some point but he has not played good football for several months, since before the end of last season.
Fans are angered and upset that Joe has refused to take a new double your money contract - his present deal expires next summer and he is free to talk to any club in January - that has been on the table for many months or indicated any outright desire to stay or leave the club while he does appear to be very badly advised by his agent. This, many cite, has contributed to his loss of form to the extent that the £6M once offered by Stoke seems laughable, he doesn't look worth a place in any Premiership squad at present.
Joe has also been criticised at national level by Wales boss John Tosghack and he has lost captaincy of his country. It's a real down spirals for a player who careers was only ever full of highs and ups.
However Risdale's criticisms have not gone unnoticed byt eh playing squad and a public response has come from Mark Hudson, also under fire this season, but club captain who responded with, "We're together ... we have to stick up for players like him ... we take it personally if anyone gets singled out."
Joe is being urged by other players to get the op which would see him out for a while ... there's always a possibility however that would also hijack any hopes of him getting a move in January ... I suspect he secretly craves that now.
However, Joe is a great player and has been a brilliant servant for the club and was a fans' idol. I hope he can turn this around and show us the real Joe Ledley because the one we've been watching for far too logn, whether injured or not, is an imposter. Go show'em Joe!
1 comment:
I think your comments are spot on. Maybe he will do a reverse Sampson and once his facial hair is removed his old form will come back. And who said City fans clutch at straws?!!!
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