Guardian did an article on Dudson last month, he commented on his form, they he had problems getting his kids/family over here with French passports which messed with his head

In what way is it ironic?

Ahhh righty, another issue i didn't know about, hopefully it will be a completely different year for him.

Demonstrates again how a fans we judge purely on performance when there can be so much else going on in their lives which can (when looked at objectively) understandably impact on performance. I’m as guilty as most in thinking of players as machines who should be able to perform at peak level for 80 minutes a week. As I’ve grown older and seen friends fall prey to nasty, life threatening diseases it has certainly given me pause to think.
That’s not to say that once the season starts I won’t be baying for blood, especially if it’s a player I didn’t think we should sign in the first place eg Peter Mat….

So why did he still get a starting shirt when he wasn't mentally able to give his best? Wouldn't it have been best for him and the club, if he was given time off to resolve whatever the issues were and to come back when his mind was fully tuned in to game day.

Think what it is like as a parent sat in the stands listening to it

Bad enough watching your kids when it’s at an amateur level and you hear criticism. What it must be like when they have striven to make it as a pro and hear people criticise…the temptation to smack them in the mouth must be overwhelming!

Never had a problem at amateur level, but professional is a different ball game, speckies pay their money and are entitled to their opinion, switch off and sit away, that’s what I tend to do, the Saints away game with an unnamed Warrington players dad with a Saints fan was a classic, never seen a fan wish the ground would open up, classic handled it better than I would have done

Well hopefully we have a better season, and no one has any cause to moan… Hope your lad (and the rest of the team) have a cracking season.

Me too cheers