I was thinking about the praise and subsequent place on the bench Shearer gave Ranger. Has he even mentioned Xisco once? I think it's perhaps more that the club has accepted defeat on him.
Dunno why I mentioned Keegan really.
I suppose so. I think those comments about Ranger were just in the wake of him signing an extended contract btw.
I can't remember him mentioning Xisco, although I do recall either him or something mentioning the way he "took Xisco to one side with his arm around his shoulder and had a word" in training - maybe suggesting "you're not going to play for the first team this season, but keep working hard in training and for the stiffs and there's a future for you?"
Yeah, maybe so. But why say that to him when he was clearly willing to put even less-proven players on the bench (Ranger, for a massive game at Stoke)? Seems strange to write one player off like that.
My memory is hazy, but was Xisco fully fit then? I'm sure he was just about coming back from injury.
Fully expect to be corrected on that btw, if I am then you're right, it does seem odd.