And what if Hardaker has asked the club to respect his privacy and not issue a statement at all about him?

Nonsense.

I think the Club could easily have said that they are working to help the player through whatever issues there are with him without dis-respecting his own privacy wishes which England did.
I dont think we need any fine details just the asurances that the player will be supported and get the required help to hopefully get through this asap and back on the field doing what he does best.

People just can't wait to find out. The twitter generation goes into withdrawal if they don't know everything immediately.

I haven't a clue what his personal issues are, I guess that's why they are personal?

The club could have said that if that's what they intend to actually do. But what if they don't intend to do that? What if they just haven't made a decision. Would look pretty bad if they offered full support etc. as you suggest and then he is shown the door.

I understand what you are saying but it can be made clear.
Imo mate they are 2 seperate issues they can publicly/privately offer any amount of counselling ,help etc etc without giving any commitment to his future as a Leeds player.
His current "issues" if are mental/bad should take priority over any talk of playing his playing future can be discussed/decided at a later date without hindering any support he needs now.

But why are the club expected to make that statement before they have decided what they are going to do? More to the point, why can't you wait? It seems to be getting a lot of people hot under the collar when it actually doesn't affect anyone other than the player and his employers.

I can wait i was posting an opinion about the situation i arent screaming for updates or a full minute by minute break-down the Kids health/well being is the priority.
As for getting hot under the collar fans will always show an interest/concern when it effects their players will they not?

We matter diddly squat. That isn't the point. We don't need to know the details.

But what the club shouldn't be doing is leaving the kid out to dry on his own. They must be aware of all the malicious rumours. Give something that puts a stop to those, and protects the kid. Then deal with whatever it is privately.

It is greed......yes its a short career, but he signed a long term contract just last year so you can't excuse a sudden demand for money (if this is the case - you stated) when all the Leeds players know the system GH pays and uses the salary cap. Its a salary capped sport, you have to take less at times, if your not willing then it may be better to go somewhere else than have that in the camp. Yes he is a very good player, do I think Leeds will have a dramatic decline if we lose him.....no....should GH make a special case for him after agreeing to a contract just recently, no not if it comes at the cost of getting too close to the salary cap and upsetting the system in place.

We have fringe playes making maybe half the salary of starting players at lower clubs, but they have come through the ranks or see the professional set up as a better step for them....basically you cant expect to win and be paid the top whack all the time.....it can't work.....

EDIT - Hall and Watkins are ahead of Zak for me in keeping at the club if you want to go there

It might be that there are no mental health issues (hopefully) & his issues are behavioural to an extent that potentially reflects poorly on the game & Leeds. Until they know the facts it might be they are better off not saying too much until the facts are clearer.

I think that's a little ott, how has the club "left him out to dry"?