Well, I rated Sam very highly as a footballer. He impressed me from a very early stage in his apprenticeship, I think he is one of the most exciting full backs I have seen, very attack minded.
As a person, I think even higher of him. Always enjoyed talking to him, an extremely polite and pleasant guy, I think he was a superb ambassador for the club and think he had a lot more to give. I spoke to him at various points during his time out with his ankle injury and always admired his attitude, determination and patience throughout that period. He is a popular and well liked team mate amongst his peers.
I feel sorry for him, it's an awful time of year to find yourself out of work I've found myself in that situation three times. They aren't many perminent jobs going at this time of year and in all reality he is going to be looking at a career change.
Is he gutted? I'm not convinced he will be, this has been very drawn out, I think all these boys from Jordan and Callum to Rooney and Ryan are the pessimistic side of realistic. Sam would have seen the writing on the wall. Just extending his apprenticeship, instead of just being offered a development deal, not training with the first team when the other lads did, not playing in the central league, not playing in any regular position (least of all his own) in the SWPL.
I agree with IJN and MM and none of these lads should ever lose perspective of how well they have done and in almost every case have done better than those saying they aren't good enough. I'm disappointed we won't get to see some who grew up, two streets away playing in the first team anytime soon, however I do think he is better off without them and he is their loss.
