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Left Right Back In A Centre Back Conundrum

nevillenixon's picture
Submitted by nevillenixon on Mon, 15/08/2022 - 15:53

When David Moyes returned as West Ham manager for the 2nd time he must have been all too aware of the legendary Hammers new signing injury curse, so as a person known for carrying out his due diligence to 'crime scene investigation' levels it should have come as no surprise when his marquee signing Nayef Aguerd promptly got injured in his first game for the club.

Moyes and head of recruitment Rob Newman were possibly in denial regarding the 'Hammers curse', well they are aware of it now in a big way as their centre back options are disappearing faster than a Millennium Falcon being pursued by a death star!

Fans are angry that Issa Diop effectively 'downed tools' in order to force a move through to Fulham, but it should be remembered that Diop was firmly on the for sale list until Nayef Aguerd's unfortunate injury, furthermore Diop was constantly 'dissed' with regards to being selected for the first team, only being called upon in emergencies. When Diop did actually get to play he performed as admirably AS ANY PLAYER WHO RARELY GETS ANY PLANNED GAME TIME!

So why would Diop want to stay at the club knowing full well that his starting position in the pecking order would drop like a stone once Aguerd, Dawson and Ogbonna return from their respective injuries? Please don't bang the loyalty drum regarding Diop, he could have handled the situation more diplomatically but at the end of the day moving to Fulham was the right move for HIM, loyalty to one club being a trait of a 'Noble' past.

Those who have been bemoaning how the club haven't brought in a new additional centre back are forgetting that who ever signs will be aware of 'Moyes's Boys syndrome' and would probably seek assurances regarding game time ahead of ANY move other than that of a short term loan.

The club are currently linked with a plethora of centre backs, the most intriguing of which is Marseille's Croatian centre back Duje Ćaleta-Car. Ironically had Nikola Vlasic remained at the club it might have aided the recruitment of Ćaleta-Car, it remains to be seen if Vlasic's feed back from his time at the club was positive or negative, however most feel it will be the latter of the two.

Perhaps it is time for David Moyes to do a 'factory reset' regarding new players, after all he IS at a big club now, really! - Ed

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who would you get to replace him then

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12 users have voted.

I wouldn't mind Warburton & Nolan as assistant manager,don't think they would do any worse

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16 users have voted.
boogerscaravan's picture

I'd have Mo Po all day long, a return to London and with no loyalty to the spuds. Be great if he came, the prem is worse off without him..

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10 users have voted.

its hard lads but we must keep the faith in moyes at least until after the world cup be point less to get rid of him now (look at man u) we were unlucky at forest .Got to find another penalty taker though Declan just not the one what about trying cresswell

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12 users have voted.

We've been here thousands of times! But I'll put my faith back in Moyes when he starts with a team with Benny,Cornet,Downes & Scamacca...
When we have either Ants or Bowen up top with Scam,when he gives Souscek,Rice,Cress et a good kick up the Jacksie! Watched 'one of our own' recently could do with Nobes in the dressing room at the moment

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9 users have voted.

You're right mate! But I bet give it time the new players are going to get pissed off without a start,look at Benny it's taken moyes 2 seasons to realise his talent & he wants to sell him...moyes has gone right down in my estimation,he moans we need new players but he doesn't play them! 5 mins is not good enough

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10 users have voted.

I agree mate,i dont get his strategy at times,Scamaca is a striker,so let him strike,put Antonio back on the left,i really cant understand how Bowen the other day wasnt a main player,it was the same against City,last season he was constantly on the ball,going forward making it happen,has he lost heart with the lack of ambition behind the scenes,i hope not,Cornet Scamaca and Flynn need to be infiltrated,we needed these but he seems to just be using them as squad numbers.

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9 users have voted.

Benny has spent 2 years learning to play in a Moyes team and in the Premiership.
He's flattered to deceive for much of his game time with a few spectacular highlights in-between.
In 2021/22 he played 44 games - 11 goals - 6 assists but gave the ball away how many times!?

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9 users have voted.

Its as if hes re living the glory of the past 2 seasons ,he wants his favourite players to keep goin on forever ,i hate to say it but fourcandles hasnt made the grade ,got the heart of a lion but something in the skills dept is lacking , Lanz to is so inconstant ,and as for Ant in my opinion he would do well to seek another club ,preferably drop a division ,moyes is making a cart horse out of him.

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14 users have voted.

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