CONFIRMED Jack Rodwell

[Cerberus Blade]

If he could have gone to another club, played and earned £50k a week I doubt he’d have starved. I don’t know the circumstances and the Sunderland documentary might well have been filmed with bias but the choice presented was “leave and we can keep some of the admin staff on”. He chose to stay.

I’ll trust Wilder to judge his character though, he’s worked with him.

I don't blame him for doing that tbh. When these clubs make such deals with players they do so knowing that the club's fortunes could change, for better or worse, in the future. It's the club's responsibility, not the players responsibility, to make sure that any such deals do not jeopardise the future of the club or the people within it. If they didn't do that then sorry...that's the club's problem - not the player's problem. Why should the retaining of admin staff suddenly be his problem because the club hadn't structured the deal properly? That's a form of coercion/emotional blackmail for the club to suggest that. It's a short career and I don't blame him for putting himself first.

 

[Weasel]

If he could have gone to another club, played and earned £50k a week I doubt he’d have starved. I don’t know the circumstances and the Sunderland documentary might well have been filmed with bias but the choice presented was “leave and we can keep some of the admin staff on”. He chose to stay.

I’ll trust Wilder to judge his character though, he’s worked with him.

I get the part of potentially taking a pay cut to go out and seek another club where you will probably get more game time. In that respect I think as a young player, he was badly advised to not try to move on (unless the potential new club wasn't to his taste or not right for personal reasons) as you say its still not a bad screw to be on £50k a week if you are a young player and playing regularly.

The other part I don't agree with. If hes on £70k a week, and he is told that he can take a huge pay cut so that others.an stay on the payroll...well why should he? He's only taking what is contractually promised to him.

I like to think I'm a fair minded man, I give to numerous charities, I do my bit for society and help where I can, but if I was in the same position, and some wealthy club owners were telling me this scenario, I also think I would tell em to get stuffed and keep on taking what I am entitled to in my original contract. It may sound selfish (possibly is) but sod that for a game of soldiers. Within reason, you grab what you can, where you can to look out for yourself and your family.

Would club chairmen be so willing to give up say a third of their salaries? I would suggest not. The fault here lies firmly with the club and the idiots handing out the contracts not JR. The only thing JR may have done wrong is show a lack of professional attitude to play, but I didn't see the documentary so I can't comment on that point. If he did that, then he should be disappointed with himself, if he didn't and he was always professional, then he did nothing wrong and could consider himself to be the scapegoat (athough a very well paid one at that).

 

[Yellarbellyblade]

Don't get this one I'm afraid. Injury prone journeyman who couldn't cut it in the champ at Blackburn or Sunderland. Probably on daft wages as well. Poor signing

Too early to judge that Vw. If he turns out to be poor he won’t play and will be gone in the off season. As for wages I very much doubt he’s on daft figures at this time, now if he was at Hillsborough.............

Anyway aren’t we a team of journeymen? That’s how the song goes

 

[Houston_Blade]

I don't blame him for doing that tbh. When these clubs make such deals with players they do so knowing that the club's fortunes could change, for better or worse, in the future. It's the club's responsibility, not the players responsibility, to make sure that any such deals do not jeopardise the future of the club or the people within it. If they didn't do that then sorry...that's the club's problem - not the player's problem. Why should the retaining of admin staff suddenly be his problem because the club hadn't structured the deal properly? That's a form of coercion/emotional blackmail for the club to suggest that. It's a short career and I don't blame him for putting himself first.

I get the part of potentially taking a pay cut to go out and seek another club where you will probably get more game time. In that respect I think as a young player, he was badly advised to not try to move on (unless the potential new club wasn't to his taste or not right for personal reasons) as you say its still not a bad screw to be on £50k a week if you are a young player and playing regularly.

The other part I don't agree with. If hes on £70k a week, and he is told that he can take a huge pay cut so that others.an stay on the payroll...well why should he? He's only taking what is contractually promised to him.

I like to think I'm a fair minded man, I give to numerous charities, I do my bit for society and help where I can, but if I was in the same position, and some wealthy club owners were telling me this scenario, I also think I would tell em to get stuffed and keep on taking what I am entitled to in my original contract. It may sound selfish (possibly is) but sod that for a game of soldiers. Within reason, you grab what you can, where you can to look out for yourself and your family.

