And I COMPLETELY disagree with you.
Lets review a few facts, shall we?
Firstly, how on earth can anyone say that a bid wouldn't have come in for Bailey if we hadn't put him on the transfer list? He was getting very good reviews throughout last season, and was being scouted. I think it almost inevitable that someone would have come in for him regardless. Ron asking him to extend his contract was no more and no less than seeing where his loyalties lay. Bailey made his ambition crystal clear, and placing him on the transfer list was simply acknowledging the obvious.
When we went in for Bailey at Barnet his tactics were almost identical to those he adopted here, and there is no reason to suppose that he would have behaved any differently even if he had signed a longer contract or not been put on the transfer list. To say:
is simplistic. With our limited finances, and need to foster a good team spirit, hanging on to a reluctant Bailey would have been in no ones best interest. We cashed in and shipped out, and quite right to. To summarise:
- Bailey would have gone in this close season regardless.
- I don't think the club did anything materially to accelerate that.
- He has gone, get over it and let's move on.