The Mail Bag
Lescott's silence is defeaning
Comments (35)
Yeah, okay, its been done to death and the whole 'will he/won't he' situation is beginning to wear us all down. But the clearest indication that Lescott wants to beef up his bank balance is borne out of the fact that the player himself has remained silent.
Having returned from a family holiday last week, Lescott has had ample time to give a simple 'yes' or 'no' answer if he sees his future away from L4. But he hasn't, which is leading many to believe that the Cup Final could well have been his last game in an Everton shirt. Some supporters though seem genuinely encouraged that the sale of Lescott, in addition to one or two City squad players coming this way, could be a good thing for Everton.
If the rumours are to be believed, Everton may want to do business somewhere in the region of £20M plus Micah Richards — a player whose form seems to have slumped somewhat in recent seasons. But, with the club's current financial plight, does that mean Everton would automatically have £20M to play with in the transfer market? Probably not.
The rate at which Lescott has improved since his switch from Wolves could well see him as being one of the top defenders in Europe in years to come. How do you put a price on a player who is rock solid in both central defence and left back, and also weighs in with his share of goals? Would he be quoted as being worth £15-20m if he'd been playing for a top four side?
Lescott is badly letting down the fans who have supported him throughout his Everton career by keeping his mouth shut. If he wants to go then so be it. But the continued silence is doing the supporters, the people who pay his wages, no favours whatsoever.
Terry Owen, Posted 03/07/2009 at 10:53:00
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Terry’s talking rubbish, silence is EXACTLY what Lescott should be doing right now. He’s a professional footballer, he’s happy at Everton and looking to spend a long time here, but if the club decided they’d rather have £20M+ Micah Richards (or whatever the deal would be) he’d then be in a position to double his wages and potentially be part of ’the next Chelsea’ and play in a team signing world-class stars from all over Europe.
It's not his place to say anything at the moment, he’s supposed to stay silent while the two clubs sort out what they want.
As for the second paragraph, I quite enjoy the transfer blather, and absolutely love the idea that the club floats rumours to gauge opinion on the internet! That never even occurred to me.
The whole Rooney debacle ensured that I have a pretty blase attitude to this sort of thing nowadays. Those who want to play for the club and strive for success with us, climb on board... if they don’t, then they are not worth having. Joleon Lescott has given no indication to say he wants to go, so let's wait and see what happens before he gets condemned by people.
I know articles and stuff are posted but a lot of what is said is in relation to those rumours..... BS or NOT BS, isn’t that what this site is for (at least in part)?
And to add my penny’s worth to the Lescott saga.... he doesn’t have to say squat BUT he could equally say he ain’t going anywhere... now THAT would be nice to hear! I don’t see how any amount of money would help us replace him... he’s just too good to allow to leave.
Let’s see...
As its been a full 15 minutes since the last Get Bill post the latest another juicy morsel in that long running saga must be overdue.
Too many breakfast crumbs have caused some keys to stick.
I am now a complete cynic, I don't buy loyalty, and if I was Roger, Mikky, Jack, Tim et al. !!!!
Should I leave or will my Manager sell me anyway? He could use the money and he has somebody who can pass the ball developing quite nicely. He might think it wise to use the money for areas of genuine weakness in need of investment.
If Lescott goes to City, he may find, with their new attackers, he gets a lot less cover from their more attacking formation and he’s far more exposed. He’s also then fitting into a new system and may find his form suffers as a result. This could mean no World Cup place. Dunne was City’s player of the season two seasons running but, once Hughes switched to a more attacking formation, he got found wanting. Lescott is obviously better than Dunne but is he really willing to take the risk in World Cup year? I imagine Moyes has made this very clear to him.
They paid £12M for Bellamy the bellend, and think they can get Lescott for £15M or £10M and Richards?
If he went, who would replace him? Rodwell is not ready yet to play center half at the top level, although I’ve no doubt he will be a great defender. Look at Micah Richards at City. Strong and quick, he was thrust into the first team for club and country as the next big thing. The Sky 4 were clambering to pay £20-30 million for him.
