West Ham wanted MORE for Parker than Real Madrid were asking for Van der Vaart; it was a no brainer really wasn't it? Suddenly all the bits of the jigsaw fall into place. THAT's why the contract extension was only signed by Parker AFTER the window closed.
Still, Scotty is playing very well. But if Tottenham were to offer us a straight swap in January, I would take Van der Vaart. And if Tottenham were to offer Van der Vaart and £4million, even Parker's biggest fan would say thank you very much! And that, in effect, is the choice 'Arry had - Parker for £12million plus, or Van der Vaart for £8million? Tough call; not really when you think about it!
Was poor against West Ham last week. Missed a penalty in midweek. Gets sent off in same game and that with a ref who was Tottenhams twelfth man. Scores a couple and it's jump on the get rid of Parker theme again. Sounds about right.
ReplyDeleteVan der Vaart was poor against West Ham last week? He was Tottenham's stand out player surely? Didn't he force Green into two good saves?
ReplyDeleteI think that Van Der Vaart is a very good player and Harry did very well to secure him. He is a different player than Parker. Parker is a better hold up player (he can get the ball glued to his feet like no other). Vaart is better all round midfielder and more enterprising going forward. But if you put Parker together with Hitz (whenever he finally comes back) the end result will be much better for West Ham. The two complement each other so well and I expect that West Ham will move up to a new level with both Parker and Hitz playing.
ReplyDeleteHF, you are always looking and talking a lot about Spurs. Are you by any chance a Spuds sympathiser?
Yes I am a Spurs sympathiser Sav, in the sense that I respect all clubs - Man Utd, Arsenal under Wenger, Spurs, West Ham, Liverpool of old, Chelsea under Sexton, QPR featuring Bowles, Francis, Given, Thomas and co - who try to play the game the right way. If we leave aside the rivalry, there is a huge amount to respect at Tottenham. They have always played good football and when they recruited a man who put defence against attack to manage them - George Graham - a large body of the fan base were opposed to the appointment, in the same way that I was opposed to Curbishley. Despite playing "pretty" football, Tottenham also have this wonderful habit of winning things too. Qualification for the Champions League last season was a fantastic achievement and, lo and behold, they have kicked off their Champions League challenge impressively.
ReplyDeleteSo yes, I respect Tottenham and am mature enough to admit that respect. Do I support them? Absolutely not. Would I rather they succeed than Arab financed Man City - absolutely yes. I accept that Tottenham spend big in relation to ourselves but I think Modrich is still their most expensive purchase at £16million. When you look at their squad, they have invested their money wisely, not spent it like it is going out of fashion aka Man City.
Modric! Why do I keep putting the h on his name? Derrrr!
ReplyDeleteI think Sav makes a good point, HF. They are indeed different sorts of players and I too think that when Hitz is fit, their partnership should allow Hitz to do his thing as a more attacking midfielder with Scot in the holding role.
ReplyDeleteThe price you quote (£12m) can be seen as SuGo honoring their pledge to supporters rather than a realistic expected price in my view. They had said that Parker would not be sold at any price. It will never be known what actual price they would have accepted!
Van der Vaart is in a rich vein of form just now, no doubt. Parker is Mr Consistency and is therefore arguably the safer bet in the medium to longer term.
Think is, Parker looks much better as a box to box player and I believe Noble is more suited to the holding role. The original plan was clearly to use three in centre midfield - Hitz, Noble and Parker - with two of Dyer, Barerra and Obinna as wide men, and one of Cole or Piquionne as the lone front man. Given the way Piquionne and Obinna are playing as a front pair, Avram may be having a rethink however.
ReplyDeleteRe-think indeed. I don't see Piq or Cole as likely to be effective as a lone front man. Playing that way necessitates a 15-20 goal return and neither look likely to yield that - particularly Cole.
ReplyDeleteSo, I do hope Avram soes have a plan B when the Hit man is fit.
I was disappointed in Berrera yesterday but that said I still would persist with him for a while yet.
parker
ReplyDeleteYou were wrong about Parker and it irks you so now this Van der Vaart arse kissing session. You are such a prat.
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