Former player Ian Harte is a pretty regular fixture on social media when it comes to his thoughts about Leeds United and football in general and Kemar Roofe came in for particular praise from the now 41-year-old following his performance against Wigan Athletic last weekend.
The former Republic of Ireland international’s message was hugely positive, but when commenting about Roofe he included a line suggesting we should get the 25-year-old signed up to a new deal given his improving performances under manager Marcelo Bielsa and in recognition of his seven goals in eleven appearances.
The Roofe is on 🔥 @roofe39 deserves a new @LUFC deal. Top of the table #leedsleedsleeds #mot
— Ian Harte (@ianharte23) November 4, 2018
He’s spot on that the former West Bromwich Albion man is ‘on fire’ in front of the net in 2018/19 but the criticism thrown out about the ‘contract’ comment seems a little bit over the top to me. Roofe’s stock is certainly growing in football and with that you naturally see improved terms, allied to more lengthy terms so a club is better protected if he attracts any firm interest in upcoming transfer windows.
Roofe is now scoring the goals that the club expects and expected in 2016.
Reality: 16 games into the season, and considering he has already missed a lot of games, it is not a basis for demanding a new deal, just get on with it. #lufc
— Rob Foote (@realrj80) November 4, 2018
O’Leary era coming out of ya there, new deal every 6 months
— Jimmy (@CryptocurrancyK) November 4, 2018
What a very strange tweet, how about just knuckling down and working hard?
— Joe Atherton (@joetmatherton) November 4, 2018
Very random tweet, beneath an ex-LUFC pro. Also, while Roofe is having a great season so far, he’s scored 7 goals with a 3rd of the season gone, putting him 7th in the Champ top scorer league. So my advice would be to keep his head down and focus on getting to 1st.
— Jezaldinho (@Jezaldinho) November 4, 2018
Bloody hell ian calm down we don’t want to be skint again
— Robert Thompson (@bertlufc) November 4, 2018
Not cool, Ian. Not cool.
— Simon O'Rourke (@simon_orourke) November 4, 2018
Ian Harte has lost the plot. Roofe is on ???? absolutely – new deals can wait until we get promoted (if). It was only last year he was tweeting about the lack of English players in the U23 team. Coming from an Irishman.
— Nick Phipps (@NickPhipps1974) November 4, 2018
A very odd thing to tweet. Surely it’s more important for him to keep his head down and continue this hot streak rather than focus his attentions on clinching a new deal. Surely he has an obligation to honour the terms of his current deal.
— Tom Potter (@TPotte) November 4, 2018
started the season well but let’s not forget the contracts we gave out this time last year eh?
— James Carroll (@JimboC1974) November 4, 2018
A lot of stick towards this tweet. With 18 months left in his current deal this makes sense but a lot of people won’t know that before tweeting. Would people rather him continue his fine form and then leave next January for tuppence or for a deal like wood which is instalments
— Parma (@Parma__D) November 4, 2018
There’s a difference between handing out contracts for the hell of it and then rewarding success and protecting an investment for me. There were also a fair few comments akin to the last Tweet there.