You can buy skills and ability but you cannot buy attitude.
We have seen it many times now that if you do not buy into Poch's philosophy you are gone. Granted Walker is better than the rest but remember Townsend's hissy fit with the coaches? Gone! Lennon and Ade's attitude? Gone!
Walker was told he was not fit enough to play two games a week. His reaction was throwing his dummy out of his pram. The moment the player thinks he knows more than the manager. Gone!
I believe we wanted him to go and then it was over to Levy to do what he does best and maximise the deal. There is a debate about us selling to a rival but on the flip side to this the fact we are says to me we don't care because of where we are right now. Take City's money away and they go back to the championship side with the odd season in the Prem. We are the 2nd best team in the league built on talent. We don't have the money City have and look where we are.
If Walker is a problem. Then he is now Pep's problem.
Looking at our team. Remember when we bought Trippier? Who would have thought he would end up as the first choice RB with an England cap. That says as much about the player, his attitude and our manager.
One could also argue that what we lose from Walker, mainly pace, we gain in Trippier. No doubt Trippier is the better ball player. In fact, if you look at the stars comparisons there is not much in it. When you also consider Trippier has played less games than Walker that says it is not as bigger loss as some might suggest.
Last season when we got tonked 5-1 away to 10 man Saudi Sportswashing Machine and lost out on second place Poch was angry, very angry and said "This will never happen again". In that game Walker was subbed after 71 mins to Chadli.
A season on and we finish our last game of the season winning away to Hull 7-1. Trippier played in that game and was not subbed.
Of course this is not just about the one player but it shows you how when Poch said it would never happen again it didn't. That's because players are buying into what we are doing and have the right attitude for it. Even at 7-1 in that game in added minutes we were still closing down Hull on the edge of their box.
Finally, Poch said you buy players to train. From that he picks the match day team. That's quite telling really and when you think about it right. No one should walk into a team. No matter who you are you need to earn it.
Walker believe he had the right to play but didn't have the desire to train for it.
Gone!
Hopefully it's all flimflam.
