Some might argue vociferously the case for Devo to figure higher in the list than number 9. He wasn't just a Cup Winner, of course, it was Devonshire's run and cross that led to Brooking's winning goal against Arsenal and one of the biggest Cup Final shocks ever. The £5,000 we paid Southall for his services was unquestionably the best transfer business the club ever did and there isn't a Hammers fan of my generation who does not treasure fond memories of Alan skinning opponents.
However, as good as he was, Devonshire had a major weakness for an attacking midfield player - his finishing. Had you asked me to guess his goals to games ratio, I might have pitched at 30 for every 200 games; but Devonshire actually fell well short of that mark, managing just 32 goals in 432 appearances (plus a further 16 as a sub). When you consider that 117 of those starts were in the old Second Division, then that record really is singularly unimpressive. As a comparison, Kevin Keen, not exactly a great, managed 30 goals from 237 starts (plus 42 as a sub!)
Alan played 8 times for England, another indication that he was that little bit short of top class. In truth, leaving aside sentimentality, he figures so high in the list because of the number of games he played for the club. In terms of quality, I don't think he could hold a torch to any of Lampard Junior, Ince, Rio or Joe Cole. That might upset a few people but that's how I see it. If you disagree, I'm happy to listen!
Franz Beckenbauer a world cup winner as a player and mananger and a true world great described Alan as the best English midfielder he had ever seen but a top 10 finish seems ok to me he's had some stiff competition through the years
ReplyDeleteHaving spoken to him at length a few years ago he is very aggrieved at the way West Ham treated him when he was injured and beyond
The goal return is the problem though Deane. As we are seeing now, if the midfield do not chip in sufficiently, then a side is going to struggle. An average of eight goals a season seems reasonable for an attacking midfield player - Devonshire averaged less than 3 a season in ALL competitions!
ReplyDeleteaah but ray Stewart scored all Alan's goals He was very adept at umm shall we say winning penalties
ReplyDeleteLOL A West Ham player diving in the box? As if!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteyou put dev at 9 then slag him off and say he wasn't that good. make up your mind. go and get your brain wired up right mate
ReplyDeletetonyboy
Tony, I think I offer a balanced critique actually, listing players of higher ability but acknowledging Alan's overall contribution to the cause as superior. Did you think his goals to games ratio was that poor?
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