With Sullivan admitting that we will accept an offer for Upson in the summer and the player himself refusing to commit to the club, isn't it time we looked for another captain? How do the other players feel, seeing a deserter leading them into battle?
I called some time ago for Parker to be given the armband. I thought he was an illogical choice as Hammer of the Year last season, based on how few games he completed and his single goal from midfield, but he has certainly been a leader this year, albeit his goal return is still pathetic. Who can forget Parker taking two powerdriver freekicks full in the face in successive games? Who can forget his wonderful goal line clearances? Who can forget that superb drive into the box to set up Hines' winner against Villa? Who will forget the run that won the free kick against Birmingham, setting up Diamanti's wonderful goal?
Upson has played all season as if he has other things on his mind: the World Cup and a move away from West Ham. To be fair, in 1966, Bobby Moore was also focused on England and securing a move to Tottenham, and Greenwood left him as our captain. But Upson isn't Moore is he?
Who thinks Parker should wear the armband over the final lap of the season? Or would it be better to leave things as they are to avoid upsetting Upson?
16 comments:
Upson, apart from the last match where he made a mistake (all footballers do that from time to time you know) has been in great form this season. Didn't you notice that the team stopped shipping so many goals when he returned to the line up.....perhaps not, because those rose tinted glasses are looking elsewhere usually.
You won't get any player committing themselves to any club at this point of the season and Upson is acutely aware that The David's want to sell him to raise funds so how can he commit when he knows he is going anyway regardless of what he says.
Did you hear Cole commit his future to the club when he was recently interviewed.....NO...he did commit to the rest of the season just as Upson has done and talk of stripping him of his captaincy is total and utter bollocks. You really need to read things properly you plonker. No wonder so many people give you abuse.
Oh and one last point, don't expect Parker to be hear either next season. You didn't think that one through either did you?
To be fair cOL, I have defended Upson quite a bit this season and have said how important he is to our back four - inevitably so after the sale of Collins. And I have predicted that Parker may be plying his trade at another club too. The problem is, everbody KNOWS Upson is leaving; with the others it is a suspicion. Is he giving the right example as a captain?
By the way, why not engage in debate without the bile?
So, give me a good reason for stripping him of the captaincy as so far you have not given any reason at all apart from the fact he won't commit himself (which is no different to any of our other players) to a long term future at West Ham?
I have, that everybody KNOWS he is leaving.
Why can't people just debate these issues without the insults flying, media insults are a cowards insult so why bother with them. Now to get to the question of who should be the captain of our great club. Lets ask one question who is the best man for the job. Personally I think Parker is the best man for the job. From his midfield position he can influence both defence and attack by example and exert some control on the game.
Everybody knowing he is leaving is hardly a reason is it. If truth be known I think the majority of people also believe Parker will be leaving so the slightest suggestion that he should take over lands up with the very same problem. Just because a player MAY be leaving doesn't mean he should'nt be Captain and I can't think of a poorer excuse.
Fair comment col
I don't think Upson is a good captain and I don't think he should have been awarded it in the first place. However, forget who may be going and who may not, we are in a fight where we need both Parker and Upson playing at the top of their game. Upson would see it as a big kick in the teeth if stripped of it so late on, which could affect performances regardless of a world cup, and Parker has been inspirational without the armband, so has shown he doesn't need a piece of cloth round his arm to lead the team. Leave alone until the summer is my call.
Parker for captain. I always thought that anyway. Upson is a good defender, but if he's going to leave, then we might as well put Parker in there. Parker makes a real captain. Yeah, he doesn't score alot, but his passion and energy for the team, especially in his defending and using every part of his body to block shots. He's always running around and rallying the other players.
Then again, if Upson is stripped of his captaincy, maybe he'll start missing training sessions and doing poorly on the pitch, and we don't really have a good backup center half.. I mean, yeah Da Costa isn't bad, but you can't put him with Tomkins in the back-line! Upson is our only experienced one! Gabbidon isn't in his usual form either...
I think the point is Upson's body language and the words he uses when questioned in interviews about his future are not positive. Until you leave, you should not give any negative vibes, especially as a captain as it can effect players. Therefore, making it obvious that you are leaving is not clever and can constitute a good enough reason to be stripped of the captaincy and give it to someone who is more positive and basically says 'I will be at the club for quite some time'. This is aside from the fact that it may also influence his own performances.
The manager should clear the air with Upson. If he is leaving, the better thing would be to give the captaincy to someone else. If he is not leaving, I think they should leave it with him to avoid rocking the boat. This does not mean that I think he is our best choice for captain.
cOL you defeat yourself by using "know" for Upson and "believe" for Parker, that's the point. Parker may be going but he has done nothing to suggest that he is. Upson, on the other hand, has declined to commit himself to the club and, since December, has been hinting at his departure.
Good argument 1311 and Stani. My concern is that it may unnecessarily upset Upson and with Parker playing as the captain anyway, why does it matter if Upson wears the arm band? The counter argument is the effect this has on others. If your captain is not 100% committed to the cause, does this demotivate others? If it does, then obviously somebody else should wear the armband.
It is interesting that cOl is convinced that both Upson and Parker will leave. When I possit this sort of idea, I am called a traitor and a Spud! Is there a new air of reality around the place? Are fans beginning to accept that all the major wage earners will be shipped out in the summer? If so, these rumours about Cole to Tottenham are very worrying!
Parker, saying it all year. Upson does not seem to inspire his fellow players.
Parker is the MUSTARD!!!!
@col = thumbs up!
@HF = as usual must try harder...
Mind you HF you still manage to come up with the tabloid headlines - well done the gutter press!
Do the gutter press ask questions?
HR you know the score - gutter is what gutter does... you'll never change
Unfair, I changed my underpants in December!
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