Harry Winks

[JimJams]

On 06/09/2025 at 08:18, blue army 1988 said:

I don't think you can class what was asked of him as unreasonable 

Being asked is not unreasonable.  Being expected is.

 

Let's say for example his Mrs was suffering from Postpartum depression.  If that were your Mrs, would you stay over at Seagrave?  No, you wouldn't.  You'd be a total ***** to do that.  It doesn't matter if you can afford care or whatever. If you're a husband (partner) and a father, you aren't going to think someone can easily just sub themself in for you when you're not there.  And you aren't doing it because your manager thinks it might get more from you despite the fact you've not had a problem doing it for 18 months.

How does that conversation go?

Ruud says "I want you to stay over 1 night a week, I think it'll be good for you, and we can get another 5 to 10 % out of your performances"

"I disagree, I put my all into every training session, I'm 100% for every game.  It's not been an issue before and I've got priorities at home."

"No, I really think it'd be better for you."

"I don't".

 

That's it.

 

Now we don't know that that's the situation, but why would we know?  Why would anyone outside the Winks household?  But we don't need to know.  The manager made a request for a player to do something he's obviously not contracted to do and he declined.  The players reasons are his own and that should be respected.

If you work a Mon-Fri and your boss says he needs you to start coming in every Saturday because they're struggling to make an order or something (apply it to whatever you do) you might say yes, but it's not even remotely unreasonable to say no is it?  And you shouldn't be vilified for saying no.

 

I mean we don't really know what Winks is like as a person.  So let's say he does have good reasons to go back home.  If it's insisted upon him that he's staying at Seagrave, not being where he wants to be, with his new family, how is that going to affect his mentality?  Is that extra percent that Ruud anticipates getting not just instantly wiped out because he's stressing about the situation?  Or maybe he's not, but he'd obviously not be happy about it, so does that not then knock on his motivation, or his respect for his manager?

 

 

I'm not really arsed about the whole Ruud situation.  I don't think it's anything to do with what we're seeing now.  What I see now is a player that came to us when he was in a bit of limbo, coming to a club that itself was in a similar spot.  He joined a manager who specifically wanted to use him the way he wants to be played.  It went well.  Then the gaffer that played to his strengths left, we're no longer playing in a way that gets the best out of him, we have a shit season, he has a shit season.  He doesn't want to end up in that same limbo he was in, and it looks like us as a club are heading that way ourselves again.  He doesn't want to be part of that again.  He's expecting interest, you'd assume.  He hasn't had it.  Presumably he's been sidelined a bit either because Marti doesn't fancy a 6 to sit back and let two 8's share the defensive work, or because we've all been looking at avenues for him to leave, so he's not been relied upon and nothings come up ultimately.  So he's started the season not getting the move he wants.  But he's also now not first choice.  You could even say Skipp has taken his spot, as he's been getting starts.  That's history repeating itself as this happened at Spurs.  So he didn't get his move, he's not (been) a starter, his head is probably just putting him back in that limbo spot he was at when he was at Spurs.  Now in THIS case, he needs to man the fxxk up and be professional.  There's no excuse for sulking at this.  Worst case scenario if he gets his head on is we have a shit season but he moves on as a free agent at the end of the season.  In January he can assess his future, and that's going to look a lot rosier if he's putting in good performances AS WELL as looking like he wants to play.  If he scores, celebrate.  If a teammate scores, celebrate.  If we concede, or lose, look dejected.  Even if it's all an act.  It's in his best interests.  And expecting THAT is not unreasonable.

[Dames]

33 minutes ago, blue army 1988 said:

I don't think you can class what was asked of him as unreasonable 

If you’re only asking him and no one else with the expectancy of him to agree then it is unreasonable. 
 

22 minutes ago, splinterdream said:

His performances were crap, a manager will do what's necessary to get the best out of a team by managing the individuals, for Winks, he was asked to stay 1 night at seagrave before the game, thats not unreasonable 

Despite how much he’s paid its not in his contract. If its only for him and no one else its unreasonable. As far as i’m aware he was always on time and never missed training or a match when he was picked so hes been fully professional imo. 

