By Adam: Are we too quick to turn on our own players?

As the summer approaches, the mystic megs of the media world are starting to gaze into their crystal balls.

To be taken with a big pinch of salt

Most recently, it would appear as though our very own Sandro Tonali is being recognised in the vague mystical swirls.

The next step is to grab a dart from their drawer labelled 'transfer link' and hurl it at a dartboard covered in football club crests. Thus, a transfer rumour is born.

Most football fans will be aware these days that transfer rumours are always to be taken with a pinch of salt. Followed by a quick throw over the shoulder and straight into the bin.

Sandro Tonali is not new to such transfer rumours, with stories coming out about him and/or his now wife, being 'homesick' before he even had time to enjoy his first Wetherspoons chip.

Considering how well Tonali has performed during his time in England, it should be of no surprise that clubs look on enviously at the Italian international strutting his stuff at the heart of our midfield.

Furthermore, not only is Tonali the fresh catch of the day for transfer rumours at the moment, our own fanbase is now questioning his commitment to the club.

With the midfielder contributing a goal and an assist on the international stage last night, despite not being available at the weekend for our derby match.

These two things mixed together, is creating quite the cocktail of negativity from some fans. With some rather unpleasant comments or accusatory remarks being thrown at our very own gladiator.....

Are these negative comments justified? In my opinion.......no.

Tonali has always had transfer rumours surrounding him. Since he arrived, there has been no end of speculation and media gossip about a return to Italy, or a 'big club' coming in for him.

However, aside from this, there's been nothing to suggest he actually wants a move away or is pushing for one. It's simply media gossip.

If we believed this kind of gossip every time, we would have sold Bruno every transfer window.

What we do know for fact, is that Sandro has always given his all for the club, with endless energetic performances covering every blade of grass.

We demand players that try and give it their all, he absolutely falls into that category.

Tonali missing the derby? Nothing in it

The Sunderland game and playing for Italy last night?

In my opinion, absolutely nothing in it.

Going into the Sunderland match, the team would have been expected to give an all out 100% high intensity effort that would have needed everyone to be at their best levels.

Sandro with a knock, wouldn't have been at that level. Howe would have got pelters if he played him and it was obvious he wasn't 100% fit.

We couldn't afford to carry any player in such an important derby game. Unfortunately, nobody in that game really gave those levels of effort......but going into it, it's what would have been needed and expected.

Training for Italy and then playing 4 days later, is entirely different, to the levels that would have been expected for the derby game. I don't think it is anything surprising, or hints at Sandro not wanting to play. 

Comments though, as a result of transfer rumours and the Sunderland/Italy matches, are bordering on already writing Sandro off and packing his bags for him.

Ranging from him being a 'rat' for wanting out of the club, to never being committed to the club since his arrival. Which to me, are completely over the top when he has so far, done nothing to warrant these comments.

Tonali isn't in the Isak 'ratpack'

All he has done is play his best and given all his energy when taking to the field in a Newcastle shirt.

He has done none of the Isak antics seen in the summer and these negative comments are born out of assumptions and rumours.

We have seen similar negative comments aimed at various players, such as Tino, Gordon, Burn, Botman, Elanga, Woltemade...... sometimes, justified.

Such as stating Elanga has underperformed this season, or Burn at left back was poor etc.

But when we are basing negative opinions based on rumours and assumptions based on those rumours, that's where I feel we are far too quick to turn on our own.

Sandro has gone from having his name echoed around the cathedral, nicknamed 'Wor Sandro' and being voted motm by fans on multiple occasions the season.....to now being labelled as a 'rat' by some corners of the fanbase.

All based on rumours and assumptions.

So......are we sometimes too quick to turn on our own players?

By blog member Adam.

What a cracking post from a man who has proven on Ed's original blog and this one that he knows his football.

Always forthright in his opinions Adam has asked a very good question.

Tell the blog what you think in the comment section below.

Have you got something to say?

Member or non-member get it off your chest and send it to nufcblogcom@gmail.com

Last Post: By Barry Paul Henry: Great Expectations

Next Post: By Magscar - Are We There Yet?