by Millsy »
18 Sep 2008 16:13
Royal Lady Well, I'm going to stick up for him a bit here - I know someone who knows him quite well. They used to say he was very arrogant and they didn't care for him much, however, they have told me that he has changed and the change seemed to come about last season. He told this person in the close season that he didn't want to leave, that he really loved it here, but that "someone" (I know who but I'm not going to say) didn't like him and wanted him out.
He said he'd had interest from 3 or 4 clubs in the close season, but nothing came of it.
I have also met him and in the very brief chat that we had he came across as rather more shy than anything else - he was also very witty.
When he was left out of the squad last game, this person tried to contact him, as they thought he was probably off to another club, but he didn't want to talk about it.
I would venture to suggest that he probably was an arrogant idiot up until fairly recently - he probably also carries a bit of a chip on his shoulder. From what I saw of him, I liked him and he surprised me. He didn't have to communicate with me at all, but he did. He knew I knew the other person I am talking about here (if you can understand that) but he was genuinely friendly and not putting on an act.
He's early twenties, he obviously earns more money than many many others of the same age (and older!) and he has found it hard to handle himself in certain situations. There are always "lads" out and about in Reading, who revel in trying to take a "pop" at some of the players and I think Lita has had more than his fair share.
I think his swagger etc has more to do with the fact that he's being what he thinks people perceive him to be, he didn't know how to handle himself and the money situation - but as he's getting older and wiser, he's calming down. He argued with Kitson, I know that for a fact from two different people, but I also know a lot of the other players didn't like Kitson much. Maybe Lita was the only one who told him to his face.
I get really fed up when our players are being knocked all the time, by their own fans. I can only go on what I've seen with my own eyes and what I've heard from someone who has known him fairly well.
Thanks RL very informative.
For the record I'm not slagging him of just posting what I've been told as info.
I suspect it's a case of him being fundamentally a good lad but with an odd quirk that comes to light when drunk or really irked by something.
I'd still love to see him brought back into the fold and starting games, but after recent developments Doyle and Hunt should start I guess.