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One Giant In One Giant Out For Hammers

nevillenixon's picture
Submitted by nevillenixon on Thu, 28/06/2018 - 08:48

Reece Oxford could be returning to Germany at the beginning of the season, but this time on a permanent basis with Borussia Monchengladbach defender Jannik Vestergaard moving in the opposite direction. The 6'5'' Dane has attracted interest from both Everton and Southampton, and at 25 years of age is in his prime. Vestergaard appeared 34 times across all competitions scoring three goals in the process for Monchengladbach, but was unable to get in to the Danish national team at the FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Oxford has long since expressed an interest in staying at Borussia Monchengladbach and is happy to play in the German League which obviously suits him more than the Premier League, it is a shame that he has never fulfilled his early promise wearing a Hammers shirt but successive managers have run the rule over him and found him to have not met their expectations. Judging by the current players being associated with possible moves to West Ham it appears that Manuel Pellegrini is assembling a team of giants in a similar vein to 'Sam Allardici's' promotion winning team!

Pellegrini has recognised what is required in order for other teams to have to show respect, and it seems the 'land of the giants' stature of the team will go a long way towards changing attitudes, for too long West Ham have been the 'whipping boys' for the Barclays Premier League elite, but things are 'aboot' to change. - Ed

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asheshammer's picture

However, they did not give up a goal in open play, and the only goal they gave up at all was a bogus VAR penalty to Australia. Their group was terrible except for France, however, and France had nothing to play for in the final group match. So, seeing that Vestergaard couldn't even make it into the side, I'm not particularly impressed by the opportunity. Oxford is still much younger, no? And his potential was, I think, better. Vestergaard again seems to me to be just the sort of signing Sullivan would be interested in: cheap, functional, defensive.

I'm surprised, Nev, that you think this is Pellegrini recognising what is required. We don't need more Allardici. We need to progress. We will keep Rice, I hope -- that's part of progression. And Issa Diop I think represents a good signing. But Vestergaard is not going to make us any harder for the elite to beat, mark my word. Things do not appear to be changing at all, but rather seem more the same than ever.

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nevillenixon's picture

The Allardici reference was purely regarding the height of players, west ham have been out muscled by opposing teams of late, the promotion winning team scared the living daylights out of the other teams before setting foot on the pitch. After all tall players can be seen better from across the running track!

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asheshammer's picture

To be honest, I think we are being taken for mugs again this summer (winter here, mate). There is no marquee signing. The "Bernard AND Anderson" pipe dream had some serious hallucinogenic properties, and the smoke has drifted off leaving Aaron Mooy and Hector Herrera in its place. Somehow we are supposed to think that because these players have "impressed" at the World Cup, they are going to make fantastic additions to West Ham. Mooy, I guarantee, is NOT quality. His corner kicks and crosses lack accuracy. He has no imagination in the final third. He played well through the middle of the park in the WC only because teams knew that Australia CANNOT SCORE from open play -- they were allowed to play through. Herrera may be a little better, but he is no world-beater, and not as good as Obiang in my opinion. And nobody is even mentioning that we've given up on Joao Mario. No Lanzini + No Mario = crap midfield.

I'm so sick of the bait and switch tactics. I wouldn't half be surprised to see Sullivan stock the team with world cup "favourites" and then sell off Antonio and Obiang at the close of the window just to balance the books.

And I'm not even going to mention Arnautovic and Rice ...

Signed,
FRUSTRATED

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152 users have voted.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Steer well clear of players in the World Cup! Even more so at this World Cup very few players have looked consistently good and there are enough decent players not at the World Cup that can improve us! I think ashes does have a good frustration to vent and it could easily work out to be true knowing this mob. My frustration is more likely to centre around the defensive side of our centre midfield! I'm simmering at the moment coming to the boil in August. But if we disregard this again I'm gonna go ape sh1t

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North Bank Hammer's picture

This is likely to be the best option. It would be great to have clever ball carrying defenders across the back line but that’s going to cost and maybe the plan is to get to that in stages. The alternative is get in a defender that’s past it but has the required skill set or follow one of the top six clubs if instant gratification is what’s required.

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asheshammer's picture

how long have SUGO been in charge? and isn't this the third season at the London stadium? Progress was promised, progress is what I want to see. You mention getting to something in stages. What are the stages of the last six or seven seasons? Where have we got to?