Would club chairmen be so willing to give up say a third of their salaries? I would suggest not. The fault here lies firmly with the club and the idiots handing out the contracts not JR. The only thing JR may have done wrong is show a lack of professional attitude to play, but I didn't see the documentary so I can't comment on that point. If he did that, then he should be disappointed with himself, if he didn't and he was always professional, then he did nothing wrong and could consider himself to be the scapegoat (athough a very well paid one at that).

Don’t get me wrong I wouldn’t take a pay cut on my salary unless it was absolutely necessary but I don’t earn £70k a week and my salary is a bit of a moveable feast.

I have taken less out of the business in the past for a short time in order that others get paid their full amount though and also deferred salary payments so others get paid on time when cash flow has required. I suppose it’s different when it’s people you know and respect.

I completely see his perspective and whilst there’s one school of thought that he should maximise his earnings while he can it’s not really worked for him in the medium term has it?! He’d probably be playing at a PL club now if he’d left Sunderland on relegation and been less selfish.

It’s a reservation I have about him that’s worth highlighting. As I’ve said I don’t know the circumstances so he might have done the right thing, on the face of it it doesn’t appear so though.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Don’t get me wrong I wouldn’t take a pay cut on my salary unless it was absolutely necessary but I don’t earn £70k a week and my salary is a bit of a moveable feast.

I have taken less out of the business in the past for a short time in order that others get paid their full amount though and also deferred salary payments so others get paid on time when cash flow has required. I suppose it’s different when it’s people you know and respect.

I completely see his perspective and whilst there’s one school of thought that he should maximise his earnings while he can it’s not really worked for him in the medium term has it?! He’d probably be playing at a PL club now if he’d left Sunderland on relegation and been less selfish.

It’s a reservation I have about him that’s worth highlighting. As I’ve said I don’t know the circumstances so he might have done the right thing, on the face of it it doesn’t appear so though.

Sorry for your loss Derek. RIP Derek Acorah.69.

 

[BladeInIreland]

He's well within his rights to take the wages promised to him.

If he refused to play or didn't try as has been suggested then I don't support that.

But like Wilder says, two sides to the story.

Although it is a bit odd Wilder would stick up for them given he openly criticised our players who did similar.

 

[GreasyChipBeattie]

Sorry for your loss Derek. RIP Derek Acorah.69.

I just read that his wife said "She's going to miss him forever"
That's a shitty trick isn't it? It looks like owd Derek must have told her he's going to find a reight good hiding place or summat so she can't find him when she joins him on the 'other side'

 

[rompodebailey]

I may be wrong in this, but I seem to recall the reason for him not playing was because Sunderland wanted to avoid either a contract extension or pay hike.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

Seems a sensible sort of signing with some significant upside if everything breaks right. At worst it’s an option if basham pick up an knock or a suspension.

Positives are he’s been here for a month, that shows he’s eager to make this work and must be doing something positive for wilder to keep him around.

interesting to see how he get on - I think most of our summer signings have found it a lot harder than it looks to get past the current starting 11. I think that is a complement to the current squad rather than a indictment of the signings.

Baldock, Stevens and lundstram have shown that even if they don’t look world beaters initially this staff improve player if they work hard enough.

 

[Boxer Blade]

If we have a second half to the season similar to the first (hopefully) it's going to difficult for Rodwell to impress because you would think, other than injuries he won't play so come May it could be a difficult decision to offer him a 1/2 year contract because we may be looking for better players because of another years premier league money, lets hope we win the cup and he plays every match, yeah that could help him!

 

[YES Blade]

Don’t get me wrong I wouldn’t take a pay cut on my salary unless it was absolutely necessary but I don’t earn £70k a week and my salary is a bit of a moveable feast.

I have taken less out of the business in the past for a short time in order that others get paid their full amount though and also deferred salary payments so others get paid on time when cash flow has required. I suppose it’s different when it’s people you know and respect.

I completely see his perspective and whilst there’s one school of thought that he should maximise his earnings while he can it’s not really worked for him in the medium term has it?! He’d probably be playing at a PL club now if he’d left Sunderland on relegation and been less selfish.

