So, three players have gone and the first new recruit is on his way. I'm not overly excited about the prospect of Zarate, but he has to be better than Maiga, Cole, Downing and Jarvis, doesn't he? The fact that he can play wide but can also score goals points to the direction in which we are heading: no change in the 4-3-3 tactics, just a change in personnel. I hope somebody has told the Argentinian that his first job is to track the opposition full back!
Meanwhile, suggestions that we are prepared to loan out Downing tells you everything you need to know about the failure of that particular deal. At the time he was signed, I expressed deep reservations about the deal, not least because, with Carroll side-lined, our priority had to be a striker and not another winger, but, as ever, the Claret & Blue Klan tried to shout me down. One season and one goal on, the folly of the deal is surely obvious to everybody. Let's hope Zarate does a bit better than that!
The latest talk is linking us with Gareth Barry and that would be as bloody stupid as the Downing signing. I have huge regard for the former England man, but he is no spring chicken and given the need for pace and goals, Barry must be the wrong man at the wrong time surely. Yes he is available on a free but so what? The same applies to Ince, and despite his genes, he would surely be a more exciting recruit. Tell me, what threat would a central midfield of Noble, Barry and Diame pose exactly?
So, Zarate is a start, but if we are serious about a top 10 finish, we have to unearth better gems than him and ignore players like Barry.
Don't you think the whole squad is folly? West ham have no more chance of signing Tom Ince than they have of getting Ross McCormack. Inter milan or a pokey little backstreet club an inevitable relegation struggle? Mmmmm,,that's a tough one. And Gareth Barry? He's had a great season at Everton so why in the name of god would he sign up too? Time to be pragmatic not delusional.
ReplyDeleteBarry is not a long ball player, he keeps the ball, yes he is defence minded but he would be influential in a attacking style due to his ability in keeping possession. Great signing for me. As for Downing he needs to support the team with more goals, he has the ability. With more freedom he could shine.Tom Ince...for me is overated and is still for me a potential talent not quality. What has he done? Did not shine at Palace.
ReplyDeleteLet's get realistic. Sullivan doesn't have the money to fund a team which can challenge for a top 6 position. And even if he did, Sam A isn't the manager who can attract and motivate players of a quality to achieve it. Change of names we will get. But a change in style and league position? Just can't see it. Unfortunately
ReplyDeleteCampo. Djorkiaf. Okocha. Hierro. Anelka. You might want to think about your last comment about attracting quality or should I say world class players.
ReplyDeleteHate all this rumours and cheap paper talk concerning transfers but for what it's worth Barry would be a great signing for us simply because at central midfield we have been wide open for years! He would close this yarning gap and his passing and distribution would help noble and the team no end! But till he dings I won't be getting my hopes up! COYI!
ReplyDeleteWe need someone to score goals - zarate 19 goals last season, plus looks like he posseses the flair we all crave.
ReplyDeleteAs for barry, he has just had a superb season for Everton. A free transfer on £65k per week is an absolute bargain for that standard of player. We played matt Taylor (£40k per week) at centre mid for the second half of the season and there is not comparison in those two, plus barry only one year older so not much difference in time left in their careers. The same can be said for lescott. Lescott is the same age as collins, wants £50k, collins on about £40k, is far superior defender and also don't just lump it forward like collins does.
The three of them each are an improvement on what we currently have.
For an increase in £35k pw in wages you can have lescott and barry rather than collins and Taylor. Even the most biased whu fan would not stick with collins and Taylor over 2 player that were in the England team just 2 years ago.
If we're willing to pay Barry up to £65k per week, then surely lampard would be a better option. He was given a hard time by the hammers fans but lets face it his stats speak for themselves, attack minded and could see his boyhood club as a fitting place to retire.
ReplyDeletePerfect captain experience which means nolan can do one, he controls a field but more importantly he has more goal threat than barry or diame or nolan.
Our weakest link is Nolan and pound for pound noble isn't much better if you compare to cleverly Wiltshire and we lost most games from midfield being rubbish
ReplyDeleteI understand noble is Mr westham however he's not produced in years and if you love westham the change is needed
If you disagree then clearly you don't want progression for whufc
Zzzzz ,,fucking boring Neville ,, no one wants to come to wank spam to then get relegated ,,smell the coffee nev , wake up
ReplyDeleteSimon, Noble is not the problem at west ham and was our best player last season by a country mile. I fail to see how noble can produce better then he is in the current set up. Noble could easily play for a top 8 team and progress to be an even better player then he is now cuz he would play in a team full of movement and creativity.
ReplyDeleteWhere have you been HF?
ReplyDeleteLet's get Scot Parker back as well!
My son who is a loyal Arsenal fan and knows all the players in the World was hoping that Zarate would sign for Arsenal as he is top class. From some videos I watched I think he may be right. It is not easy to be the top scorer in Argentina and he was last year you know with 20 goals. How many goals have Downing and Jarvis scored together? 3-4 perhaps and that is over two years for Matt. I am not worried about Zarate. I am worried if Diame leaves us though. He has not been utilized by Allardyce this year as he kept playing out of position (on the wings).
ReplyDelete