Seasiders’ Poll

With the transfer deadline quickly approaching, this week’s poll was based on speculation surrounding one of our top players last season…

For the past week, speculation has been the main word muttered by ‘Pool fans and management alike, with numerous rumours about two of our best players in particular.



Shaun Barker is one such player, linked with a move to Leeds in last Sunday’s red-tops, prompting mass-debating (excuse the pun!) across the messageboards for Blackpool FC.



Surely any bid for the player would send Leeds further into financial trouble?



Why would one of our Players Of The Season – indeed, Blackpool Vital’s award winner – want to drop down a division to play for a team in all sorts of trouble when he is assured of a starting place week-in, week-out in The Championship?



Those are just two questions asked by fans these past 5 days, however the important one in this case was;



If you were the gaffer, would you sell Shaun Barker to Leeds?



The results are confusing to say the least – with some possible fixing involved from somewhere (the horror!!!).



2% of you said that you would sell our first choice right-back, no questions asked. One suspects that no ‘Pool fans voted for this option…unless there is some undying hatred for Reggie’s ‘unique’ fashion sense!!



Next, just over a quarter of you said that you wouldn’t sell him, unless the sum of money was ridiculous. A fair choice and incidentally the same view-point that manager Simon Grayson took on the matter when questioned earlier in the week. While he is an integral part of the team at this present moment in time, a substantial bid should have to be considered – as it would for any of the players – because basically, every player has their price.



Next, is where the confusion and Serie A-esque fixing comes in. A massive 34% of voters said they would sell Reggie for a small fee! Either some people had a bit too much lager after the game on Tuesday night, or some Leeds (or other team of course) fans have fixed our poll. Either way, I think this category is now null and void…no-one in their right mind would sell a player of the season for a small sum of money. Well….maybe Agent Simmo. We love you Simmo, keep up the fantastic work!



Finally, 37% of the votes went to not selling him at all, no matter what the price. A fair choice – and one that I voted for myself – because to get rid of Reggie would be like shooting yourself in the foot from close range – very painful and hard to get a replacement straight away!



Truth be told, the tabloid rumours column comes up with all sorts of jibberish – like Grayson contemplating quitting because he hasn’t yet been offered a new contract. In that case, the solution is a simple one…



As Wes Hoolahan once said, and I quote;



‘When will you be signing, Wes?’


‘…when the Chairman gets his cheque book out!!’



That brings us neatly onto this week’s question…



When should Larry be offered a new, proper, contract?



Now.

Wait until January.

Wait until the end of the season.

Don’t, it’s fine as it is.