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The Elephant In The Room Is Right Back!

nevillenixon's picture
Submitted by nevillenixon on Tue, 07/01/2020 - 12:02

Although Panto season is officially over, there are always a few 'shows' that keep on running, and 'Hamstrung United' has been such a hit that it could continue on it's run for weeks, even months to come!

Normally the audience are drawn it to a situation where they are forced to shout out en masse "look behind you", as the wicked witch enters the stage. In the case of 'Hamstrung United', the wicked witch hasn't been replaced by Lady Brady, but has been usurped by the 'Elephant in the Room' known as the 'Hammer'.

The Hammer has certainly made it's presence felt throughout West Ham United football club, players have flocked to attend the inaugural 'test days' in their droves, the latest to sign up for a lengthy course is Ryan Fredericks who passed the entry exam by 'pulling up' during the hard fought victory over Gillingham in the FA Cup.

Fredericks was replaced by the veteran Pablo Zabaleta, who put in a great, if slightly creaking performance, a Premiership side would have ripped him to pieces! The problem is that alternative options are thin on the ground for what is a crucial position, other than Zaba, the only other 'genuine' right back available is Ben Johnson.

Johnson who is 20 years old later this month is an ideal option, he made his main first team debut at the Etihad against Manchester City, and performed with aplomb. His progress has been hampered by, you guessed it, Hamstring issues, which have taken their time to resolve. Originally a right winger, Johnson has the perfect athleticism required to 'burn' up and down the flanks and his availability will complement Fredericks once he has recovered.

Manuel Pellegrini had many critics, but his two players for every position mantra is as true as it has ever been, bulking up a porous defence should, and more than likely is, one of David Moyes first priorities as he looks to strengthen his squad during the January transfer window. Relying on a 20 year old with very little first team experience, or on a veteran with almost too much experience to fill such an important role, is a recipe for disaster, and West Ham do disaster extremely well.

Moyes has begun his recruitment by, intelligently adding a 'proper' back up keeper in the form of ex-hammer Darren Randolph from Middlesbrough, if he can add an additional right back and left back, he would only then need another central midfielder to make the squad much more balanced, as it is currently top heavy with 'creative' players like Anderson, Fornals and Lanzini.

It might seem sacrilegious, but if a decent offer came in for the 'little jewel', Manuel Lanzini, then it should be seriously considered, because Lanzini is now a shadow of the player he once was, the season long injury that he sustained while training with the Argentine national team was potentially career ending, he has never looked the same since, and judging from his performances looks unlikely to rekindle the dynamism with which he once played.

The same thing happened to Michael Owen when he sustained a similar injury, he came back, but never returned to his previous best, unfortunately Lanzini seems to be on the same course.

West Ham United have, as is usual during the window, been 'linked' with just about every player that (a) has a pulse and (b) is of interest to Everton or Tottenham, nothing changes. - Ed

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before EVERY game by EVERY player will eradicate EVERY hamstring injury in our squad, and I mean every...
If they do said Yoga and pull up then they haven't been doing it right. At 56 yrs of age I work 50 odd hours a week as a carpenter doing building work down here in the intense heat and we always seem to do decking in the Summer months, i.e. NOW and its no fun...with yoga after a days graft I feel like a 25 year old. If the coaches don't know this already then they are fcking dinosaurs.
Try an app called Yogaia, live and recorded classes will give them all they need. Pay me a motza and I'll do the classes in my leopardskin mankini

These soppy piss want injuries are a bain within our ranks and need to be stopped...anyone keen to back me...?

COYI

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62 users have voted.

If the rumour is true, then it looks like Diop will be off to Chelsea. Originally Spuds were after him, but Lampard is the favourite to sign him. Why on earth are we getting rid of players that are talented? But based on a short bad spell they are pushed into the sidelines, and then shown the exit door. I am not too optimistic in this transfer window that West Ham will acquire any quality whatsoever. The only time that we last did so, was to steal Mario on a brief loan. Otherwise, nothing but dead weights were targeted and they proved to be an albatross round the necks of the team. Quality players are rumoured to join, but end up at clubs higher up the ladder.

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66 users have voted.

All you have to do is read the number of posts in the media regarding Diop being targeted by Maurinho and now even Chelsea being involved. The last time I saw these many articles, was when Payet was dropped from the starting lineup only to leave in the transfer window. Last year it was Arnatouvic, and the rumours were true that he wanted to go. So that is why it is concerning. Not "condemning" the club as you seem to falsely allege, but raising causes for pessimism in the transfer window. Just hoping that it will die down and expecting a positive response from Diop about his future at West Ham.

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66 users have voted.

Maybe I can rephrase it as, why on earth can we not hold on to some of the more talented players? This was just stated in frustration, as most Hammers feel the same. Look at the History of talented players that were either acquired or have come through the academy. The very talented ones have moved on, though we have had very dedicated ones like Brooking and Noble. This club will never move up the higher steps of the ladder, if that occurs on a regular basis during the transfer window. Hopefully, we can hold on to some of the key players and build from there. Though I am very skeptical about it. Again, I am not condemning the club. If the rumour is true with the agreement of Benefica' young talented Gedson Fernandes, then this is one positive forward, as Chelsea were targeting him as well.

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67 users have voted.

Yes, talented players eventually move on. Players like Hazard and Eriksen have been with the club for numerous seasons. A player like Diop has barely had two seasons and could be on the move just when he has started to be a key defender. Payet was a great capture. But just when the club looked like it was ready to move to the next level, results seemed to tank, and restlessness within the squad saw the exit of Payet. Same with the Arnatouvic scenario. A talent like Gedson Fernandes looked like a definite signing, apparently Spuds have now stepped in to snap him up. Unless West ham can hold on to key players like Rice, Fabianski and even Antonio, it is unlikely that a top six finish will be in the books in the near future.

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61 users have voted.

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