Even ‘Big Sam’ Allardyce could not bare to sign his Icelandic striker, Eidur Gudjohnsen who ended up signing for Greek side AEK Athens. The Hammers gaffa said that he felt the deal was not in the best interest of the club and reports suggest that Gudjohnsen was not very keen on joining West Ham in the first place. Thankfully, because I was beginning to worry about the potential tag of the new Bolton Wanderers tag being labelled upon us at Upton Park this season by signing another ex-Bolton/Allardyce player.
‘You what? Matty Taylor has just signed?’ Ok, so for this season maybe we’re going to be called WHW, West Ham Wanderers but if it means a successful season in the Championship, winning the League or coming close second then I’ll be happy with that but this Bolton thing has to go.
Ok, just over 2 mill for Taylor might look like bad business but he’s a proven player with experience. We need a solid left winger plus he’s pretty good at set-pieces which will be an asset.
It only increases the confidence I have in Big Sam and this Hammers team to steam roll through the Championship this season. Yes, I know we have some tough competition in our way with a host of teams in the division looking to secure promotion but I honestly think that we are the best of the bunch!
So far, we’ve only seen the deadwood from the playing staff go, like Kieron Dyer and Danny Gabbidon who have joined Queens Park Rangers’ physio room. Good luck boys! We still have a core of youngsters who are good enough for the Championship and the Premier League in my eyes, the likes of James Tomkins, Jack Collison, Zavon Hines and more. Add the experience of Kevin Nolan and Abdoulaye Faye and Matty Taylor to the mix and we’re laughing.
Plus, Scott Parker and Carlton Cole still have not gone anywhere. There could be a chance of them playing for the Hammers in the Championship, at least ’til January which can only add to the strength in depth of the Hammers squad.
Rumours say that Big Sam is after two more signings, the likes of Reading’s Shane Long with an £8 million bid rejected. Whilst I’ll be bloody amazed if Gold and Sullivan fork out ten mill for a striker, it’d be a done deal for us getting promotion and making a fist of it in the Premier League the following season, just look how Newcastle United did it. Easy.
I really can’t wait for this season to start, ok so West Ham won’t be playing the big boys but we’re going to be one of the favourites in this league and have some big games to play, our first game against Cardiff is going to be lively. Bring on the Leeds, Millwall, Leicester and the rest of them. Up The Irons!
