Venables explains decision to drop Batty
Sunday, 1 December 2002 09:41Leeds United manager Terry Venables has told the News of the World that after studying videos of David Batty from last season, he had no alternative but to drop him from his plans. Many of the Leeds supporters are outraged that the former England midfielder has no part to play in the future of the club but Venables has said he believes his best days are behind him.
The 34-year-old is currently sidelined by tendinitis in his knee but Venables had informed him at the start of the season that he had no plan to include Batty in his first-team squad this season and offered him a coaching job instead. Batty refused to take that job and insisted he would fight for his place while still under contract.
"I asked for videos of Batty from last season and studied them. After watching those videos I had to agree with my staff. In my opinion David could no longer operate effectively in the Premier League. Quite frankly I thought David`s best days had gone and I told him that. It was not a nice thing to have to do but it had to be done and I thought he accepted the point. There's no plot. It simply boils down to my decision as manager of this football club," said Venables.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
