Zain Westbrooke

[Chris Black come back]

What has happened here? A total of 88 minutes of league football this season. Last put his boots on grass during a league game on 7 September. There was an injury, then recovery, then just disappeared. Rarely makes a league squad but is seemingly not injured. Didn't go out on loan in January. Has another season on his deal after this one but quite a decent wage for an experienced league player to not even be sat on the bench, let alone making a contribution on the pitch. Baffling.

[Super Colin Cramb]

For me the midfield is the weakest part of our team who often get over ran and struggle to keep possession, unless they play it backwards. Westbrooke’s ability to find a forward pass and unlock defences along with his experience and know how is what we are crying out for.

[mpc123]

Fingers crossed we have them for the season in league 1 next year where their tippy tappy together  football suits much much better.

[pib]

I thought Westbrooke was decent at the start of the season, and most of the time last season when he played. It's bizarre that he's completely frozen out. Suggests something must've gone on, or he's not training well.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Yes, bizarre. I watched him play at the base of midfield in the preseason game at Rotherham, where he played well (albeit a friendly) so expected him to be very competitive for that spot.

As said, the injury, then having a child, he seemed to have been given parental leave but then he's virtually disappeared. No evidence of seeing him in training, interviews, community work etc., nor any mention of him being shipped out. Can understand to a point things being kept in house but he's definitely become the invisible man.

[Reg of the Rovers]

As the old adage goes, the best ability is availability. The recent deals to Taylor, Close and Westbrooke are absolutely obscene, and having three senior players unable to play for a five year period is ridiculous mismanagement. A fit Westbrooke could definitely do a job, but sadly it seems there's no such thing as a fit Westbrooke. The lad's got more loyalty points than Paul Mayfield the amount of games he sits and watches.

[DonnyOsmond]

He was on the extended bench against Palace.

[ncRover]

As the old adage goes, the best ability is availability. The recent deals to Taylor, Close and Westbrooke are absolutely obscene, and having three senior players unable to play for a five year period is ridiculous mismanagement. A fit Westbrooke could definitely do a job, but sadly it seems there's no such thing as a fit Westbrooke. The lad's got more loyalty points than Paul Mayfield the amount of games he sits and watches.

He’s not been injured for months Reg.

If something has happened then I can understand. I’d be annoyed if I was a good footballer given a new contract on merit and then the manager went and signed a gazillion other midfielders.

[Bessie Red]

Looking at his Instagram account he seems more interested in promoting residential rentals than forging a career with us!

[DearneValleyRover]

I think the player McCann alluded to not wanting to be here is Westbrooke, there must have been a falling out for him not to feature

[karldew]

I think the player McCann alluded to not wanting to be here is Westbrooke, there must have been a falling out for him not to feature

I’m sure he was with the squad at Morecambe though? Possibly a the replacement if any injuries occurred. If there was any falling out I’m guessing he’d be nowhere near the squad?

A bit of a strange one but think it’s just pecking order. Guessing Close was either behind him or not willing to get splinters in his arse.

[roversdude]

I think the player McCann alluded to not wanting to be here is Westbrooke, there must have been a falling out for him not to feature

I must have missed that when did GM mention someone not wanting to be here please

[DearneValleyRover]

I think the player McCann alluded to not wanting to be here is Westbrooke, there must have been a falling out for him not to feature

I must have missed that when did GM mention someone not wanting to be here please

It was an interview pre Christmas and happened around the time ZW was reported to be back in training.

[roversdude]

Thanks DVR
It’s definitely a strange one with ZW, when he was given time off I was hoping that his wife and kid were ok as it seemed out of the ordinary. Definitely doesn’t seem to fit at the moment

[keyser_soze]

Yes, bizarre. I watched him play at the base of midfield in the preseason game at Rotherham, where he played well (albeit a friendly) so expected him to be very competitive for that spot.

As said, the injury, then having a child, he seemed to have been given parental leave but then he's virtually disappeared. No evidence of seeing him in training, interviews, community work etc., nor any mention of him being shipped out. Can understand to a point things being kept in house but he's definitely become the invisible man.

Spotted him on the matchday vlog at the weekends game playing Fifa with the kids in Donny Dog's kennel and speaking to the prawn sarnies in the East stand.

[Chris Black come back]

Yes, bizarre. I watched him play at the base of midfield in the preseason game at Rotherham, where he played well (albeit a friendly) so expected him to be very competitive for that spot.

As said, the injury, then having a child, he seemed to have been given parental leave but then he's virtually disappeared. No evidence of seeing him in training, interviews, community work etc., nor any mention of him being shipped out. Can understand to a point things being kept in house but he's definitely become the invisible man.

Spotted him on the matchday vlog at the weekends game playing Fifa with the kids in Donny Dog's kennel and speaking to the prawn sarnies in the East stand.

Absolutely damning for him that.

[vaya]

Yes, bizarre. I watched him play at the base of midfield in the preseason game at Rotherham, where he played well (albeit a friendly) so expected him to be very competitive for that spot.

As said, the injury, then having a child, he seemed to have been given parental leave but then he's virtually disappeared. No evidence of seeing him in training, interviews, community work etc., nor any mention of him being shipped out. Can understand to a point things being kept in house but he's definitely become the invisible man.

Spotted him on the matchday vlog at the weekends game playing Fifa with the kids in Donny Dog's kennel and speaking to the prawn sarnies in the East stand.

Some players are happier in that kind of football related environment.
Some of them are a cynical self interested lot who don't enjoy playing much. Or the effort it takes to become a first team player.
We experience yet again the stupidity of awarding contracts to players that haven't passed a fitness test.

Was anybody listening when T.Bramall said we have to manage the budget better?
Certainly nobody mentioned it at the subsequent M.T.O, definitely not the Chief Exec

I think you've mentioned this before.

[BobG]

Would that be you Smyth?

Looks it from here.

BobG

[vaya]

there was no mention at the last M.T.O of how fantastic "managing the budget better" was.

Perhaps it would have been an idea to go down and ask the question then.