It’s a reservation I have about him that’s worth highlighting. As I’ve said I don’t know the circumstances so he might have done the right thing, on the face of it it doesn’t appear so though.

I haven’t watched the Sunderland documentary since it was first released so my memory might not be 100%. Anyway they didn’t go into any details of any offers they made Rodwell, it very much seemed to be that they were trying to sell to Rodwell he could become a free agent and how great it is that he can just sign for who he likes.

If they offered say 50% of his wages owed in a lump sum, you’d think Rodwell might be open to this type of offer, but it just seemed Sunderland wanted rid for nothing so they could bring in a few new players, not to keep non playing staff in a job although this did seem to also be an issue.

The biggest point you are missing here is the billionaire owner Ellis Short. He’s got bored of his toy and wanted out, he’s the one that should be sorting out the mess, not trying to screw over the likes of Rodwell that signed a contract in good faith.

 

[JimmyMuir94]

Played half decent and looked he knew the Sheff United way.

 

[S81Bladesman]

I think one of the biggest worries this season has been cover for Baldock should he get injured. Rodwell should be able to slot in at RCB allowing Bash to cover RWB if needed, he could prove to be a very good signing. Today he looked like he understands the system, he needs match fitness obviously but there’s definitely some talent still in there.

 

[Mouth of the South]

Apart from losing his man for a cross at the start of the second half, I thought he did well and looked at ease with Utd's system. It was especially pleasing to see him bomb-on several times and create overloads down the right.

 

[McGrath]

Apart from losing his man for a cross at the start of the second half, I thought he did well and looked at ease with Utd's system. It was especially pleasing to see him bomb-on several times and create overloads down the right.

That would have been a goal conceded in the Prem. Lets hope if he gets his chance he doesn't switch off like that again

 

[wizadry]

If we play Rodwell in his preferred position of midfield we will see his true qualities. A midfield of him, Besic and Fleck is one i’d really like to see, it would release Fleck even more and we’d be more solid with fresher legs in there.

Having said all that, it would be really hard to drop Norwood or Lunny considering how well they’ve done this season, although they’ve looked a bit leggy recently so it could do them the world of good to have a rest.

My overriding point is, whilst he can cover Bash, i’m not sure why everyone is saying Rodwell is coming in as cover for Basham when he’s by far a better midfielder. Plus, Basham doesn’t need cover, the bloke is an absolute steam engine.

 

[PittsburghBlade]

Pleased for him, hope he can prove his talent and find something close to his old form and we've got a very good player on our hands.

The way he was treated at Sunderland is a disgrace. Only in football do you get made to look the bad guy signing a deal your company has offered you and refusing to leave without any compensation.

 

[sheffielder]

I really want to smash my head against the wall every time I see the idea of Norwood getting dropped for Besic or similar. The way Norwood moves the ball is paramount to how we play and I had hoped this baffoonery was for the Facebook peeps

 

[wizadry]

I really want to smash my head against the wall every time I see the idea of Norwood getting dropped for Besic or similar. The way Norwood moves the ball is paramount to how we play and I had hoped this baffoonery was for the Facebook peeps

Which Bafoon has said Norwood should be dropped for Besic?

 

[sheffielder]

Which Bafoon has said Norwood should be dropped for Besic?

I thought it might have been you, however you dropped Norwood for Rodwell!

 

[Swannyblade]

I really want to smash my head against the wall every time I see the idea of Norwood getting dropped for Besic or similar. The way Norwood moves the ball is paramount to how we play and I had hoped this baffoonery was for the Facebook peeps

100%...if we had a player who can spray long passes and also had the intelligent defensive positioning of Norwood, only then should we consider dropping Ollie.
As it stands, I’d only consider replacing him against teams like Liverpool where we are starved of possession.
Classiest midfielder I’ve seen in the red n white when he’s on his game

 

[Akinbiyi]

If we play Rodwell in his preferred position of midfield we will see his true qualities. A midfield of him, Besic and Fleck is one i’d really like to see, it would release Fleck even more and we’d be more solid with fresher legs in there.

Having said all that, it would be really hard to drop Norwood or Lunny considering how well they’ve done this season, although they’ve looked a bit leggy recently so it could do them the world of good to have a rest.

