Nothing very surprising about the mass clear out, just an end of season late spring clean, but it does give me cause for concern. 5 first team squad members have been released, although only Neill was a first choice. Zola has stated that he only wants to bring in 2 or 3 new faces, so 3 signings and perhaps 2 loans to replace the 5 who have been released.
That would give us a 21 man outfield squad that would include Dyer, Gabbidon, Ashton, Parker and Upson. It is not beyond the bounds of reason that none of those 5 will manage even half a season, such is their history and Collins for that matter does not have a good attendance record. That could see us with 15 or 16 available players with an average age of about 14!
Now don't get me wrong I am a fan of the little Sardine, but the boyish charm and wide eyed honesty could also be interpretted as naivety. We over-achieved this season and if the young lads who had to walk to the crease a bit early in the innings had not done so well we may have really struggled. Those boys will find it harder next season and my concerns are that unless we strengthen the squad with a bit more experience, we will struggle to finish in the top half.
I would like to see Gabbidon, Ashton and Dyer replaced, I don't think they will manage 50 games between them all season and that would imperil our premiership survival with such a small squad.
Finally can I register my delight at the parting of the ways with Lucas Neill. Too slow, can't turn and can't keep his hands to himself, he has been a liability for most of his time with us. Opposition teams have recognised him as our weak spot for the last two seasons and have attacked relentlessly down that flank. So much so that MacCartney looked like a £6Million player (well Sunderland thought so anyway). Truth of the matter was he didn't have to do much. Ilunga has been given the space to become one of our most attacking outlets and this again has been because he has not been called upon much defensively. Behrami has been restricted by having to do half of Neill's work for him, so perhaps we could see more from him next year, I think he could make a good job of the defensive midfield job if we don't go back in for Kovac.
I'll accept that Lucas may be a good captain, but that's not enough. With the possible exception of Mike Brearley captaining the England cricket team in the 70's no player has ever justified inclusion in a team on the grounds of their captaincy skills alone.
New captain; Upson to groom Tomkins for the job.
Marty
Good post Marty. I'm a little concerned too about our squad depth if we only add two or three players to our current squad. It appears Sears is off (Sheff Wed / Peterbrough) on loan for the season too. I feel we need a quality rightback, a cover rightback, creative central midfielder, left-sided midfielder, starting 'poacher' centre forward and decent backup striker. Zola and Nani have much to do!
ReplyDeletei take it you dont go to many games then?!?!?! Neil has a touch of class and a touch of calm that we will miss for sure, especially with so many young players in and around our first team. he has shown on many occasions that he is one of the best footballers we had, and although he has made mistakes, in the last season he has been pretty solid, and has had a massivly positive influence in most matches.
ReplyDeletei think its disgraceful that he has refused to take a cut in his wages, however it isnt suprising and so good ridence, however to say that he is as crap as you are making out is a bit of a joke! its amazing the difference in opionion between fans that go to matches and the one's that don't - my brother isn't a season ticket holder, and so he has some shocking opinions that any of the people who go to upton park would piss themselves if they heard them, as with your opinions it seems from previous blogs...
1830 - actually I agree with you about Neill. Season before last he was poor but I argued his case for Hammer of the Year this season just gone. But he isn't getting any younger and is already on the slow side - and I can see him getting slower quickly, especially if kept fat on £40,000+ a week in wages!
ReplyDeleteI didn't write this article, Marty did!
So there's a difference is there? On Neil I actually agree with you, he did have a good season particularly the 2nd half but no way Hammer of the year.
ReplyDeleteAll things considered it's probably a good thing so many players were released. With the likes of Payne, Spence and Ngala knocking on the door of the first team squad (without injuries to other players helping them along). 2 or 3 new signings and possibly a similar number of players on loan (3 on loan last season). It looks about right. Most of the players released were just bench fillers with no real potential beyond that.
ReplyDeleteSo, with 5 or 6 players coming in and 2 or 3 youngsterss stepping up it all looks rosy imo.
2011, too many kids is dangerous IMO.
ReplyDeleteYes there is a difference. Think I've worked out which orgster you are by the way! Politics in this country is a mess mate.
Apache, if you look in, great post mate. davefking objected because he is a BNP sympathiser - my liberal views on immigration was an early cause of our falling out. One orgster has repeatedly posted links to a BNP site on here. Some nice guys tucked up inside the org, mate, especially in the inner sanctum of the Klan!
yeah, you win nothing with kids...
ReplyDeleteI am disappointed with Lucas,
ReplyDeleteAs a Hammer I expected him to take a wage cut, and push on with his club,
But personalities and the lure of the cash got him in the end.
0241, I was amazed how many Hammers claimed he hadn't joined us for the money in the first place. Champions League or relegation battle with West Ham...hmmmmmmmm, difficult choice!
ReplyDeleteWhat utter rubbish!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure it is worthy of any more of a response than that, so I'll keep it short.
Neill will be hard to replace. Sure, not the quickest, but his reading of the game has made that less of a problem for him than most. I agree the club shouldn't be held to ransom, but Neill has been the major factor in organising our very good defence in his time at the club.
And lets just get rid of Gabbs, Ashton, etc, without actually seeing how they shape up fitness wise. And while we're at it, lets just get rid of our HOTY. that makes sense, especially in a sparse squad, with not much money to bolster
To my mind, we NEED 3 players. A decent RB to replace Neill. And 2 strikers. One should be a Bellamy type, for wont of a better example. Someone who plays best off of a bigger strike partner, but at a push can lead the line. The other should be a more creative type. Like a DDM, but with the ability to stay on his feet in the final 3rd, and able to hit the target
Liverpool never actually made Neill an offer - it was all just papertalk!$
ReplyDeleteWe were the only club who did and we doubled his wages - what would you lot do?
Go one then, I will give you 3 attempts as I am that confident that you will be MILES off.
ReplyDelete