I suppose it was inevitable that Dean Windass would be not only unhappy at his recent omission from the Hull City side, but that he would seek publicity to do something about it.
Windass is our hero, of course he is. But this week he has tarnished his status, just a little, by complaining via his blog on the ITV website that he isn't getting a game and therefore should consider his options.
That's fine. For what it's worth, I don't believe Deano deserves a place in the starting XI and, with a large lump developing in my throat, I wasn't fussed when the teamsheet for the Everton game revealed he had now been removed from the bench too. He started the Carling Cup tie at Swansea, and scored, but failed to usurp Caleb Folan as far as the manager's thinking for the ineligible Marlon King's replacement for the game against Wigan the following weekend was concerned. He got a run-out in that game, which was already long lost, but hasn't been seen on the pitch since.
The question isn't about Deano's right to feel unloved; it's whether he was right to air his disappointments publicly before having the showdown talks with the manager he mentions. I have no gripe with players expressing a desire to play. I have more of a gripe with them courting publicity for their gripe prior to any clearing of the air with the club.
Deano chose to air his dirty linen in public before discussing his situation with his manager. For all Phil Brown's loyalty to his players, and presumably his gratitude to Deano for two great end-of-season acts in two years, he is doing what all managers should do - ruling with his head, not his heart.
If Phil Brown had ruled with his heart, he would have given Ryan France a game this season by now, just to get him on the list of players to have featured for the club in all four divisions. France is still waiting to see if he will ever get that opportunity to carve his name into the club's history slate before he is inevitably given a free transfer next summer. He is waiting because his manager isn't sentimental.
If Phil Brown had ruled with his heart, he would have maintained David Livermore's presence in the midfield last season as the player himself was doing well. He had been a crucial secondary contributor to our survival the year before. But, with his contract terms stipulating an extension after a certain number of games, the manager counted the matches, realised Livermore was not a long-term option for the club's ambition and dropped him before he'd reached the threshold. Livermore was released in the summer and now plays for Brighton. He is playing for Brighton because his manager last season wasn't sentimental.
Two big examples of late of Brown's ruthlessness. That's what he is paid for. And, with Deano, it looks like it's coming round again. Deano's supporters (which we all are) will claim he was the one who rescued Phil Brown from the sack in 2007 (his winner at Cardiff in the penultimate game sealing our Championship place for another year) and then took Phil Brown's side into the Premier League. They'd have a point on the former; less so on the latter. Windass was a catalyst in our survival, no doubt; but a year later his goal just tinlidded a wonderful team effort for a whole season, not just the play-offs or the ultimate day of glory at Wembley. Deano put a cherry on a cake which had been baked by the whole team.
Plus, frankly, Windass owes Brown too. He was plodding about in the bottom division at Bradford City, scoring nonchalant goals and plunging into two-footed tackles, bored and wanting more. Brown not only gave him the chance to climb two divisions and raise his game, he also allowed him the chance to create an Indian summer for himself with the club and fans he loved. Deano's ability did the rest. But it was Brown who opened the way for Windass to take his existing hero status beyond any comprehension.
The chairman, Paul Duffen, has told the local paper he'd like Windass to stay. He knows that Deano pulls in punters and has the fiercest of connections with the Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire public that nobody, not even Nick Barmby, can replicate. But ultimately it will be Brown's decision, taken purely on footballing terms, as to where Deano's future lies. Given that Marlon King, Geovanni, Daniel Cousin and Caleb Folan are all ahead of him, and Craig Fagan was until his injury, I suspect the future for Deano may be a little bleaker, especially if Brown doesn't take too kindly to public fits of pique in the media before having the chance to speak to his player.
The showdown talks may have happened by now, and I hope that the right conclusion has been reached. I fear, however, that the conclusion which is correct is for Windass to be allowed to find a new club in January. He can leave with his head held high and with a thousand memories he can relive with us, and privately, forever.
Ultimately, he isn't playing in the Premier League because he is too old, too slow and has defenders against him who, unlike those at Norwich, Blackpool, Barnsley and Burnley, know exactly how to keep him quiet. He may still have his uses, but the sad irony is that his Wembley goal was the goal that almost certainly ended his City career. As bittersweet as football could possibly be.
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