Had you asked me that question at this stage of last season, my answer would have been unequivocal. 2007/08 was at best an indifferent season for Lucas. Time and again his lack of pace was exposed as opposition managers targeted the right hand flank of our defence. Neill compounded the problem by regularly going walk about and giving away the ball carelessly. Remember the thumping at Newcastle where Neill lost possession for the first Newcastle goal and was absent without leave when crosses came in from his flank for both the second and third goals? Remember the 2-0 reverse at the Emirates where the same pattern emerged? Remember Arsenal hitting pass after pass down our right flank at Upton Park, as Wenger pinpointed Neill as our weak link? (Ironically the goal came from a cross from the left but Neill failed to jump with Van Persie when he headed home.) Remember Neill diving in on the half way line for Ronaldo's headed goal at UP? (Poor Linda matched Ronaldo stride for stride as he raced into the box but was that vital half a yard short when the big head connected with the ball!)Remember Petrov skinning him alive at Upton Park? Remember the penalty against Birmingham? There were others but these stand out for me. Neill was becoming a liability and a blooming expensive one at that. Get rid I would have said.
But now? Well the judgement on whether or not to offer Lucas a new contract is on the back of him having had an impressive season. He has been a real leader on and off the pitch, standing up to Curbishley in a dressing room coup d'etat which precipitated Baggy Eye's departure as much as the sale of Linda, and standing tall on the pitch as player after player has been carried off to the casualty ward. Right back, centre back and central midfield, Neill has slotted in where he has been needed and acquitted himself well. He hasn't found an extra yard of pace of course, he just seems to be thinking more, that vicious tackle on Cattermole apart.
So what should the club do now? He will only get slower of course and anything longer than a one year contract on his current megabucks would be madness. But if we lose Neill, we lose more than the player: we lose a big man in the dressing room, a fantastic NCO who leads with pride and passion. He came for the money, he will probably leave for the money, but give Neill his due, he plays for the shirt!
Will he fancy an easy life on big money in Greece? Will he prefer less money but European football with Everton? Or can we keep him at Upton Park? I think Zola will need all his charm to pull it off. Money talks loudest for Neill, as was shown when he opted for us over Liverpool so I expect him to see his palms "greeced" in the coming weeks. And then the search for a right back and a captain begins!
So, should we stump up the necessary cash or let Lucas go?
15 comments:
Neils been hot & cold since he joined us, I would offer him a one year extension, with atleast a 50% pay cut and then focus the captaincy on a younger, fitter player like Parker. If he doesnt like the pay cut then he can go swivel, and we make Parker captain anyway and if he stayed, his contributions and leadership will be appreciated just as much as the next player.
I'm not fussed either way but I would like to ask the poster how you can suggest a 50% pay cut when you have no idea what earns
9unless you take the red tops as gospel?), and as for parker being fitter well he may be faster but please tell me you have looked at parkers injury record spanning his entire career
whats going on, wheres the spurs article today?
You are a proper retard as Neil has been one of our top players this season and has an outside chance of hammer of the year but u never go to any games so how would you know. We need to keep him big time the guy has been class this season for us.
I'd keep him but only offer a one year deal. You need balance in the team and he seems a decent presence to have around for the young lads.
It isn't a pleasant term but you are the retard 1938 because you clearly cannot read. If you could, you would have read the following, "Well the judgement on whether or not to offer Lucas a new contract is on the back of him having had an impressive season. He has been a real leader on and off the pitch, standing up to Curbishley in a dressing room coup d'etat which precipitated Baggy Eye's departure as much as the sale of Linda, and standing tall on the pitch as player after player has been carried off to the casualty ward. Right back, centre back and central midfield, Neill has slotted in where he has been needed and acquitted himself well."
You truly are a moron!
I wish you would come back to the org. it isn't the same without you...and your 'allies'. You're all real loss to our little community. Loveyoulongtime dave x
"standing up to Curbishley in a dressing room coup d'etat which precipitated Baggy Eye's departure"
"Money talks loudest for Neill, as was shown when he opted for us over Liverpool"
These statements show you for who you really are. Attention seeker spouting bullshit for a reaction even at the risk of ruining the reputation of our fans.
You are why fans hate West Ham, and articles like this only make us even more of a laughing stock.
Be honest, do you write for a reaction, or do you write because you think people want to hear what you've got to say?
Lucas Neil has earnt a new contract on his terms. His fitness record for one means he is a cast stone cert for the team sheet week in week out. Upson and Parker are quality senior pro's but they miss games and are injury prone. The title of Skipper says it all itself. Neil has been there week in week out throughout. Under GFZ and Clarky he has addressed his weaknesses and having the barmy Barahmi in front of him they have dominated the right hand flank all season long. Pay up and keep him.
And on top of it all hammersfan you always avoid the question of why do you not go to the games but you are an authority on everything west ham like crowd abuse even though you aint at the games. Please answer as you always avoid the question or just delete it.
2132, I am puzzled by your reaction to the two quotations. It is well known that Liverpool offered Neill the chance to play Champions League football when he left Blackburn but he chose to join relegation haunted West Ham. We just happened to be offering him as much higher basic salary than was available at Liverpool. So, why did he join us?
It is also a matter of record that Neill confronted Curbishley about his negativity and the direction he was taking the club in. Curbishley departed soon afterwards. Why does that make fans hate West Ham? It is the truth.
0808, I have a job which does not allow me to attend games at the weekend. I do not live close enough to Upton Park to make it over of an evening after work.
I used to be a regular at Upton Park. I watch every game via Sky or the internet. The camera angles and replays show me a much bigger picture than I was ever able to get in the ground. I know my football and I have been watching it (and playing it) for a good many years. Want to test your knowledge against mine? I would lay a lot of money on who would win!
You have a job that does not allow you to attend games at the weekend. You must be giving out a lot of weekend detentions then??
LOL If you like! If teachers earnt what I earn, the country really would be in the financial mire. But if you want to think of me as a teacher, feel free!
Hammersfan, whatever you do, don't go back to WHF.org. This is turning into one of the better blogs. Your tenacity in the face of some of the vitriol chucked at you is admirable
You are spot on about Neil. He was shite last season and he's been solid this term. I think Behrami's contribution shouldn't be underestimated He has dug skippy out of a few holes this season, with his chasing back, which of course, has to do with what Mr Clark has been drilling into them these past few months. That aside, he'll be off in a couple of weeks after the cash. As will Upson IMHO in search of a team playing in Europe next year. (Ihope not).
Cheers George! Hope you are wrong about Upson but he had that look about him against Everton I thought. Worrying.
Post a Comment