I do understand where he is coming from and if, as said above, you look from the 'current' player perspective he is right. If he can get a bid from a Premier team he should be allowed to protect his career by playing at the best possible level he can.
The problem is that the fans are the only ones that still live in the past. I tell all of my friends that despite what modern football does to me, I can't stop loving it and West Brom - It's in the DNA. I played footie from about 5 years old, in the streets, at school, at cubs and scouts and eventually for local teams. As a kid I literally played in the summer from 8 am in the morning until my mum threatened me with spinach if I did not come in and go to bed.
Football Managers, Players, Club Owners and certainly the media have all moved with the times and rub each others backs and make shed loads of money. Which ever player or team is king on the day they worship. Professionals and ex professionals support each other regardless of diving, cheating (same as diving) etc and the media grovels and bows to their hero's.
But fans still presume playing for their club is an honour and something a player should fall on his sword for. We presume once an fan of the club always a fan of the club and we expect to see loyalty returned.
Sadly that has all been and gone.
I wish I could say next year I will support Liverpool because they look good - but I can't, I will go to my grave being an Albion fan even if I might stop being a football fan eventually.
The problem is that the fans are the only ones that still live in the past. I tell all of my friends that despite what modern football does to me, I can't stop loving it and West Brom - It's in the DNA. I played footie from about 5 years old, in the streets, at school, at cubs and scouts and eventually for local teams. As a kid I literally played in the summer from 8 am in the morning until my mum threatened me with spinach if I did not come in and go to bed.
Football Managers, Players, Club Owners and certainly the media have all moved with the times and rub each others backs and make shed loads of money. Which ever player or team is king on the day they worship. Professionals and ex professionals support each other regardless of diving, cheating (same as diving) etc and the media grovels and bows to their hero's.
But fans still presume playing for their club is an honour and something a player should fall on his sword for. We presume once an fan of the club always a fan of the club and we expect to see loyalty returned.
Sadly that has all been and gone.
I wish I could say next year I will support Liverpool because they look good - but I can't, I will go to my grave being an Albion fan even if I might stop being a football fan eventually.