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CanningTownWA 10:12 Sun Feb 25
Defoe Transfer Request Regret

Article in the Times today, he says his one regret was putting in that transfer request immediately after getting relegated.

southbankbornnbred 1:20 Wed Feb 28
Re: Defoe Transfer Request Regret

I'm not trying to 'clear' Defoe for demanding the transfer the day after relegation.

But.

West Ham's 'managerial' capacity at that point in history was absolutely diabolical. Terry Brown in charge of the club as chairman, an incapable board and senior management team, and Glenn Roeder at the helm on the football side.

I would not have trusted one of them to properly manage the talented younger players both through that relegation (which should never have happened) and the aftermath. Does anybody honestly think Defoe was well advised by the club at the time? Brown wanted to cash in on everything that moved - no better example being that he said Johnson was not up for sale that summer and then sold him just weeks later (after many had renewed their season tickets).

Roeder should never have been manager, of course. But even at the point of relegation (when Roeder was ill, of course), there was nobody who took the younger players to one side and guided them through it all. Brooking was temporarily in charge, but knew he wasn't going to be the long-term manager, so wasn't focused on the longer-term issues - and had no experience of off-field player management (much as we love Trevor, nobody should pretend that he had that sort of experience or capacity at that point).

The club was a shitshow when this all happened. Defoe's behaviour - and the advice he received from his agent etc - was extremely poor, there's no escaping that. But it all smacked of the sort of lack of managerial ability and leadership that had led to us to relegation in the first place.

From what I understand, Brooking did what he could to keep Defoe but knew that he wasn't going to be the manager for long so it was all papering over very large cracks.

wansteadman 9:44 Wed Feb 28
Re: Defoe Transfer Request Regret

I thought Defoe and kanoute would turn into a great front two for us. Never really happened

Hello Mrs. Jones 6:20 Wed Feb 28
Re: Defoe Transfer Request Regret

I will never forgive him, Ince or Scaloni. Fuck 'em all.

RBshorty 5:42 Mon Feb 26
Re: Defoe Transfer Request Regret

Fuck him. And the horse he rode off on. Still trying to look like a victim.

Manuel 5:40 Mon Feb 26
Re: Defoe Transfer Request Regret

I like Defoe, seems like a good bloke, great player and a proper ladies man. Couldn't give a fuck what 'happened' a quarter of a century ago.

Far Cough 5:34 Mon Feb 26
Re: Defoe Transfer Request Regret

A twat for submitting a transfer request almost immediately after we were relegated but atoned for it by taking young Bradley under his wing.

BubblesCyprus 5:20 Mon Feb 26
Re: Defoe Transfer Request Regret

Maybe he has grown up a bit but he shat on us at the time worse than Ince IMO

Lee Trundle 5:09 Mon Feb 26
Re: Defoe Transfer Request Regret

Most people are seen as a grown up aged 18/19.

scott_d 5:07 Mon Feb 26
Re: Defoe Transfer Request Regret

Comes across allot different now as he did when it happened.

But people grow up and he was 18/19 when it happened.

I've got no issue with him now.

Come On You Irons 4:58 Mon Feb 26
Re: Defoe Transfer Request Regret

Defoe always comes across to me as a decent fella. Down to Earth and doesn't seem to be a bling/ego merchant unlike so many modern players.

Godwinson 4:17 Mon Feb 26
Re: Defoe Transfer Request Regret

Trundle, it was over 20 years ago, and he has regretted it ever since.

It's a long time to be bitter.

Lee Trundle 3:39 Mon Feb 26
Re: Defoe Transfer Request Regret

"Can't understand why anyone would still have any bitterness towards him."

Because he treated the club, and the fans, terribly after we got relegated.

I get that for Spurs he was great, and what he did with that Sunderland kid was great. But he was anything but a decent person for us.

Tomshardware 2:53 Mon Feb 26
Re: Defoe Transfer Request Regret

Can't understand why anyone would still have any bitterness towards him. Always comes across as a decent intelligent bloke. Was also a brilliant player, clinical finisher.

Russ of the BML 1:41 Mon Feb 26
Re: Defoe Transfer Request Regret

I don't have an issue with him about this. I did at the time, but not now.

He was young and ambitious. West Ham couldn't offer him what he wanted and needed at that time. His agent badly advised him and you have to remember these players live in a bubble and its all about them. They have to forget the loyal and sentimental stuff.

He had to get out. He handled it very badly but I don't begrudge him a move away.

Pav BML 1:32 Mon Feb 26
Re: Defoe Transfer Request Regret

Was a fair while back now but he took the piss and celebrated madly in front of us every time he scored for spurs. loved him missing that last min pen against us. Felt like convenient timing the first time he apologised about it when we were linked with signing him when he was past it

Dick Shaftsbury 1:23 Mon Feb 26
Re: Defoe Transfer Request Regret

I saw him at a wake around 2013. The funeral was for an old youth team coach from West Ham who has passed away.

Had a lot more respect for him after that.

Lee Trundle 12:30 Mon Feb 26
Re: Defoe Transfer Request Regret

It was a dreadful time to be a supporter of the club, and he only made it worse.

Fuck him.

PwoperNaughtyButNot 12:29 Mon Feb 26
Re: Defoe Transfer Request Regret

Maybe we could get over it too?

Ron Eff 12:02 Mon Feb 26
Re: Defoe Transfer Request Regret

I always thought there were a number of times we could and should have brought him back, but there was too much worry for all parties how it would be received.

On The Ball 11:48 Sun Feb 25
Re: Defoe Transfer Request Regret

Has shown contrition for a good number of years which I've always respected. Compare that to Lampard who has a habit of doubling-down and saying something else.

The Bradley Lowry stuff was lovely. He could have just had his picture taken with him like they all do, but he clearly gave a shit about him. He gave that poor kid some joy in an otherwise not great life.

J.Riddle 11:43 Sun Feb 25
Re: Defoe Transfer Request Regret

Mad dog, thanks memory not what it was. Defoe submitted a transfer request one day after Roeder relegated us, but was rejected, that's when he forced through a move to the 4 x 2s by getting sent off 3 times and only played 22 out of 34 games. Got the Judy's bit right :-)

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