My overriding point is, whilst he can cover Bash, i’m not sure why everyone is saying Rodwell is coming in as cover for Basham when he’s by far a better midfielder. Plus, Basham doesn’t need cover, the bloke is an absolute steam engine.

He’s not exactly the most technical of players, why would you want him in midfield so badly?

 

[wizadry]

I thought it might have been you, however you dropped Norwood for Rodwell!

100%...if we had a player who can spray long passes and also had the intelligent defensive positioning of Norwood, only then should we consider dropping Ollie.
As it stands, I’d only consider replacing him against teams like Liverpool where we are starved of possession.
Classiest midfielder I’ve seen in the red n white when he’s on his game

I’ll start by saying Norwood is one of my favourite Blades players of all time with how he plays but it’s been evident to me that he’s looked very tired in the last 4 or 5 games and it’s not surprising after the workload him and our whole team go through, I personally think he could do with a little rest when the chance becomes available and the man to come in for him for me would be Rodwell who is a proven Premier league midfielder in that specific role. The people who are saying Norwood shouldn’t be dropped are not taking fatigue or form into it, you don’t just keep playing players until they burn out, that would be stupid.

 

[wizadry]

He’s not exactly the most technical of players, why would you want him in midfield so badly?

That’s where he’s made his career, I think he’s more technical than people make out, don’t forget he’s not played much recently. I just think he’ll be a very good player for us in midfield. It seems I’m in a very small minority.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

Prem experience. Capped for England at youth, U21 and senior levels. Still only 28. Costs us nowt in transfer fees. Presumably desperate for another shot at the big time. Has shown Wilder and Knill enough over a period of time on trial. Offers cover in several positions, including areas where cover is currently thin.

Can’t see the down side to this one, myself. Maybe I’m too easily pleased.

Clapper

 

[Swannyblade]

I’ll start by saying Norwood is one of my favourite Blades players of all time with how he plays but it’s been evident to me that he’s looked very tired in the last 4 or 5 games and it’s not surprising after the workload him and our whole team go through, I personally think he could do with a little rest when the chance becomes available and the man to come in for him for me would be Rodwell who is a proven Premier league midfielder in that specific role. The people who are saying Norwood shouldn’t be dropped are not taking fatigue or form into it, you don’t just keep playing players until they burn out, that would be stupid.

It’s tricky with Norwood because of how integral he is to our style of play and our lack of a similar replacement.
I don’t think his position will be quite as physically tiring as some others, but I can imagine that it’s quite mentally taxing.
A positive is that he plays himself out of bad form - he never hides from the ball or shirks responsibility even when things aren’t coming off for him.
I would have suggested that the games to rest Ollie would have been Man City & Liverpool away but that chance has passed now.
I would consider giving him a break for an away fixture or two, but at the Lane when the onus is on us to do dictate play, we need him in the lineup

 

[wizadry]

It’s tricky with Norwood because of how integral he is to our style of play and our lack of a similar replacement.
I don’t think his position will be quite as physically tiring as some others, but I can imagine that it’s quite mentally taxing.
A positive is that he plays himself out of bad form - he never hides from the ball or shirks responsibility even when things aren’t coming off for him.
I would have suggested that the games to rest Ollie would have been Man City & Liverpool away but that chance has passed now.
I would consider giving him a break for an away fixture or two, but at the Lane when the onus is on us to do dictate play, we need him in the lineup

Brilliant post!

I’m not suggesting we drop him on Friday night but it’s clear that he’s fatigued in either body or mind because he’s not reacting as quickly as he normally does, this allows him to be shut down quicker. It’s all relative. I personally think Rodwell could be Norwoods back up or in time be a mainstay in our midfield, he’s a very clever and strong player.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

It's a low risk gamble.

I think the jury has been out so much on Roswell, because he's never really played regularly anywhere since leaving Everton as a young lad to chase the big bucks.

 

[Swannyblade]

It's a low risk gamble.

I think the jury has been out so much on Roswell, because he's never really played regularly anywhere since leaving Everton as a young lad to chase the big bucks.

Roswell mystery?...the truth is out there...

 

[Charlieblade]

This might be a contrary opinion, but to me, Rodwell looked class In a nothing game. Considering he hasn’t been with the club long, and was not playing In his preferred position, he did better than most new players in his first start for us.
I have a feeling we will be seeing more of him soon. GLTTL