By Darren Griffiths
It makes me laugh when people have a go at Joe Ledley.
Here is a guy who has played for City more than 250 times. He’s consistently been one of our best players for seasons and suddenly he’s been turned into a villain.
From the outside looking in it can be so black and white. Why hasn’t he signed a new contract?
Why would he? Think of all his mates who have moved on to better things and bigger clubs than us.
Jerome, Ramsey, Earnie, Gabbs, Collins, Loovens, Roger. Even Gunter got a move to the Premiership. Okay so now he’s taken a step back but I bet he doesn’t regret leaving us for one minute. There is a culture of selling at our club and it must get him down.
He must think “when is it my turn?” “When will I get my chance in the Premiership?”
I’m sure he would dearly love to do it with us, but let’s be honest- that’s not going to happen anytime soon.
Fans moan about recent lacklustre performances but as far as I’m concerned form is temporary, class is permanent.
He’s played left back, left-mid, centre-mid and even been used as a makeshift striker on occasions. He has scored some great goals, made some fantastic tackles, sprayed some wonderful passes and always given 100 per cent.
I’m not saying he’s the most talented City player ever. Hell, in terms of technical ability he most probably isn’t even the best in the team now, but he is a fantastic player.
As far as I am concerned he has put in one hell of a shift at Cardiff.
Just because it looks like he will move on does not mean he doesn’t love the club.
If he leaves at the end of the season or earlier then good luck to him. He deserves his move.
We WILL get money for him whatever. It won’t be £6million but it won’t be tuppance either.
For the first time most probably since he made his debut, Joe has found himself on the bench because other players have played so well in his absence.
Jones said it was an easy decision to make because of a hip injury - but would he have played Joe and dropped one of the midfielders who were all outstanding against Derby?
I don’t think so.
But I know this – when Ledley get his chance he will take it. He always responds to a challenge.
We need to back Joe. You can hear the murmurs of discontent around the CCS about him not signing a contract.
It is up to him. All we can do is encourage him to play well in every game until he goes….because if there’s one thing that’s for sure about Cardiff City it’s that there is no one player bigger than the club.
