[Football] Love This. Suck sh*t Potter

Harry Wilson's tackle said:

I disagree.
First he didn't 'drag'. Can you imagine Potter dragging anything anywhere?
Second as an unemployed ex footballer with a degree in emotional intelligence from Newcastle-under-Lyne sixth form college,
you have to take whatever opportunities arise.
For your family.

I just deleted the bit about the bully imperative from the post to which you reply.
Perhaps I should have left it in

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Could you, like Meghan, halt your career for your partner?

Three people who uprooted their lives to Sweden and the United States share their stories.

www.bbc.co.uk

nickjhs said:

As the thread title says suck shit you treacherous piece of crap

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stewart12 said:

Graham Potter’s muscles ached as he pedaled away on his Peloton bike, the digital display in front of him counting down the seconds of his latest futile attempt to outpace his lingering regret. The West Ham training ground loomed in the distance, but Graham had no urgency to head there. He’d been avoiding the place for hours, just as he’d been avoiding eye contact with himself in the mirror lately. Sweat dripped from his forehead, mixing with the salty tears that streaked his face.

He wasn’t even sure when the tears had started. Perhaps it was when he caught sight of the Peloton instructor’s overly cheery encouragement, so at odds with his inner monologue. Perhaps it was earlier, when he’d scrolled through his phone during his warm-up and seen, once again, the endless stream of unanswered texts he’d sent to Tony Bloom.

Tony. The man who’d believed in him when no one else had, who’d stood by him when Brighton was floundering. The man who’d given him the chance to carve his name into Premier League history. “Good luck at Chelsea,” Tony had said the last time they’d spoken. The words weren’t bitter, but the unspoken disappointment behind them had been deafening.

Graham had typed out apologies a hundred times since leaving Brighton, but the words never seemed enough. Even now, he stared at his phone screen, the last message he’d sent glaring back at him: "I’m sorry, Tony. I should have stayed." No reply. Of course not. What was there to say? He’d made his choice.

The bike beeped, signaling the end of his session. He slowed his pedaling to a stop and stepped off, his legs trembling as he staggered to the kitchen. A single bottle of Huel sat on the counter, its beige contents a dismal reminder of his new life. He cracked it open and took a long, bitter swig, grimacing at the taste. It was supposed to be efficient, nutritious—everything he’d told himself he wanted. But it was joyless, just like everything else these days.

He slumped onto the couch, the half-empty bottle dangling from his hand. Memories of his time at Brighton flooded his mind. He saw the Amex Stadium bathed in evening sunlight, the cheers of the fans after a hard-fought win, the camaraderie of his players. He remembered the way the city had embraced him, how he’d felt like he belonged there, like he was building something meaningful.

And then he saw the headlines from his time at Chelsea. The articles dissecting his every decision, the relentless scrutiny, the impatience. He’d thought it was the big leagues, the pinnacle of his career, but it had chewed him up and spit him out. And now? West Ham. A club that tolerated him but didn’t love him. A far cry from the warmth he’d left behind.

His phone buzzed, snapping him out of his thoughts. For a brief, foolish moment, he hoped it was Tony. But it was just another reminder for tomorrow’s press conference. He tossed the phone onto the coffee table and rubbed his temples. The loneliness was unbearable. He wanted to call someone, anyone, but who would answer? The bridges he’d burned felt irreparable.

As the evening stretched on, Graham found himself back on the Peloton, the monotony of the pedaling his only solace. The tears came again, unbidden and unrelenting, as he thought about everything he’d lost. He’d traded loyalty for ambition, stability for a fleeting dream, and he’d ended up with nothing but regret.

“Tony,” he whispered into the empty room, his voice cracking. But there was no one to hear him, no one to forgive him. Just the soft hum of the Peloton and the distant echoes of a life he’d left behind.

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Skaville said:

Absolute cr@p IMO. He spent ten years at the club, largely as captain. An important role model, class act and simply a great person.

When Potter left, he had two choices. Leave for more money with someone who believed in him, or stay and hope the new guy might give him a role. His decision was justified when RDZ brought in his own six man backroom team.

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Harry Wilson's tackle said:

No, I think putting family first, above selfish workplace ambition, is an admirable quality that takes courage.

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boik said:

It makes me a bit sad that we have so many spiteful fans. Genuinely disappointing. I thought we were better than that.

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boik said:

It makes me a bit sad that we have so many spiteful fans. Genuinely disappointing. I thought we were better than that.

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Harry Wilson's tackle said:

I think you have identified the heart of the matter.
That's the end of the affair for me.

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Ooh it’s a corner said:

Tbf he did make Brighton rock
Downhill since then though and not just for him. Mind you Dan’s had plenty of time to keep his aspidistra flying

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cjd said:

I agree wholeheartedly, that putting family ahead of selfish, workplace ambition is admirable.

Having millions in the bank and still refusing to accept that he is a failure at the top table, but still willing to put his family through the mill, for his own thoughtless and un-achievable ambition is unbelievably selfish.

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stewart12 said:

A single bottle of Huel sat on the counter, its beige contents a dismal reminder of his new life.

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Tom Hark Preston Park said:

For a bit of balance, not to mention valuable insight, here's a reference (link below) from Potter's wikipedia page. Clearly Rachel was not thrilled to be asked to relocate to not far outside the Arctic Circle, especially as the couple had 11 month old Charlie (no gags please) to consider. But she did it anyway, to support her husband. Their twins Sam and Theo were born in Ostersund. Damn right she don't want to move out of Hove. She's done the hard miles. It's pay-back time. Impressive

Could you, like Meghan, halt your career for your partner?

Three people who uprooted their lives to Sweden and the United States share their stories.

www.bbc.co.uk

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The Fits said:

What do people feel sorry for him about? If he’s struggling that much he can quit, get all the counselling he wants and spend the next year on a beach somewhere. Get a grip.
He made these decisions.

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Hiheidi said:

At least he'll be able to rebuild next season..... or maybe not?!

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