Remember this time last year? We were so desperate for cover at left back that Curbishley shunted all the club's values into a deep freezer and took Thatcher on trial. Such was the sense of outrage that Hammers fans actually voiced criticism of the manager! He could turn us into Charlton Athletic, he could play a brand of football anathema to every true Hammer, he could spend millions on crocked crap...but signing Thatcher for nothing was a step too far! The thugs belonged among the fan base, not out on the pitch!
Roll on 12 months and what has changed? Well, the situation has actually got worse. Back then, the concern was the lack of cover for Linda the left back. The Beatle has long departed and been replaced with Ilunga but who covers if he is injured exactly? Neill was our emergency left back but it seems certain that he is now packing his bags for good. And, of course, when he goes we will not have a right back worthy of the name either!
Two players played the full 90 minutes against Bursapor yesterday: Faubert and Ilunga. Why? Because there is nobody else to play there! Now, we were incredibly lucky with Ilunga last season - no injuries and no suspensions meant that we didn't have to play Lopez at left back in the Prem. Had we been forced to do so, we would have been made to pay. I saw the guy in the flesh at Watford and I can confirm there was a lot of flesh! He was as bulky as Maradonna in his nadir and Tevez in October. It was a good job it was a cloudy night or Lopez might have caused a total eclipse of the moon!
Zola surely cannot be happy with this situation. Bursapor were attacking down our right yesterday, aware that Faubert could be got at. To be fair, he made one brilliant saving tackle when the Turks broke and were on the edge of our box four against three, but do we really want to see Faux Pas as our first choice right back? What are the alternatives? Spector, who acquitted himself well in the Confederations Cup, and Tomkins played out of position. Neither fill me with excitement as first choice right backs. And if the rumours are to be believed Faubert and Spector could be on their way, leaving us without any experienced cover whatsoever.
I know some will say "Bring on the kids" but that is a high risk policy. To those who say, "In Nani we trust", my reply would be Lopez, Lastpickeva and Di Michele, three rushed signings who didn't exactly set the place on fire. I suppose there is Behrami but surely we would be wasting his talent playing him at right back?
Hammersfan, I usually approach your articles with a sense of gearing myself up to disagree as you may have noticed (!) but this is one area in which we are in unison.
ReplyDeleteReading today that Neil is more than likely off to Turkey in search of one last payday I think this was a huge error by the club.
Yes he was a mercenary whose pace is going and was probably responsible for at least a couple of penalties a season, but as captain it was vital for us to hold onto him as 'The Project' begins to take shape.
His ability to fill in anywhere across the back four at a better level than Spector or Faubert was useful should we need it and his leadership was invaluable - getting Delapp's ball dryer removed was inspired.
The rumours that the players will miss his leadership as Upson (should he stay) is not much of a leader don't help matters.
I guess this is the moment where we test our respective theories. Should Nani et al find a decent replacement then my positivity remains, if not then your cynicism is justified in this respect.
As for submitting an article I started putting pen to paper yesterday but it has been derailed by family bereavement which has knocked my sunny outlook but will send it over when finished.
Cheers.
Sorry to hear that Beggars. I have just walked past a funeral, now I hear of your bereavement and I am flying today - and superstitious. Condolences and best wishes.
ReplyDeletei agree with you, we need to get a right-back in asap. where's Lahm when ya need him?
ReplyDeletesee clarkey looking like a washed up booze-hound on the OS ; )
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