Unable To Zip A Purse

Dave Jones has spoken this evening of his disappointment that a private matter wasn't kept in-house and his dsiappointment of a South Wales Echo story over the future of club captain Darren Purse. However, it is likely that the biggest cause of his wrath will be Purse himself for comments made to the newspaper.


Cardiff City have not offered Darren Purse a new contract and were prepared for him to leave the club in January had they found an able replacement. They ran out of time so Darren remains until the end of the season and turned in a man of the match display in the absence of the suspended Gabor Gyepes last Sunday against Swansea but knows Gabor is still likely to return to the side against Derby tomorrow night.


However, reading between the lines, Purse is unahppy that other older players in Mark Kennedy and Riccy Scimeca have already been offered new 1 year deals for next season while he has got nowhere and told the paper, "When I came to the club four years ago it was my dream to lead Cardiff out at the new stadium. Obviously that will not be the case now as nobody has had the decency to even talk to me about my future."

He added, "I think I have been an excellent ambassador for the club as captain. I took it very seriously but I feel let down that nobody has said a word to me. I think I've deserved more than that. In January I was offered a two-and-a-half year contract with Norwich but because Cardiff didn't get another centre-half in I had to stay put. But come July I'm unemployed. Life goes on and I've had some great times at the club. I hope there are more to come because this season has not finished, but it just leaves a sour taste in your mouth when you're still the club captain and not a word is said."

Clearly Darren would love to stay but despite being a great pro, a genuinely nice guy and passionate to the cause, he has been inconsistent, error-prone and lost pace over the last couple of years. He is also a big earner and you have to question whether City want to pay that for someone who would be a squad player at best.

Dave Jones has denied Purse's comments suggesting the player has been spoken with and it is understood he has been made aware no contract offer would be forthcoming in Janiary while the club may review that after the season.

It's clearly an argument neither player, maanger or club need at present but you can see all points of view. I don't think Darren's words will change anything so he's done himself no favours here but let's hope all can put this behind them for now.