Yet when people took a closer look they realised he still had a hell of a lot to learn. His concentration has seen him caught ball watching too many times and he’s now in the U-21s and talked about as a makeweight in a £15M deal. That’s the difference with Moyes nurturing Rodwell, this man-management will develop him into a far better player.
I would have Richards at Everton (better RB than Tony Jibit) as Moyes would bring out the best in him, but I think any club with ambition should never sell their better players to their rivals, especially when there isn’t a ready made replacement in place straight away.
If a Spanish guy can do that time after time then surely an Englishman can? The fact that he hasn't says it all to me, he wants to leave.
Are you both for real?
First of all Michael. How is the whole Lescott transfer nothing more than speculation? Are you not aware City made a firm enquiry for him in January?
As for making personal rules, you’re talking absolute shite. There are loads of supporters out there who are desperate to know exactly what Lescott’s thoughts on the situation are. If you’re not bothered then fine, you don’t need to piss on everyone else’s bonfire.
Oh and as for that nonsense about Owen at the end — that’s just plain weird.
Mike Allison — do you know for a fact that Lescott wants to stay?
No. Obviously you don’t. If you’re going to post something as fact at the very least you should back it up with something concrete rather than just leave it to guess work.
It’s like the guy in last couple of days who was frothing at the keyboard due to the lack of a complete and unequivocal dismissal by Jolean Lescott of his transfer rumour. Come again?!! What is needed is for supporters to focus their energy somewhere productive and not descend into tabloid-inspired madness.
I think he was talking about you!
Michael Kenrick — it's not all speculation. They've stated their desire to sign Lescott and correct me if I'm wrong but they've made a bid too. Lescott should respond even if it is speculation, just to put his loyal fans' minds at rest.
Mike Allison — why should Lescott be silent? Why isn't it his place to say anything? I don't understand your logic here as the whole transfer rests on Lescott's shoulders — not the club's. We have said he is not for sale. Now if Lescott tells the club he wants to leave then we will sell. If he says he wants to say then the matter is closed cos Moyes has said he is not for sale. The only way he will leave is if he forces his way out.
Unless Lescott is living under a rock he will know the worry and anxiety this saga is causing for Evertonians. If he wants to stay then he has to just come out and say it (Mikel Arteta does it every single time bar none — even when it's just speculation.)
If Lescott wants to go then he should say so, so we can sell him now. If he wants to stay then he should say so now, so we can stop worrying.
And it's not as if Lescott has to go out of his way to speak to the press. The press have spoken to him about the subject but he refused to give a clear comment. if he wanted to stay, he would have just said there and then "I'm aware of City's interest and I'm flattered but I'm happy at Everton."
I think Lescott will go, but I wouldn’t want to bet my life savings on that or any other rumour or so called fact. Some of what Terry says may be a little over the top, but I think some of the posts here are a little harsh!
Take this for example: "Unless Lescott is living under a rock he will know the worry and anxiety this saga is causing for Evertonians." ...
I’m sorry but I’m laughing so much, I just spilt coffee all over my keyboard. Are you really serious? That is utterly pathetic.
He’s a professional footballer under contract to EFC. Your picture of him is very sweet but just doesn’t seem to resonate with the harsh reality of life in the Premier League.
Your message is full of too many presumptions to be worth challenging but this pretty much sums it all up: "If Lescott wants to go then he should say so, so we can sell him now. If he wants to stay then he should say so now, so we can stop worrying."
And Terry Owen uses "me, me, me" as his response?!?! It’s not all about YOU! What was that about planets?
You clearly have a serious problem with people having an opinion that doesn’t fit in with your own narrow minded agenda. And to claim someone’s opinion is pathetic because you don’t agree is pathetic in itself.
And yes Michael, you DO come across as being all about me me me and rather poorly informed on matters relating to EFC in general.