[Tommy Fresh]

46 minutes ago, splinterdream said:

But it is if his performances are not up to scratch. If he was playing out of his skin, then fine, but he wasnt 

Was he staying under Enzo? Guessing he wasn't and his performances were fine 

[Chelmofox]

The year is 2028. Farage has just taken to downing street after a hideous election campaign has seen him gain the largest majority ever seen. Trump is about to serve a 3rd term after Russia interference again (Russia is even more powerful now they own 2/3 of what used to be known as Ukraine). In the sport world, Jeremy Monga has left Man CIty to join Barcelona on a £250m deal. A big deal for Man City who secured Monga's services on a free transfer from King Power FC several years before. Of course, King Power FC now languish in the Southern League Premier Division Central league after Club Chairman (John Rudkin) developed an illness call 'player sales psychosis', selling the whole squad over 4 transfer windows but without buying a single player in. Doctors presumed this was a illness formed due to many years of overspend, and the inability to sell Dennis Praet to Torino over several windows.

 

Meanwhile, I'm delighted to report the old fan site Foxes Talk still exists as a place where fans can discuss the now defunct club, and a quick trip there shows the fans are still mostly bothered if Harry Winks was supposed to stay at Nottingham Forest's training ground one day in 2025. Truly inspiring to see they are still really on the pulse about what matters. 

[Vlad the Fox]

He needs to grow up and stop sulking as he can only be reacting to social media criticism because he has faced no animosity in the ground, and as such he should respect those fans that want to support him because if he continues to behave how he is that will soon change. 

[Claridge]

1 hour ago, Tommy Fresh said:

Was he staying under Enzo? Guessing he wasn't and his performances were fine 

He stood outside his house all day pawing at the door

[deejdeej]

Another player who was given a wonderkid tag that seems to hold a grudge he never really made it and still thinks he's better than he is.

[stevostadium]

6 minutes ago, deejdeej said:

Another player who was given a wonderkid tag that seems to hold a grudge he never really made it and still thinks he's better than he is.

Summed up perfectly in one sentence.

[splinterdream]

4 hours ago, Tommy Fresh said:

Was he staying under Enzo? Guessing he wasn't and his performances were fine 

He was living in Nottingham

[Jimmy]

6 hours ago, Dames said:

The reason that Winks ‘has a bad attitude’ is that his manager asked something unreasonable of him and he refused and the club backed the manager in the situation. RVN might be gone now but the bad feelings dont go away.

 

I also say its unreasonable because Winks was singled out for where he lived, if the whole squad was asked then its not unreasonable but only certain people were picked out.

 

Most people on here have had issues at work with managers and had the company backing the manager, you know how crap that feels and its the same here. 

Winks wasn't singled out for where he lived he was singled out because he was the only one that was asked who refused.

 

Also if he had family issues then he should have communicated that to Ruud when they spoke about it, if he was then frozen out he would have a point to be angry if he said nothing then that's on him, bosses can only act with the information they have

Edited 6 September 2025 by Jimmy

[Tommy Fresh]

5 minutes ago, splinterdream said:

He was living in Nottingham

I mean if he was it still doesn't matter to be honest, people just want something to whinge about. As long as he's turning up on time and training fine I'm not arsed in all honesty

[Chrysalis]

To me that whole thing with I miss enzo I cant get over it, it should have been a sackable offence, but due to the value of him as an asset, the clubs hands were tied.  Undermined the manager who actually had a chance of keeping us up. and now he isnt busting a gut for the club in return for his wage packet and professionalism.

[Claridge]

4 hours ago, Tommy Fresh said:

I mean if he was it still doesn't matter to be honest, people just want something to whinge about. As long as he's turning up on time and training fine I'm not arsed in all honesty

but he was playing crap, sure its fine if he is producing the goods , but he wasn't.

[Dahnsouff]

2 minutes ago, Chrysalis said:

To me that whole thing with I miss enzo I cant get over it, it should have been a sackable offence, but due to the value of him as an asset, the clubs hands were tied.  Undermined the manager who actually had a chance of keeping us up. and now he isnt busting a gut for the club in return for his wage packet and professionalism.

Was that even him? Not trying to be funny, just cannot recall the image that well.

[Tommy Fresh]

55 minutes ago, Claridge said:

but he was playing crap, sure its fine if he is producing the goods , but he wasn't.