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North Bank Hammer's picture

There hasn't been much noticeable progress but probably enough on the way to get the fans onside and more importantly more breathing space away from a relegation battle. Sugo won't want to fall off the gravy train. We need another central defender but also need to fill the very expensive gap that the Lanzini injury has caused. A decent midfielder with pace won't be cheap either. As far as progress in the future goes my pick is shortly after 2023 when Sugo can sell and keep all the proceeds. What are your thoughts? PS glad your not swanning off to become a Citehpool Utd fanski

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asheshammer's picture

Even if we get relegated. Even if we drop to league one. Even if we float off like bubbles in the air. So you can "Bank" on that. Yeah, I guess I'm a bit sensitive because I've seen it all before and don't want to see it all over again. 2023 is a long time to wait. Some of us will be, well, OLD by that time, ha ha. But OK, if we're even a little better this season, I'll be glad. Just very cautious about the board, particularly Sullivan.

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142 users have voted.
North Bank Hammer's picture

I distrust Sullivan but I do trust in a pig that doesn't want to get his nose out of the trough and for that reason the short arm will find a way to where the funds lie in that overly deep pocket. Last season was too close for a piggy's comfort he won't want to "Bank" less. Now no instagraming selfies wearing your Manure shirt Ince style.

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140 users have voted.

I have to say I've checked all my usual sources and as yet no one has picked up on either of these deals so it could prove to be ahead of the game

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hammergirl's picture

calm down now...after all it is west ham and broken promises are to be expected,as for whom we do or don't sign we all no they are world class and injury free but once there monica is on the dotted line they turn to poop and get injury after injury...and Ashes its been sweltering hot for the past couple of weeks here enjoy your winter:-)

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asheshammer's picture

I'll take that chill pill now. The knockout stages of the world cup are coming up -- a good distraction. What will be will be, West Ham will still be in the Premier League at the end of the year and the sun will still rise tomorrow.

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128 users have voted.
Dartford Bhoy's picture

You are joking Nev, hes only played 7 times in 2 seasons. West Ham hardly used him and couldn't make the Reading first 11. I guess footie folk know better that me but if this kid is really that good why hasn't anyone given him a real chance?

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asheshammer's picture

Sports Illustrated, while not always correct, are not just any old red top. They are reporting, "According to various sources, Pellegrini has ... apparently decided that Marko Arnautovic, Javier Hernandez and Andy Carroll simply aren't the optimal mould of striker to take the Irons forward as they look to improve on their league position."

https://www.si.com/soccer/2018/06/29/west-ham-join-chelsea-and-spurs-sum...

Anyone heard any more on Marko? If he isn't the sort of striker to take us forward, I don't know who is!

By the way, I'm also seeing such headlines as "the ideal midfielder to partner Kouyate", and "West Ham MUST sign Stoke's Giannelli Imbula this Summer" -- not your Pastore, Mario, or Bernard type of players, to say the least. I was hoping we'd sell Kouyate ...

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66 users have voted.
North Bank Hammer's picture

Yes we can always do better up front not many clubs could say differently. We're not too badly off in that department. There are bigger wholes to fill elsewhere in the team/squad such as midfield. There is a shout for having another striker with AC and his treatment room season ticket but shouldn't be a big spend. This should be an opportunity for the much fabled Pel network uncovering little known gems that can be molded into world stars. Given the prices I've seen I'm believing this less all the time.

I'm too skeptical about Kouyate doing a job as a box to box engine player but I suppose Pel could get more out of him, probably not enough though. This is where some money needs to be spent.

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121 users have voted.
asheshammer's picture

So I'd keep Arnautovic AND Chicharito. Carroll can go, but there may be no takers. Even if he stays, he's worth about 6 points in the table despite all the injury time. Hard to argue too much with that. So the money is needed elsewhere. What got me rattled about the SI article was that reading between the lines, £40-50M for Arnautovic, Sullivan thinking we could do all our transfer business for that amount and still stay in the EPL, etc. etc.

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143 users have voted.

Hernandez was very poor v Brazil. It reminded me of his West Ham performances. Did very little to get into the game and make an impact. Second half virtual passenger. I'm not sure West Ham or indeed Mexico could accommodate a passenger in their teams. I get the impression he sulks on the pitch if he isn't doing well.

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106 users have voted.

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