Was watching the NLD highlights again today and I did notice Walker was very animated on the bench after Dele missed his chance.
Perhaps his head has been turned by money and it could be the reason for Tripps coming in the side for the big games, however I definitely don't buy that there has been a major falling out or he is unhappy at the club. He quite simply wouldn't be anywhere near the bench let alone the pitch if that was the case.
If there is an issue, hopefully it gets resolved. If it cant be resolved, as long as he keeps showing passion for the club as he has throughout his time here, then i'll be content. I trust Poch!
TBH I can't blame Walker if he leaves.
He could stay here, get paid less, work harder, not have a guaranteed starting spot, be under the pump from Tripper.
OR
He could go to a 'bigger' club and get paid more to not work as hard and have a guaranteed starting position.
I'd love him to stay and it is a bit of a cop out on his part but you can see why he would have his head turned when he was already in and out of the team.
One of Poch's philosophies is that nobody is too big to sit on the bench. His approach is about building a team that wins games, not catering to individual talents or egos. If Walker feels money is more important then he should be allowed to go and do what he wishes elsewhere.
But my concern is that modern football being what it is, the more we do well the more the big money clubs will sniff round our players and offering them all kinds of money, money that Levy can't or won't compete with. Some will inevitably have their heads turned and I hope it doesn't impinge upon what we are building.
I'm gonna take a positive approach to the 'Kyle Walker wants to leave' rumours ....
The reason the papers are citing this, is 'cos he's been left out of some high profile games... But this time last year, both he AND Rose were being alternated pretty much every week with Trippier and Davies... All four are still here!
But the main factor for his absence might have more to do with Rose
still being out of the team...as I HONESTLY think Poch sees Walker & Rose as a partnership... And (unfortunately for them both) when one is out, the other suffers... It's like substituting a player tactically when another is sent off...
Davies & Trippier work better in a more traditional back 4 (as the last two games have shown) Walker's defending is called upon much more in a 4 than it is as a wing-back, where he can use his pace to attack...
Basically I think tactics and Rose's prolonged absence have dictated how Poch uses Trippier and Walker... With Rose out, I think it's suits Davies/back four more with Trippier opposite him.
If Walker is still missing out as and when Rose comes back, then we might have more of an idea of Poch's longer term plans...
But for now, I ain't panicking....
Besides, did you SEE Walkers reaction when we scored at Palace last week?
There he is... face contorted with sheer joy... leg up on the advertising hoarding to stop his momentum from flying into the Spurs crowd... if you ask me,
that's not the expression of someone who wants out...
this is...