Ok then let's just give up right now then. I mean what's the point. I don't know why Poch, Harry, Dele and the rest are still doing here. May as well hand in their notices and follow Walker out the door
We *will* get bids for some of them now - precedent's been set. Remains to be seen how creatively we can tell the rest to f*ck off, however.
@El Guepardo - interesting that you mention infrastructure, management and morals as our markers of superiority over City.
Infrastructure-wise, they've got a training ground as good as ours, if not better (because of the enormous purpose-built youth complex they're building right beside it - we got approval for a grass-covered hotel at Hotspur Way recently and that was apparently a big deal, but City are building a goddamn stadium on their training ground *just* for their young players, iirc).
Manager-wise, we probably have the more talented manager - but City have the world's most decorated manager (apart from Mourinho), a man who has won nearly everything there is to win. Okay, he did it with the most expensive squads and clubs ever, but he still did it. When selling your club to a potential signing, results will probably trump optimism - and, at present, Pep beats Poch in that regard, even as Poch is proving the better manager with each day that he outdoes Pep with 1000 gorillion fewer pounds to spend.
Not sure what you mean by the 'morals' of the club, but I'm assuming it's the old 'build up the slow way' stuff. Firstly, I disagree that it's particularly 'moral' for reasons I've outlined in the Levy thread, and secondly, so what? Players don't sign to be angels - they sign because the club is better placed for success and can pay them more than comparable rivals. City tick both those boxes - ergo, from a player's perspective, they are a better club than us, so nothing to do with going to a 'worse' team.
As for Walker betraying Poch, I really don't think that's how it went down. Poch rotated Walker - Walker didn't like it or the reasons for it - Poch didn't like that Walker was questioning his judgement and authority over team management - Walker was told to get on his bike, and did. That's roughly how I suspect it went down, and coupled with his personal concerns, there was probably little doubt that he wanted a move back up north over other possibilities.
You don't have to be happy about him leaving, mate - never suggested that. But he isn't to blame for the move, and even if he did want it badly enough to ask for it of his own accord, he's given us eight long years - I feel like that's enough loyal service for any player in this day and age.
