Now the dust has settled on what was a wholly unagreeable start to the season, West Ham fans are asking pertinent questions about the squad assembled for the coming campaign. One of the main sources of confusion is what plans are realistically in place for Winston Reid, it is easy to forget that not that long ago Reid's name was one of the first that managers put on their team sheets, not only that but the powerful New Zealander was coveted by various clubs, including Arsenal and their neighbours!
To head off potential suitors, in March 2015 Reid was handed a new six and a half year with a £70,000 basic wage, and as has happened to so many Hammers players in the past then missed 17 games of that season due to hamstring injuries. He then played quite consistently but still missed games on a regular basis due to various 'niggles' which meant he was missing ten games per season, not forgetting the games required to return to full match fitness after each injury.
Unfortunately, through no fault of his own Reid's next injury was a big one, having just returned from injury he was knocked unconscious on March the 3rd 2018 during the match against Crystal Palace, falling awkwardly and unnaturally resulting in a massive knee injury that has essentially kept him out of the game since, a total of 484 days and counting!
While there have been encouraging statements from the club outlining 'Winnie's ' potential return to fitness from injury the messages are rather mixed. One day he is progressing well ahead of being 'eased' back in to the first team squad, the next he is 'cautiously' being reintegrated to the club's training regime, which is essentially the polar opposite of the first statement.
The assumption was that Winston Reid would play a few matches with the U-23's in order to get himself match fit, but he has made no such appearances, which beggars the question why not? It seems that the club is not happy unless there are at least two or three high earners languishing with the medical team instead of actually playing and training, it is to be hoped that these events will become a thing of the past and that the players in question can be moved on, even at a loss!
This article is not meant to be an 'assault' on Reid, far from it, he was always a very popular player here at the Org, but with the squad restrictions now imposed by FIFA the club cannot afford to have places taken up by 'sick notes', and much as we admire Reid unfortunately he doesn't represent good value, furthermore his injury problems aren't necessarily going to go away either. Great servant in the past with some memorable performances, but the club has to move on now. - Ed
