We’l agree to differ on that mate, I don’t think we are in a position to be that proud, we are all speculating on the truth, but as I say I think we see an increasing trend of the club and media vilifying players when they want the fans to swallow a departure of a talented player.
Weve needed two left backs since Baines pulled the rug out from under us and retired. We’re heading into a battle now for 40 points, I seen no reason to minimise our quality options. Whatever about our debates on here being polarised, a good manager can man manage players, listen to what they are trying to say and foster a collective. Resukts have thanked since Sep, maybe deal cares about the club and had the right in questioning him, the evidence is there.
Ultimately the mangers remit is to act in the best welfare of Everton football club, does this decision making stronger or weaker, more at risk or less - the winner here is the mangers ego.
and
@GrandOldTeam
Just as a point, for that Chelsea game, Benitez confirmed on the Wednesday in the presser that Digne had trained Tuesday and was in the XI but then on Wednesday had called in sick, basically.
In the Chelsea game, Rondon, Delph and Gray were all missing through illness. Gray it turned out to be COVID. We don't know about the other two.
While I know Digne didn't have COVID, if he was ill, at all, like as in even had any slight symptoms, he would have been told not to go to the training ground by Everton's staff. That's the protocol at the clubs. He would have had to get a PCR and wait at least 12 hours for the results.
Benitez played it very cleverly and very slyly, without even lying. His English isn't bad, but he chose to say "Digne said he was will, and cannot play"
Now, most of us all took that as Digne saying: "Gaffer, I'm sick and I can't play" Which given the feeling over why Digne was dropped played into Benitez's hands didn't it, as loads of fans went 'well Digne's the problem'.
When really, Benitez could easily have been saying: "He said he was ill, [therefore] he cannot play."
So it's all open for debate but back to my point (sorry for the long post) Digne would have been told not to go to the training ground if he was ill at all and there's no way he'd have then been able to travel to London?
I wish I was looking too deeply into this but Benitez is an absolute master of PR, for all his faults. He knows what to say and when to say it. He did it with the Reid thing. Because he knew he'd be able to backtrack on it and say "no, I was just using a club legend as an example" etc. I think he overplayed his hand the other day because he was trying to be a smartarse and maybe the fans booing him on Sunday had finally got to his head.
