chapylad wrote:
It`s a bit of a catch 22 here from what I can see.
At the stage of contract negotiations was Jack Walker thought of as being the best thing since Kevin Sinfield or was he rated just reasonably good?
If it were the latter than yes the offer probably fits in with what would be expected at that age.
It is only since he has come into the first team people are raving about him and I can understand the logic in paying him more to keep him here.
So do we throw big money at the start and he is a flop later or do we wait bide our time and offer him slightly above the going rate in the hope he comes good?
For me it is a tough call to make at that time the contract was offered.
I know he is a friend, but to be honest I said and quite a few others he would be a future first teamer back in the under 16's, so not really a surprise. I get your point though and it is valid. But even without proven, if a player has something potential, you don't pay the sort of wages Leeds initially offer, or you don't get the best.
Had he not played this year, I have no doubt he would be going, and think that is exactly why Leeds did play him, rather than a resource need. Those other offers, especially Wire, who have wanted him since 14, would have still been there.