by exileinleeds »
11 Aug 2009 22:59
Would that footballers were the Gods we imagine them to be.
He was released by Brentford- on his way to Barnsley (who had at one time at least, been a top-flight club) when he was offered the opportunity to come to Reading. Probably didn't even have to move house- and when you have just lost your £500 a week job, that probably matters.
He was pretty much a bit part player in the glorious 05/06 season. I am not the first to say he was not fit to lace Bobby's boots. But he desperately wanted to be. He is a seriously ambitious man. Driven. Driven to a point where his ambition (or ego) far exceeds his ability. It is a rare comodity.
He got his big break when Convey was injured- and 10 seconds later became a household name. Probably more famous than any Reading player has been ever.
He played out of his skin, in an over-achieving side. That team is unrivalled as being far far, far above the sum of its parts. Stephen Hunts reward- a place in the National squad. He truly has reached the heights he always dreamed he was capable of. Playing for His country and in the EPL.
Then he needed more- a "bigger" club. One that wasn't going to struggle- he had finished "struggling." He was a success- and needed to be part of a successful team...
Maybe a greedy agent was dripping ideas in his head...he is not the brightest- and PR and publicity men are there to appeal to the egos...but he became convinced he is bigger than Reading. He deserves better. Maybe he even believed that we were holding him back. That we were keeping bids from him. We tried to reassure him, gave him a HUGE get out clause- that is how much we need and love and want you. Then, a smaller one perhaps….just to prove we are not holding him back….Honest.
I hope for the sake of HCFC fans, his move back to the Premier League is enough of a boost to his flagging ego for him to return to form. The two clubs are remarkably similar. ‘cept for the obvious- we picked him up and challenged him for free….Hull have just repaid us for how many years wages?
Bye Steve, good luck.