From 2001 when it was rumoured that Worthy was leaving

Not my words but from a Yahoo Mail list I subscribe to

This special edition of Canary News has been prompted by a story that appeared on the BBC's website last night. In the wake of Peter Shreeves' recent resignation at Sheffield Wednesday, Nigel Worthington was asked if he would be interested.

Not an unreasonable question, perhaps, given his 10 year association with the Owls, but who asked him this question for the BBC? Not a BBC journalist, or a Press Agency reporter... no, it was Lewis Wiltshire - a sports reporter for the EDP!

Now, imagine a conspiracy theory... Lewis must have known that Worthington would be brutally honest (as he always is) if he was asked about his interest in the job. Remember, no one had linked NW to the vacancy, and his name still does not appear on the short lists that are being circulated in Sheffield, but Lewis got a few choice quotes, and sold it to the BBC... Is Lewis a secret Ipswich fan, trying to scupper our season? Well, that's one possibility anyway!

Whatever the truth, the story has exploded - City fans are now questioning the loyalty of the manager. The players must be having similar thoughts. Hardly ideal preparation for a crunch game against the Baggies tomorrow!

Some fans have suggested NW should be replaced ASAP... Ian Crook or Jim Smith seem the fans favourites. Others have pointed out that this is a carbon copy of the tactics Iwan used (remember his interview about Cardiff?), and simply reflects Worthington's desire to cash in on our current lofty position by swinging an extended/improved contract.

In reality, how many of us would not also jump at the chance (if it were offered) to move to another company to do the same job for more money? Yet again, this is an example of the loss of loyalty in the game - but loyalty exists in no other jobs, so why do we expect players and managers to be loyal? The answer is, I think, because WE remain loyal.

Supporters, on the whole, do not flit from team to team. We pick one, usually at an early age, and then stick with it through thick and thin - or thin and thin in City's case! But it is unreasonable to expect the same loyalty from paid professionals. They have to decide what is best for them, their careers and their families. The money will out almost every time!

Posted By: KentonCanary on January 7th 2011 at 10:41:10

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