And trying to get him to stay overnight and then telling everyone about it achieved what exactly? You're assuming him staying would have improved anything

[LeePhilpottsBaldSpot]

1 hour ago, Chrysalis said:

To me that whole thing with I miss enzo I cant get over it, it should have been a sackable offence, but due to the value of him as an asset, the clubs hands were tied.  Undermined the manager who actually had a chance of keeping us up. and now he isnt busting a gut for the club in return for his wage packet and professionalism.

Never understood the pearl clutching over this.

 

Footballers do a lot worse on nights out (eg we didn't sack Jamie Vardy after he racially abused somebody... thank god!).

 

I think the only thing we know for sure is that Winks was part of a group where somebody held up a sign. It may have been him but I'm not sure if that's ever been confirmed.

 

In terms of undermining management, wasn't this during the interim period between Cooper and RVN? 

 

Even if not - I still have a good relationship with people I used to work for/with. Similarly, if somebody I manage said they liked their old boss I wouldn't sack them 

Edited 6 September 2025 by LeePhilpottsBaldSpot

[Claridge]

14 minutes ago, Tommy Fresh said:

And trying to get him to stay overnight and then telling everyone about it achieved what exactly? You're assuming him staying would have improved anything

you are assuming it wouldnt but he still playing crap so something needed doing and he wouldn’t make the effort it seems

[Tommy Fresh]

28 minutes ago, Claridge said:

you are assuming it wouldnt but he still playing crap so something needed doing and he wouldn’t make the effort it seems

Based on the fact he didn't want to, had he reluctantly done it, I highly doubt it would have improved him,  he'd look more mardy then he does now

[honeybradger]

22 minutes ago, Tommy Fresh said:

Based on the fact he didn't want to, had he reluctantly done it, I highly doubt it would have improved him,  he'd look more mardy then he does now

So then surely freezing him out is the right choice if there are no avenues to get him to perform.

[Tommy Fresh]

2 minutes ago, honeybradger said:

So then surely freezing him out is the right choice if there are no avenues to get him to perform.

Not having two of the worst managers I've ever seen last season may have helped. I'm also not on about whether we should or shouldn't bin him off.

[GorlestonFox]

On 06/09/2025 at 08:53, JimJams said:

Being asked is not unreasonable.  Being expected is.

 

Let's say for example his Mrs was suffering from Postpartum depression.  If that were your Mrs, would you stay over at Seagrave?  No, you wouldn't.  You'd be a total ***** to do that.  It doesn't matter if you can afford care or whatever. If you're a husband (partner) and a father, you aren't going to think someone can easily just sub themself in for you when you're not there.  And you aren't doing it because your manager thinks it might get more from you despite the fact you've not had a problem doing it for 18 months.

How does that conversation go?

Ruud says "I want you to stay over 1 night a week, I think it'll be good for you, and we can get another 5 to 10 % out of your performances"

"I disagree, I put my all into every training session, I'm 100% for every game.  It's not been an issue before and I've got priorities at home."

"No, I really think it'd be better for you."

"I don't".

 

That's it.

 

Now we don't know that that's the situation, but why would we know?  Why would anyone outside the Winks household?  But we don't need to know.  The manager made a request for a player to do something he's obviously not contracted to do and he declined.  The players reasons are his own and that should be respected.

If you work a Mon-Fri and your boss says he needs you to start coming in every Saturday because they're struggling to make an order or something (apply it to whatever you do) you might say yes, but it's not even remotely unreasonable to say no is it?  And you shouldn't be vilified for saying no.

 

I mean we don't really know what Winks is like as a person.  So let's say he does have good reasons to go back home.  If it's insisted upon him that he's staying at Seagrave, not being where he wants to be, with his new family, how is that going to affect his mentality?  Is that extra percent that Ruud anticipates getting not just instantly wiped out because he's stressing about the situation?  Or maybe he's not, but he'd obviously not be happy about it, so does that not then knock on his motivation, or his respect for his manager?

