Following a cheeky bid from former boss Alan Pardew for defender James Tomkins, a poultry 2.5 million pound bid which was promptly turned down by co-owners David Gold and Sullivan and labelled “laughable”. I have decided to evaluate the team and give them a value. I will look at the eleven players on show in the 1-0 win over Barnsley last weekend.
In goal we have former England number 1 Robert Green- The 31 year old stopper has been in superb form for the Hammers this season, making important saves, none more so than this weekend from point blank range. Many fans arrange the country, not just West Ham fans I hasten to add are calling for a recall for the stopper, following his nightmare world cup campaign in 2010 which has led to him being frozen out. But unfortunately unless the Hammers can tie him down to a new contract, the club could risk losing him for a small sum or worse for free in the summer. My value: 4 million. Probable value: 2 million– the reason I say this is the contract situation, which could lead to the Iron’s having to sell for a lot less than they could do to receive a fee rather than losing him for free in the summer.
On Saturday it was Julien Faubert that lined up at right back after Guy Demel’s long term injury and with Joey O’Brien being suspended. Faubert nicknamed ‘TGV’ for his speed has I think we all agree found his feet and his level in the Npower Championship. Faubert who was signed by Alan Curbishley in 2007 from Bordeaux is a right midfielder by trade but often plays at the back. At right midfield he has excelled this season claiming five assists. Faubert is another player who has his contract running out so is unlikely to raise a huge fee. I would value him at 1.5 million. However I would suggest it would be closer to 500k.
At centre back it was James Tomkins who was the reason for writing this post, the centre back is attracting huge interest as he continues to excel in the Championship at the heart of the Hammers back four. Tomkins aged just 22 has played superbly so much so a bid from Newcastle was received last week of just 2.5 million which was laughed off by the Hammers board and fans alike. Tomkins an Essex lad, who came through the academy, is a fans favourite for his effort and his rise through ranks. Tomkins also bagged a goal against Watford this season on the way to a 4-0 West Ham away win. My value of the player 6-7 million, my reason for this is the fact he is an English centre half and when you look at the transfer fees paid nowadays, for example Phil Jones at around 16.5 million, now I am not saying Tomkins is anywhere near Jones’ ability but being English means his transfer fee must rise.
James Tomkins centre half partner was George McCartney who found himself in an unfamiliar position after an injury to Abdoulaye Faye in the pre match warm up. Now ‘Linda’ isn’t ours to sell or make money on. In fact he is on loan from Sunderland whose fans don’t want to see him back in a hurry, McCartney will be available on a free in the summer and it will be interesting to see whether Big Sam decides to sign the left back or not. For me George has a very small chance of creating much of a sell on fee should the Hammers sign him. If the Hammers were to sign him permanently in the summer I can only value him at around 500k.
At left back was an exciting young talent in former Hammer Steve Potts son, Dan. Potts at just 17 years old impressed on debut, after being informed just 10 minutes before kick-off that he would be making his debut in the claret and blue. But his assured confident performance made young Potts look well above his years. Mind you having been what he has been through his assuredness and maturity shouldn’t come as a shock. Potts aged just 12 was told he was suffering from leukaemia, he recovered aged 15 and got back into football and has now made his debut for a Championship club in West Ham has shown how far the youngster has come on. So to value him on one game is hard, but if he continues to look assured and calm he could become a future premier league star. His speed and passing range is very impressive, so the potential of a bright future is looking very probable. Current value: 1-2 million, Potential value: 5-6 million.
The Midfield three:
When West Ham signed their marquee signing Kevin Nolan, the expectation was high and the midfielder with an eye for a goal was something the Hammers had missed. Nolan has been very much hit and miss all season but there is no doubting his credentials as captain. Nolan’s determination and as captain he oozes respect from his players. Allardyce knows Nolan inside out and knows his ability, home fans have only seen this at Upton Park in two games Burnley and Derby in both games he scored and showed his pride at playing for the club. Following the defeat against Burnley, Nolan gained my respect; the player laid on the ground head in hands gutted after full time something you would never see under Matthew Upson’s reign as captain. Now his value is tricky to tell, as I personally believe he is more than likely to see out his career at the Hammers following his summer arrival. But if he was to leave within the next 2-3 year, his value would be around 2-4 million in my opinion, but his probable value is bound to be a lot less than that when you consider his age, and with pundits suggesting he has lost his pace, I would say his market value is around 1-3 million.
Now when the Hammers signed Papa Bouba Diop it was seen as a typical Big Sam signing, big and bulky. But in my opinion the signing of the ‘wardrobe’ has been inspired he is cool calm and collected on the ball and breaks up play superbly. He even chipped in with a goal last weekend with a powerful header that left Luke Steele with no chance. The man mountain in the centre of the park is experienced has an eye for a pass, and is a tough tackler. Now Papa’s value isn’t going to break the bank, he was signed for a free from AEK Athens so his resale value will be minimal but the chance of a contract extension will be an interesting decision for Big Sam to make, I wouldn’t of thought Papa would be as affective in Premier League due to the speed of the game. So to value him is impossible and I would predict he would leave at the end of the season.
Mark Noble, the Canning town Pele has excelled this season in the Championship which has led to Premier league interest from Fulham. He has been rumoured to be a 4 million pound target for the Cottagers but I wouldn’t expect the Hammers to accept that bid for a boy who is West Ham through and through and would run through walls for the club. However Noble who at times can be slow and his tackles can be mistimed, but in West Ham fans eyes he can do no wrong “for he is West Ham”. Noble’s set pieces when injury prone Matthew Taylor is out can be vital and his penalties are as trustworthy as they come. Noble’s value for me is 6 million, as at times he can look like a world beater in the championship and comfortably our best player. His probable value is 5 million just 1 million of Fulham’s supposed bid.
The Giants:
John Carew started in a front three in which was probably the biggest front 3 in the country on Saturday with Cole and Piquionne. Carew is on a one year deal following his release from Aston Villa, Carew finishing and hold up player is still there for all to see. He has scored 2 goals this campaign against Crystal Palace and Blackpool respectively. His link up play with little Sam Baldock is promising but it is unlikely the player will be here past next season.
Carlton Cole is West Ham second longest serving player behind Mark Noble and is a firm fans favourite. Cole may be frustrating at times, but his talent and speed and determination is to be admired. Big Sam uses Carlton in a ‘super sub’ role and he has impressed off the bench, Cole is the clubs top scorer with 7 goals. Cole is committed to the cause at West Ham, he has had chances to leave but remains West Ham’s number 9 and should the Hammers be promoted and he continues to show his worth, I can see no reason to why he cannot receive a call up to the England squad for Euro 2012. The value of the player could rocket, for now though while the Hammers remain in the Championship his value for now being in my opinion is around 5 million.
Freddie Piquionne is quickly becoming West Ham lazy boy chair. He is slow on the ground; although he is good in the air, on the ground however he is often frustrating and takes a touch when he should perhaps shoot. On his day he can be a world beater you only have to look back to last season’s game versus Spurs and Fulham where he impressed. I must admit though he has given me my favourite moment of the season, at the Ricoh arena. There were 6,000 expectant fans and the scores were locked at 1-1 with time running out when a Faubert cross was completely missed by Piquionne only for the rebound to cannon off his knee and trickle into the bottom corner, to send us into raptures, a truly hilarious moment. To Freddie’s value, I think he is worth around a million pound, as stated he can be a very good player on his day and a struggling Premier League team could do a lot worse than to sign him up and get him motivated he could get some important goals.
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