Try sticking to the facts before your start constructing one of your poorly thought out replies. To suggest Lescott’s possible move to City ’is just speculation’ is, as you say, pathetic.
Cheers!
If I were Lescott, I would like to put the fans' minds at rest just like Arteta has done over the years. I don't see what is so pathetic about that.
Neither do I see what is so pathetic about Lescott saying he wants to go so we can sell him, or Lescott saying he wants to stay so we can stop worrying.
That makes perfect sense to me. This saga is dragging on and we are in limbo, we do no know what is gonna happen until Lescott opens his mouth. So i think it makes perfect sense for Lescott to finally put an end to this by speaking so that we can either:
1) sell him; or
2) stop worrying.
What right have the fans got to dictate what the players should or shoudl not say to the press?
Should Cahill also come out and say the same after the dubious press are saying ManUre are interested in him?
Because Arteta is injured the press have come out with another bullshit story.
Did you see the "article" a few days ago apart Sparky maybe priced out of the deal and is only willing to go to £15m, not one quote was given and not one source mentioned. It’s madness from teh papers and we are all being sucked in, I say all I don’t give it the time of day, I read it, laugh and then turn the page.
What exactly are we being sucked in by? Manchester City are interested in buying Joleon Lescott. This is a FACT.
As for ’dicatating’ to the players, what does that mean?
Are you saying you’re not interested in what’s going through Lescott’s mind?
No one is going to force him to talk but I for one would like to know if he’s interested in going or not.
As is often the case on TW, the conspiracy theorists are out in force on this one.
Apparently ’we’re all being sucked in’ by transfer rumours - except this one happens to be true.
I really do wish people would stick to the facts on here rather than twists things to suit their own viewpoint.
As I said that lazy piece about the £20 millions pounds pricing out Sparky, there was no mention of a source and not one direct "quote", ergo people flapping about it are being "sucked in" by the papers.
Yes I would be interested to know his thought but I wouldn’t dare say that he is letting the fans down by quietly going about his job, like the other 25 in the squad. It’s a pity Shandy Andy didn’t do the same.
Do you realise how ironic it is that you say people should deal with facts when this whole piece is about transfer speculation and rumours?
Spouting your opinion here, which is all both you and I are doing, is be definition a ’me’ thing -- for both of us. That said, demanding responses from players just to placate your own agenda as a fan is quite definitely a YOU thing.
My opinion is that your demand is unreasonable... no, actually that’s not true... I really think it’s pathetic. Sorry that seems to upset you so much but there you are, that’s my opinion.
Now... about this FACT you keep spouting... the only FACT I am aware of is that there have been a shitload of rumours in the papers and elsewhere. You seem to think what those rumours are conveying is also FACT. But that’s the whole problem here, isn’t it? And you’re the one blathering about conspiracy theories!!!
You seem to have become highly agitated and verging on personally abusive because someone dares to challenge your feintly ridiculous need to know exactly what your hero player is thinking.
Now that is sad. If he goes, he goes; if he stays, he stays. And you’re not going to know the facts either way until it happens... or doesn’t happen. Go get yerself a drink and let’s have no more of this silliness!
That’s the salient point here — YOU ARE NOT LESCOTT! The fact that he has said nothing meaningful suggests (a) that Lescott does not think at all like you do, and/or (b) that he cares not one jot about placating the fevered brows of panic-striken Evertonians. (There are probably a host more possible explanations too...) Otherwise, as you claim, he perhaps might have said something... I seriously doubt that, though.
"This saga is dragging on and we are in limbo, we do no know what is gonna happen until Lescott opens his mouth."
In limbo!?! — it’s the fricking close season... of course we’re in limbo! Other than that, how is this uncertainty actually affecting anything? Only your vicarious FM experience as Everton manager.
And I would not expect your second statement to be correct either: the uncertainty will in all likelihood be resolved without Lescott opening his mouth in the way you demand. I don’t like to make predictions because I could of course be wrong. But I would be very, very surprised if your desire for him to spill the beans is satiated. So don’t hold your breath.
