I’ve just come off the phone from an old pro who posed a very interesting question: “Is Winston Reid’s reluctance to sign a new deal linked to the uncertainty surrounding Sam Allardyce’s position?”
It’s a scenario that’s worth considering although all the sounds coming out of the club are that the central defender is determined to study every option available before finally deciding what he wants to do.
He has Europe on his mind and with both Manchester United and Arsenal looking in need of a decent central defender he’s clearly not going to be rushed into putting pen to paper.
However, despite having been offered around £60k a week (and that is the correct figure – not the reported £75k), other issues enter may enter a players mind.
And this former Hammers player said: “Winston’s coming to the end of a deal as is the manager and the defender may be wondering what happens if he signs and a new manager doesn’t fancy him.” Fair point!
Personally, I don’t believe the two positions are linked or that Winston and Sam are joined at the hip. But I reckon it may be an idea to sort future the managerial positions out by offering one year rolling deals.
Top players coming out of contract then know that the boss’ position is as safe as it can get so long as he is doing the business and it makes the pay off cheaper if things do go very wrong.
Meanwhile, the talking goes on!
So, he may not want to sign unless he knows Sam is going to be in place after this season?
On the other hand, he may not want to sign unless he knows Sam will be gone.
Of course, on the third hand this may all be a load of ******** and he might just want even more money than £60k or a move to Manure or the Arse.
yES AND THE FOURTH IS YOU MAY BE RIGHT
Interesting points.
But has it been considered that although I believe Reid to be a very good defender is he good enough to play for the so called big clubs?
They and the arse in particular like their defenders to be ball players and its not enough to be strong in the air and in the tackle but also to be able to play the ball out from the back as well.
In this respect I believe Reid is relatively untested on a regular enough basis at the highest level and Imo this is where the club has been quite cute.
No other club outwith the so called bigger ones will be able to afford reid’s proposed wages and it is uncertain whether these “big” club would be willing to risk them on a player that doesn’t suit their style.
The paper talk is that clubs are waiting untill Reid becomes a free agent before making any bids but I believe it’s purely about the high wages and the financial risk they pose.
It is for this reason that I think Reid and his agents position isn’t as strong as it may appear.
Or it could just be that I’m desperate for the player to stay! COYI
Wouldn’t it be great if both of them didn’t sign? I don’t know about anyone else but I’m sick of hearing about the supposition surrounding why Reid has not signed.If Reid is grandstanding for more money then I say “let him go”.