West Ham United's second longest current player and product of the once legendary Hammers academy, James Tomkins, is on his way to London and Barclays Premiership League rivals Crystal Palace in what seems to those not necessarily in the know as a bargain basement £10 Million transfer deal. 'Tomka has been involved with West Ham for nigh on twenty years, and his departure is seen as a negative inditement of the modern age to many supporters who see 'one of their own' coming through the ranks as a glowing endorsement of a halcyon day loved view of all things claret & blue. However in the grim but affluent reality of today's upper echelon of football, money and agents talk! A little discontent here a little discontent there, it doesn't matter, they still earn an indecently disproportianatte living from moving their clients around. According to his agent James Tomkins needs game time at this stage in his career, and who is to argue with that? It is quite obvious that Slaven Bilic has decided that 'Tomka', loyal servant and warrior for the cause that he has always been, is sadly worthy of being the sacrificial lamb that will free up the place that logic and Reece Oxford demands of the team ahead of next season. In an ideal world James Tomkins would have remained part of a squad that can realistically cement a top six place and even push for an unlikely Champion's League spot, but to reach that 'upper level' it is essential that Hammer's retain the services of young players the calibre of Reece Oxford instead of having to sell them to the ' big four' ( who ever they are now!) as has been the case in the past. James Tomkins will leave with the fond affection of all right minded supporters firmly with him, with the exception of when Palace face West Ham of course! - Ed
Comments
To me he was an exciting up
To me he was an exciting up and coming player 7 years ago when he was on the brink of the first team. Somehow he has never improved and still makes a few howlers one week and is what you want in a defender the next playing out of his skin. Basically a frustrating player who could do much better!
He has had his problems off the field and is not renown for being able to pass an accurate ball more than a few yards (according to Julian Dicks a few years ago in his KUMB blog before he joined West Ham again as a coach).
Sad to see him go but if we are going to challenge for a top 4 spot him going leaves a place for perhaps a better defender they may have lined up or it's time for Reece Oxford as Neville thinks
Mixed feelings
Sorry to see one of our own leave the club but if we are honest to ourselves he was not a top prem player. Good defensively but lacking in the attack at set pieces, often won the header but rarely threatened the goal, in the modern game this is a prerequisite. IMO its not the best position for Reece Oxford, see him graduating as the holding midfielder.