TalkSport pundit Trevor Sinclair has slammed Watford’s Danny Rose after comments emerged regarding his fitness from Claudio Ranieri.
The 31-year-old left-back, who has been capped 29 times for England, has found himself in and out of the Watford side this season, playing only nine times for the Hornets as they look to stabilise themselves following their promotion to the Premier League and a change of manager.
His performances haven’t been the best, though, with TalkSport pundit Dean Ashton recently slamming his display against Liverpool, and now Hornets boss Claudio Ranieri has come out and offered a possible explanation as to why his performances might not have been up to scratch.
He said: “I think it is more fitness than a confidence issue. When he came he was down on fitness and now he has improved a lot but he needs to improve more. It is difficult though to say how long that will take.”
Speaking about the matter on TalkSport, Sinclair, whilst somewhat sympathetic to the fact that Rose didn’t play a lot last season, slammed the England international for allowing himself to get in this state, saying that he would be ‘embarrassed’ if he found himself in the same situation:
“Yeah, it’s a kick up the backside. But also, I think you’ve got to look at yourself in the mirror. Because to play no games last season, listen, it was a really difficult year for everyone, but he’s only 31 years old, if his fitness at that age with the professionalism and the experience that he’s got is being questioned by Ranieri, I’d be embarrassed by that if I was him.”
TIF Thoughts on Trevor Sinclair’s comments about Danny Rose and Claudio Ranieri at Watford…
Will Watford stay up this season?
Yes
No
As Sinclair points out, Rose didn’t play a single minute for the senior side at Tottenham last season and that may have had an impact in how things have gone for him so far, but if he hasn’t managed to get himself fit by now after months at the new club as well as playing games, then surely questions have to be asked.
At 31, Rose is in the latter stages of his career, but if he isn’t able to get himself fit, that career might come to an end sooner than might have been expected. And having been given this opportunity at Watford to revive his career, he shouldn’t be wasting it like this.
There’s still a chance that he could get one last move to a bigger club or even into the England squad, even if it is as a veteran backup option, but if he isn’t able to prove what he can do at Watford, especially if it’s something he can sort out himself, then it’s just a wasted opportunity.
In other news: ‘He’s a joke’ – Rio Ferdinand blown away by Leicester ace with ‘great attitude’