Editor’s Note: We at LWOS are always looking to add passionate sports fans to our team. We are pleased to have Tony join the #LastWordArmy, and look forward to his coverage on West Ham United in the “Claret and Blue Report”.
Not so long-ago, West Ham had a deal in place to sign Neymar and even his Father had pushed for his then 18-year-old son to join West Ham in an offer that was rumoured to be in the region of £16,000,000. The deal as per usual, fell through as you already know, but at present I’m reasonably satisfied, on the back of last year’s impressive 10th placed Premier League finish, so there is still reason to be optimistic.
Fans are glad that West Ham are aspiring for big things running up to the Christening of the Olympic Stadium.
I remain skeptically uncertain that I agree with Sam Alladyce’s direct style, but nevertheless he has my backing as a supporter. Initially, I shall defend Alladyce because recently his West Ham team have been labelled as a ‘long-ball team’ and have been paralleled to Stoke City. This is a discredit to the Hammers and a disservice to Alladyce. Admittedly, West Ham often play the ball long, but they also work the ball well and often come up with stunning team goals.
The signing of Andy Carroll is also tough for me to judge. The £15 million price-tag is only comprehendible when compared to the ridiculous £35 million Liverpool paid for him – remind me to laugh at them later. His Anfield days were limited and he has shown signs of promise for West Ham – notching some good goals last season and showing some great hold-up play.
These publicised stories create discrepancies amongst fans that begin to question West Ham as a club and right now I am heavily concerned that my team may become a laughing stock. I say this because of the events of the existing transfer window. We have been linked to incredibly talented players – including Wilfried Bony, Romelu Lukaku and Massimo Ambrosini – but in realistic terms, we haven’t come close to signing any of those players.
Reports recently surfaced that we are clost to signing Zapata, which would be fantastic, however I wouldn’t be surprised to see this fall through.
It would be an excellent move for West Ham to sign such a promising starlet to compliment Carroll, but I just feel we’re becoming linked with almost every player.
The signing of Joe Cole in January was very pleasing for most West Ham fans – getting a local talent to return to his boyhood club was huge for the supporters and it was a shame to see his homecoming falter in anti-climactic fashion after a series of recurring injuries.
Next season I have no doubt that the ever reliant Kevin Nolan will continue his exploits and I feel he’s been one of our outstanding performers since he signed for the club.
Mohamed Diame is a player we must keep if we want to keep improving and I think I speak on behalf of all West Ham fans when I say his box-to-box play is phenomenal and I think his tagline of the ‘cheap Yaya Toure’ is justified.
Winston Reid is a better player than many top four club players and it is also pivotal West Ham hold on to the young vice-captain.
With the Olympic Stadium due to house West Ham in 2016, exciting prospects are ahead of the Claret and Blue Army.
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