Duffy's case appears to be a case of bad timing and attitude. I reckon the transfer window and preparing the squad for a step-up from the Championship to the Premiership was not really the best time to go knocking on Wilder's door and ask about a new contract, given that he'd only had one a year ago. Although, I think from Duffy's side, he'd be aware that Wilder had got into the habit of hauling him off after 60 minutes in many games last season, and was probably fearful that he was going to play less and less of a part, so was trying to get a bit more financial security for himself and his family, in the form of a contract extension.
Duffy has got a bit of a track record of lashing out on social media at various things to do with him either not playing or being subbed etc. I don't think Wilder will have appreciated that. Additionally, there's been some stuff previously about him being a bit of a disruptive influence amongst the squad. I imagine Wilder got to the position where, good as Duffy is, it was becoming a hassle having him around the place with his constant bickering and demands. Put another way, I suspect he's a mardy little ....and a pain in the arse to manage.
Now that's o.k. if he's a 24 year old wonder-kid with a high and increasing market value. But for a 34 year old with a falling market value, it's not such an attractive proposition. I thought the words used by Wilder also gave us a clue as to what went on. Wilder said that he wasn't going to be "
dictated to" in terms of contracts. So it seems it was less of a request and more of a demand.
Whatever the reasons anyhow, we've got great memories of his time at our club, and it's probably the best period of his career too. It's a pity it all had to end like this, but at 34 it was going to end shortly in any case, somewhere.
I hope the lad has a good season for Stoke. It's surely too early yet to be saying it's not worked out for him? Where do some of you guys get your sense of timing from? 4 games played, 4 not 40. Stoke sit bottom of the table. I can think of another club who found themselves in that position after 4 league games, yet still got promoted.
