Following the signing of defender Danny Batth, we spoke to Stoke fan Will who had very high praise for the defender...
Was it the right time for Batth to leave Stoke?
Danny has been a brilliant servant for Stoke, you’ve only got to look at the universal thanks and gratitude sent to him on social media from Stoke fans to see how loved he’s been. When he joined us from Wolves, their fans were exactly the same. Stoke have reached a crossroads now whereby nearly all of the Premier League era, or “parachute payment players” who have been such a let down on the whole have been moved on. Michael O’Neill has worked tirelessly to replace them with younger players on less money as we try to work within the FFP restraints and rebuild. Very few of these players have had the impact Danny did but he will undoubtedly have been on big wages, and that combined with his age and contract coming to an end, it makes perfect sense for everyone.
What are your fondest memories of him?
My favourite memories of him will all focus around the season we looked dead and buried under Nathan Jones. O’Neill came in and it was nothing short of a miracle that he kept us up. Danny played no small part in that. He was big, strong, an obvious leader and scored some really big goals as we ultimately avoided the drop. He’s a player that gives 100% week on week, brave beyond belief, a proper old school centre half. You’ll fall in love with him from the first minute.
Why is he making the drop down to League One, rather than joining a different Championship club?
There’s no doubt he could have continued in the Championship and if not for his contract/wages/age he’d have done more than a job for us too. I don’t think he’d have dropped down to League One for any other club. He’s joined a huge club with a massive fan base who are looking like having a successful season and most likely promotion back to the Championship. The deal for Stoke, Danny and Sunderland makes perfect sense all round.
Any additional thoughts on his departure?
Look after him, and enjoy him. The bloke is class on and off the pitch. Good luck Danny.
