Its interesting reading some of the comments on here. Two things were very clear with Mousse and they perhaps shouldn't be confused:
1. Injuries - He suffered injuries pretty much from that first friendly (i think it was Matlock) and there has to be some sympathy for that. He's come back only to get another injury. On the face of it, its very unlucky. But, regardless, he's had a tough time with them and I had conversation recently with a pro rugby player that suffered similar.
Mentally it can destroy a player when the sport is all they've known since they were a kid. To then keep breaking down with Injuries time and time again, its not easy. McBurnie mentioned something similar recently before his latest injury. He said that he was just getting right and then he was sick the night before a game. But there was no way he was missing the game. I don't know what support the players get for the mental health side, but that can be something which should be as important as physio. Especially if a player is without a proper support network in the city.
However, it should be clear that injuries alone aren't a reason to accuse a player of "stealing a wage" or other such phrases.
2. Attitude - There is no doubting that Mousse had a poor attitude to keeping himself in shape. His weight has fluctuated during his time and for that, there is nobody but himself to blame. That can only be attributed to a poor attitude to his diet/ nutrition and/ or gym work.
I know the PT that started working with Mousse just before he left and Mousse put the work in when he needed to. We've also seen the 6 pack pics. That level of commitment in a short space of time can be as frustrating to fans as a player that doesn't ever do anything. Because we know that he can put the work in.
Mousse, under Wilder seemed to thrive with the arm around the shoulder, Wilder knew how to handle him and get the best out of him, if only for short spells. Slav wasn't that sort of manager, he was a coach and perhaps didn't motivate the players the same. Mousse, like many players relies on others to motivate and challenge him.
Sadly for Mousse, by the time Hecky took over, he'd used all of his 9 lives at the club, no chance of making any of the fee back and its ultimately disappointing when we've seen some of his offield antics for him to then just disappear. He's not like some players, who've just not been good enough. Mousse was a talent. He's shown glimpses and cameos. But when Hecky came in, he didn't have the time or the luxury to then have to work with Mousse and get him going. He needed him out of the club so that he could concentrate on the players that had a chance.
I wasn't a big fan of bringing Jebbison back, but its probably more of a gesture than anything else. Jebbison would've benefitted from a full season at Burton. But bringing him back meant that Mousse was gone. In hindsight it was probably more of a "fuck you" to Mousse than a well done to Jebbo.