Enough of this nonsense, it’s a beautiful warm summer’s evening and I’m off out now, and I won’t be back ’til late. Enjoy!!!
Yes. Lescott could come out as Mikel Arteta did and say "It's all paper talk, I’m staying put", but perhaps Lescott, Everton and/or City are kind of in a state of limbo at the moment which means nothing can actually be said.
If we are to believe what we read, City have tested the water with an unacceptable bid for Lescott. If this is the case then maybe everything is on hold waiting for an improved bid, despite City’s claims that they will not go any higher. So maybe Lescott wants to go to City and double his money. If this is the case then he would be a little foolish to come out now and say "I want to leave" because at the moment, Everton won’t let him leave at the price quoted.
If this is the case, then he’s not going to come out and say "I’m staying put" either because he could end up (as others have in the past) looking a little stupid when he actually ends up going. I’m sure if Lescott’s mind was 100% made up and he was staying at Goodison, there’s a good chance we’d know about it by now. I think its ’play it by ear’ time for Lescott at the moment.
Of course this is all speculation anyway, I’m just giving one possible scenario to go with the other 250 already out there! Lescott needs to look after number one and in the current situation I would expect the best way to do that would be to keep quiet until this situation either disappears completely or something comes of it all.
I like every other Evertonian would like this one cleared up sooner rather than later, just as I’d like 5 or 6 new signings to calm my summer time nerves, but face it, that’s just not the Everton way unfortunately.
You go on about me wanting to know what Lescott is thinking (perfectly reasonable in my book) is ’pathetic’ before going on about being on the verge of personal abuse?!
You really need to start respecting other people’s opinions rather than just replying with the usual ’it’s all speculation, it’s all bollocks etc etc.’
Considering you don’t have any connection to the inner workings of EFC, it's not really your place to say if it’s a load of bollocks or not. If that’s your opinion then fine, but to go on the attack (the Michael Owen thread being a fine example) mouthing off at people for daring to voice an opinion that doesn’t sit right with you makes you look nothing short of moronic, quite frankly.
Good night and god bless.
The team are back for pre-season in 2 days I am sure there will be discussion (if there hasn't been already) between Moyes and Lescott, plus it will give the scum media a chance to get a few questions at them...
Moyesie proved that three quality centre-halves is the perfect balance for a squad. With Jags missing the first third and possibly not getting back to his best until 2010, how about we bring in Sol Campbell on a free as a cover on a 1-year deal?? Plenty of European experience to.
Terry, I wasn’t saying that I know Lescott wants to stay rather than go to Man City in this particular instance, but it IS obvious that he’s happy at Everton. I mean this in the way that I’m happy in my house but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t buy a bigger one if I won the lottery. There was no claim to inside knowledge on my part, just something straightforward that I don’t think anyone can really disagree with. I’ve seen no evidence of ’unhappiness’ on Lescott’s part.
David, it's not Lescott’s place to say anything for the rather quaint, old fashioned reason that it's up to the clubs to make a decision before the player gets a say. Lescott keeping his mouth shut just seems like a decent bloke doing the right thing to me, the club don’t want to sell him, but might for a silly offer, and he’ll probably be happy either way for different reasons. Like I said, I’m happy in my house and I’d also be happy winning the lottery and moving to a bigger one. It's not a perfect analogy but it does show that there isn’t much for Lescott to say right now.
If I were him, the professional footballer who could be dropped, sacked, injured etc. at any time, I would not be publicly ruling out a move to a doubled contract and the possibility of playing alongside massive stars from around the world.
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Terry, just go the fridge/wine rack, pull out your favourite beverage, take a long draft of it, kick back and chill out. What will be will be. When it comes to transfers, no amount of blather and fretting from the blue faithful makes one iota of difference (unless you subscribe to the highly dubious theory that "floating links like the Owen one and then monitoring web feedback allows the club to sense the mood of the fans... Again, more Total Bollocks, in my humble opinion).