Joey Phuthi admits he was blindsided by Josh Windass as X-rated rant emerges

Released Sheffield Wednesday youngster Joey Phuthi admits he was blindsided by Josh Windass as a video of an X-rated rant emerges.

Speaking on Open Goal, Windass had said: “We had a young lad called Joey. I think he’s been released, he’s p*** anyway.

“I was speaking to him in the canteen and one of our coaches said ‘have a word with Joey, he never runs more than 9k in a game, ever.’

“I asked him how much he ran in a game. He said 9k, then went ‘Messi don’t run.’ That’s what he said, a kid. I didn’t say anything, I was just thinking ‘you’re the worst player ever, and you’re talking about Messi’.”

Josh Windass has publicly slated a young player from his own team, Joey Phuthi, calling him “pish”

Just a reminder that Josh Windass has actually worn the armband at Sheffield Wednesday and yet he goes around slating young lads like this pic.twitter.com/BSI3SMUXqZ

— The 44 (@The_Forty_Four) May 21, 2025

Joey Phuthi has since tweeted: “It’s disappointing to be called out by Josh Windass during what’s already been a really tough period for me — not being offered a new contract at Sheffield Wednesday has been difficult to process, and the last thing I expected was to be dragged into something like this.

“For clarity, the conversation has been completely flipped out of context.

“Windass asked me to name a player who doesn’t run over 10km in a game, and I responded honestly in that moment — it wasn’t personal, nor was it meant to be disrespectful.

“It’s frustrating to see things taken out of proportion when emotions are already high.

“I’ve always tried to conduct myself with honesty and respect, both on and off the pitch.

“All I want now is to move forward and focus on the next chapter of my career.”

#swfc pic.twitter.com/xuwyo3ZFnu

— Joey Phuthi (@humbilityj) May 21, 2025

Here’s how fans reacted after Joey Phuthi admits he was blindsided by Josh Windass as an X-rated rant emerges…

@swfccom: he shouldn’t have thrown you under the bus on that pod joey. as a young player i hope you’re doing well considering ur situation. we all wish you the best with your next club chin up & prove them all wrong for letting go of you

@absyswfc: Windass himself was let go by Huddersfield as a kid? You know wednesday said Jamie vardy wasn’t good enough right? One door closes others will open.

@tiger_newy: He got released from HTAFC at a similar age to you, lad. Stay strong, get head down, bounce back and prove the doubters wrong. He who laughs last …

@the1867club: He’s captained Wednesday and described a 17 year old as pish? That’s disgraceful. Wilder got slated for a bit of banter with Rohl, I hope Windass gets the same for genuinely insulting a kid.

@HillsboroughS6: we’re all behind you on this Joey, you don’t deserve that. Keep your head up and wish you all the best with your future club. I’ve seen nothing less than hard work when I’ve seen you play.

@Djohnsonswfc: Well said joey, You’ll go on to have a good career elsewhere whether you run over 10k or not

@AkersTheOwl: You could tell he made the story up for laughs… bloke Next to him looked cringed out head up mate & use it to make you stronger

@ThomasClay3: You don’t need to explain. Everyone who’s heard it knows how pathetic it was from his side

@adam7485: Head up mate, he was bang out of order

@mightybongsmon: Ignore him. I’ve never known a player who thinks he’s so much better than he actually is

@kingmdk1983: All windass cares about is windass. Said it for years. Keep working hard joey and good luck for the future

@carterswfcok: Love windass as a player but his personality has really shown in the last few months. As a young player you should never have to be called out especially at a time where you are supposed to be advertising yourself. Best of look for the future

@Kerim1387007: Keep ya head up joey we all know u have potential and gl in the future mate

@jakerowl1: Piss poor from Windass. Becoming the norm being completely unprofessional in interviews. Chairman, manager, players. It’s an issue at the club.

@BarkerLucan: Keep your head up mate, people will say a lot of stuff during your career, it’s how you come out the other side of this! Enjoy your football wherever you end up playing it and even though your gone we are all Wednesday

@daggreen: Disappointing words about you from an experienced pro who should know better. You have a lot of support on here. Focus on that and wishing you all the best.

@EricLevans1: From a Blade (in peace), follow the example of players like Jamie Vardy and Illiman Ndiaye and ignore underachievers like Windass. Put the work in, want it more than anything else and it’ll come.

@willyo79: Would’ve loved to see you pushing for a 1st team place next season. Very weird decision by the club. All the best for the future, whoever you sign for will have a class act

@Jowl30: I normally back Windass but he’s wrong on this, pure arrogance! Don’t let it effect you

@_owlornothing_: I’ve defended Josh so many times after he made a generous and heartfelt gesture for me years ago. Don’t know what’s happened since then but this is piss poor and I hope this of all things makes him reflect. Not everyone cares about kindness in football, but we should.

@GazRobinson1: Take every negative as a reason to write your own story. If I listened to every bird who said I was wank in bed I’d have never teased the tip in ever again. Trust in yourself #swfc

@Jim1867: This football club is an absolute embarrassment. From the chairman, to the manager, to senior players calling out youngsters to fans knowing information we really shouldnt. I long for the day we’re a normal fucking football club. Complete circus from top to bottom.

@HuttonKeely: Turn this into a positive and prove a point and smash it in the future you will make it the reason why you turned into a fantastic player good luck joey