Simon Jordan has not minced his words on talkSPORT this morning, giving a scathing assessment of Ryan Fraser’s decision to reject an extension at Bournemouth at the end of their 2019/20 relegation battle.
As many will know, the 26-year-old winger was due to be out of contract when football returned from lockdown, therefore needed to sign an extension to play.
He refused to sign a deal and was immediately made a free agent when his deal expired at the end of June, leaving Bournemouth without one of their key players at the business end of Eddie Howe’s unsuccessful relegation battle.
Here’s what an outspoken Simon Jordan has had to say about it all, questioning Bruce’s decision to sign what he believes to be a “wretched individual” in Fraser:
“In this instance, there is an expectation on Ryan Fraser,” Jordan said.
“First of all, I don’t understand what Ryan Fraser’s point is by giving this information out. ‘I could have helped you but I couldn’t be bothered to do so’.
“You would have him in the trenches with you, wouldn’t you? You’d have him as a witness for the defence.
“The idea that he couldn’t have helped Bournemouth or Bournemouth couldn’t give him the comfort to ensure he would avoid any injuries for his next opportunity, there is probably something about that sentiment that wraps up the part of football that is unpalatable.
“While you do have to look after yourself, there is a degree of something called integrity and a responsibility and a respect.
“You respected that club when you were getting something from it but now you don’t when it doesn’t suit you.
“I am not saying you should have loyalty beyond the realms of your contract but in exceptional times which we are in now, you need exceptional people.
“If I am Newcastle, I am looking at this wretched individual and thinking when it came to adversity, you didn’t want to stand up.
“I love Stevie Bruce. He is a big mate of mine, he was a manager of mine at Crystal Palace and I am a great supporter of his at Newcastle.
“But I look at this guy’s character and I think: ‘You are a ****’.
“When it comes to a situation where you really need to stand up, are you going to do the same as you did over there?”
He’s not held back, has he!
For context, here’s what Fraser said when defending his decision to leave during yesterday’s press conference at our Benton training base:
“Some lads in the Premier League signed an extension, and fair play to them. But for me, at my age, knowing that this club wanted me, it was just a decision I had to make.
“I got battered for it. Everyone has got their opinions but, at the end of the day, I need to look after myself.
“The worst thing is that I didn’t want them to go down – it would have been a lot easier if they had stayed up. With me playing, without being big headed, I think I would have helped massively.
“I’m not going to sit here and say I wasn’t sad. I was gutted. With the years I had there, coming from League One to the Premier League, it was never how I wanted to end it.”
Let’s hope this can be put aside and that he can now simply prove himself to Steve Bruce and Newcastle fans – both on and off the pitch.
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Gobsh!te
Sharpy17(Quote)
Can’t believe Simon Jordan is surprised that Bruce isn’t bothered about Fraser’s disloyalty. Bruce has spent his entire managing career looking after himself and not giving a flying duck about the clubs he has left in the lurch, just ask Sheffield Wed. Fraser is typical of the modern footballer obviously too thick to keep his mouth shut, the shocking thing is like Michael Owen at the toon he thinks what he did was reasonable. In any other industry he would have been shunned and unable to find work however in the amoral world of football he is welcomed with open arms, absolutely disgusting.
Jarra Mick(Quote)