Wheater from the chaff
Gareth Southgate got in a pickle before his Middlesbrough side's Premier League demise.
The Boro boss and ex-Villa captain took exception to Alex McLeish's comments about David Wheater.
An intelligent bloke, Southgate probably knew that McLeish wasn't really trying to unsettle Wheater or destabilise an already destabilised team.
And on further reflection of the context of the remarks, he would maybe accept it was all a bit of fluff really.
McLeish was talking in general terms, and used Wheater as a random example of the obstacles Blues were likely to face during their summer search for centre-halves.
Southgate wasn't happy though: "David Wheater is one that we have no intention of letting go. He is a big part of the future of this football club.
"It was at a fans' forum and we've all said more than we should have at them. I'm sure Alex will regret how it has come out. It doesn't help.
"I haven't had any sort of apology on the phone but there you go. You're a bit looser if you're talking to your fans. I'm sure he might regret saying it, but it's irrelevant."
Wheater himself went all goggle-eyed: "The speculation doesn't unsettle me, it's flattering. I saw £9 million mentioned and I was like, 'Flipping heck!'
"It's madness isn't it? But it doesn't really bother me."
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Colin Tattum - Mail man Colin Tattum’s view of what’s going on at Birmingham City FC.
Have you spoken to Eck about this yet?
If I was Big Eck, I would be fairly displeased with you Colin for reporting comments made at a forum. Surely in future he and many other managers will be a lot more reticent about opening up to fans? If so, I'm afraid you have to take your share of the blame for that and spoiling it for those of us who enjoy the forums.
Zico, I was invited to the forum as a guest. Eck knew I was there, he made reference to me by name during the forum, and I spoke with him afterwards about what he had said. Tom Ross, BRMB and Banks's - the organisers - had no problem with it being reported. Can't see how I'm 'spoiling' anything; if a manager doesn't want to say something particular he won't, whether it's at a fans forum or before a room of journalists.
who cares what southgate thinks, irrelevant little man who was obviously buckling under the pressure when he made those comments.
why should eck apologise? nonsense
who cares what southgate thinks, irrelevant little man who was obviously buckling under the pressure when he made those comments.
why should eck apologise? nonsense
Tatts, Totally agree with your it's ''all a bit of fluff'' comment.
What us fans really want to know is when are we going to get some positive transfer news.
Do you know what Eck's budget is? I think he needs £15M-£20M if we are to have serious designs on staying up. Unfortunately I don't think the Board will back him.
Shame they won't be prepared to spend £8 million on 10 players let alone one isn't it? I bet they are hoping the Burnleys and Stokes and Hulls are worse than us next season. All we ask is for a little more ambition, not £50 million spent. Maybe Karren will donate her newspaper fee to the transfer kitty. As for Southgate, cheer up pal and try and get that nose and horse face shortened
"You're a bit looser if you're talking to your fans"
eh?