In news breaking late last night, and gaining groundswell this morning, it appears that Nottingham Forest’s on-loan Aston Villa striker will not play again this season due to what media sources are reporting as “personal issues.”
Scotland international McCormack fell out of favour at Aston Villa after his attitude to training was highlighted by him not turning up after claiming to not be able to scale the 4ft 6in walls of his house after his electric gates refused to open.
Told by Villa manager Steve Bruce that he’d not feature until his attitude wised up, the Scot was loaned to Nottingham Forest for the remainder of this season and even that now seems to have ground to a halt.
McCormack has only featured for Forest seven times since his switch scoring once in a 5-1 loss to Norwich and providing an assist in the 3-2 loss to Brentford. Those contributions and 333 minutes are the sum of not only his Nottingham Forest career to date, but also full stop.
The reason for this is that many media sources, including the Telegraph, are reporting that Ross McCormack has not trained at Forest for three weeks due to what are being termed “personal issues” and that he is “unlikely to play again this season.”
The Telegraph go on to say that the Scotland international was struggling with an Achilles issue last month but go on to report that “he has not reported for treatment at either Forest of Villa, his parent club.”
With Forest facing the very real threat of being dragged into a relegation battle, the Reds only one point free of the bottom three and with only three games left, the last thing that they need is a striker with the undoubted potential of Ross McCormack unavailable for the run-in.
McCormack unavailable for “personal reasons”; fan comments on Twitter
This fan has little sympathy for McCormack’s reasons, as can be seen by this tweet.
Bore off McCormack, is your "personal" issue trying to work out where you can spend 48k a week? #nffc
— The Wolf of Wilmslow (@jonesychessex) April 19, 2017
Neither does this fan, who sees McCormack as a selfish egocentric.
https://twitter.com/JCLFC94/status/854632358166880256
However, most commenters are showing a more compassionate view to the proceedings, as the following tweets show.
Peter says that beyond the instances that are known, people should be understanding.
For those commenting on the McCormack situation: Be compassionate and decent and read between the lines. Benefit of doubt required. #nffc
— Peter Blackburn (@petermblackburn) April 19, 2017
For Paul, sympathy and an understanding about the effects of depression should lead to a wider understanding of what McCormack is going through.
https://twitter.com/PaulNewton1989/status/854628976765145089
Andrew agrees, those commenting should simply back of until they know the full story.
People are quick to jump on the back of McCormack without knowing the reasons why he's not turned up for training. #NFFC
— andrew💫 (@PantherAS90) April 19, 2017
Again, there are others from other clubs that McCormack has turned out for who are showing real concern.
@FulhamFC Is there anything we can do to help Ross McCormack? I hope he is ok and is getting the help and support he needs 💕 #FulhamFamily
— Andie (@fulham_girl) April 19, 2017
Dom here is another commenter who sees beyond the screen of what is presented, looking at the background issues and showing concern.
The Ross McCormack situation sounds very bad, I hope he is ok 👍
— Dom (@dom_33) April 19, 2017
More real concern for Ross McCormack’s well-being beyond what football he plays.
It would seem Ross McCormack isn't well. Mental Health (if this is the case) is a time when football's put aside and we wish him well. #lufc https://t.co/TfeXmMxn8f
— Will (@ArchaeoWill) April 19, 2017
Writer viewpoint
The majority of fans are picking on the essential matter, a matter at the very crux of McCormack missing training – mental illness. Football is football, I get that; it is a sport where the ideas of passion and commitment drip through it and form in its very core. But ask yourself this very simple question before you deign to comment.
What is more important, football or well-being?
Because, at the end of the day, mental illness and depression are potential killers – let’s make no bones about that. When people sink into these states, they do not need people on the sidelines pointing at them and castigating them. They need support and help, that touch or nod that shows them that they are not alone, that there are others there that are looking out for them.
If you answered ‘football’, then I’m afraid it says more about you as an individual than show anything about how you fit into the idea of humanity.