 

 

I'm not really arsed about the whole Ruud situation.  I don't think it's anything to do with what we're seeing now.  What I see now is a player that came to us when he was in a bit of limbo, coming to a club that itself was in a similar spot.  He joined a manager who specifically wanted to use him the way he wants to be played.  It went well.  Then the gaffer that played to his strengths left, we're no longer playing in a way that gets the best out of him, we have a shit season, he has a shit season.  He doesn't want to end up in that same limbo he was in, and it looks like us as a club are heading that way ourselves again.  He doesn't want to be part of that again.  He's expecting interest, you'd assume.  He hasn't had it.  Presumably he's been sidelined a bit either because Marti doesn't fancy a 6 to sit back and let two 8's share the defensive work, or because we've all been looking at avenues for him to leave, so he's not been relied upon and nothings come up ultimately.  So he's started the season not getting the move he wants.  But he's also now not first choice.  You could even say Skipp has taken his spot, as he's been getting starts.  That's history repeating itself as this happened at Spurs.  So he didn't get his move, he's not (been) a starter, his head is probably just putting him back in that limbo spot he was at when he was at Spurs.  Now in THIS case, he needs to man the fxxk up and be professional.  There's no excuse for sulking at this.  Worst case scenario if he gets his head on is we have a shit season but he moves on as a free agent at the end of the season.  In January he can assess his future, and that's going to look a lot rosier if he's putting in good performances AS WELL as looking like he wants to play.  If he scores, celebrate.  If a teammate scores, celebrate.  If we concede, or lose, look dejected.  Even if it's all an act.  It's in his best interests.  And expecting THAT is not unreasonable.

Thanks Mrs Winks 

[MPH]

13 hours ago, Chelmofox said:

The year is 2028. Farage has just taken to downing street after a hideous election campaign has seen him gain the largest majority ever seen. Trump is about to serve a 3rd term after Russia interference again (Russia is even more powerful now they own 2/3 of what used to be known as Ukraine). In the sport world, Jeremy Monga has left Man CIty to join Barcelona on a £250m deal. A big deal for Man City who secured Monga's services on a free transfer from King Power FC several years before. Of course, King Power FC now languish in the Southern League Premier Division Central league after Club Chairman (John Rudkin) developed an illness call 'player sales psychosis', selling the whole squad over 4 transfer windows but without buying a single player in. Doctors presumed this was a illness formed due to many years of overspend, and the inability to sell Dennis Praet to Torino over several windows.

 

Meanwhile, I'm delighted to report the old fan site Foxes Talk still exists as a place where fans can discuss the now defunct club, and a quick trip there shows the fans are still mostly bothered if Harry Winks was supposed to stay at Nottingham Forest's training ground one day in 2025. Truly inspiring to see they are still really on the pulse about what matters. 

 

sorry to be a boblet but it would be impossible for Trump to serve a third term. It’s against the American constitution and to change the constitution he would need at least half of the democrats to vote for him aswell as all republicans..

[Chelmofox]

11 minutes ago, MPH said:

 

sorry to be a boblet but it would be impossible for Trump to serve a third term. It’s against the American constitution and to change the constitution he would need at least half of the democrats to vote for him aswell as all republicans..

 So everything else i wrote is entirely feasible?

[Big_Nige]

12 hours ago, Chrysalis said:

To me that whole thing with I miss enzo I cant get over it, it should have been a sackable offence, but due to the value of him as an asset, the clubs hands were tied.  Undermined the manager who actually had a chance of keeping us up. and now he isnt busting a gut for the club in return for his wage packet and professionalism.

Did he write that sign then? 
 

The only thing you’re going off is the video. He’s not the only player there, not the only one with his phone out, and not the only one laughing yet the Foxestalk Kangaroo Court was out straight away as per

 

 

[Donwebbio]

It would have been an easy deal to do for a Premier league London club: cover his remaining book value and £50k a week and he could have walked to a Brentford or Fulham. The fact that he didn't tells me what was evident last year - he isn't good enough for the Premier League anymore. The game has moved on with clubs enjoying physical powerhouses in the base of midfields. Spurs saw us coming with this guy and Skipp. Slow, small, one dimensional footballers.

 

He will wind down his handsome contract with us and then go to a London-based championship team on a much lower wages or maybe Italy where the game is slower. Whether or not he held up a sign or downed tools for Cooper, one thing is clear, since Marti came in his attitude and demeanor has been poor and he has been angling for a move which is why he hasn't played much.

Edited 7 September 2025 by Donwebbio