West Ham have so far been linked with an endless list of players since the transfer window re-opened on August 1st with Juventus wingers Eljero Elia and Milos Krasic, as well as Wolverhampton Wanderers pair Matt Jarvis and Michael Kightly, all being linked. Do you see the pattern? So it brings me no surprise to mention another name in the same position, Matthew Etherington.
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For years now we have been crying out for a natural left sided midfielder worthy of wearing the famous claret and blue, someone who is capable of delivering accurate crosses for the likes of Carlton Cole. The truth is we haven’t had that sort of quality since the Etherington days. However, last season Matty Taylor performed very well and he was a revelation at times, but could soon find his place at risk with rumours of the once admired wing wizard eared for a return to Upton Park.
Etherington is currently plying his trade for Premiership rivals Stoke City and is supposedly a target for the “Hammers” who he played for between 2003 and 2009 before being sold, due to off the field incidences with gambling habits.
At the age of 30 would the once “Hammer of the year” be a good option to go for? In terms of Premiership experience and consistency, yes. But how long is he going to be capable of keeping it up? The more suitable option may be to attempt to sign him on loan for just the first season back in the big time and then maybe go for a younger winger with something to prove such as the highly
admired Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace, whom most fans at the club would love to see pacing the wings.
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His age does appear to be catching up with him however, due to a slightly inconsistent season last year, in comparison to his “player of the year” performances in the 2009/10 season for Stoke. He does still have bundles of ability with a ball and his delivery is very accurate, which is why Stoke have benefited from his left foot for the past 3 years. Something Stoke don’t have which we do, is Big Sam, he is known for getting the best out of ageing players and we would surely welcome the attempt to bring back the form Etherington once showed in his debut season as a Hammer.
With West Ham looking to transform their line up with already new additions such as Mohamed Diame, Jussi Jaaskelainen, George McCartney and the inclusion of Ravel Morrison, new additions are immanent. With the reported rumours we are looking to sign Liverpool’s number 9; Andy Carroll on a season long loan also floating around the tabloids at the moment, the potential move for Etherington could be a plan in the making to provide the dominating aerial ability of Mr Carroll with crosses strikers could only dream for.
Written by James Reynolds
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He was on Talksport earlier saying that there is no truth in the rumour of him coming back to West Ham.
Why would he come back to West Ham? The only reason he would leave is if Stoke buy Jarvis and tell Etherington he is no longer needed! It’s fair to say in terms of premiership quality we are still far from the likes of Stoke who at this moment in time have the likes of Palacios, Crouch, Pennant, Etherington, Huth, Shawcross, Upson and Begovic who could all arguably get a starting birth in the hammers squad..
Yeah, why would he come back to a bigger club?
Upson……. I wonder why a soft centre like Upson wasn’t included in the Euro 2012 squad?
We’ve been there done that and on his day (like many of the players you’ve mentioned) is good, but how often is that? Not to mention going missing and injury prone!
Well said John. I didn’t think non-arrogant, non-delusional West Ham fans existed (or at least existed on the internet, sorry). I’m glad to say that I don’t think Matty will leave us, even if we do sign Jarvis as we desperately need cover on the wings for when Matty is too tired and Pennant is being an arse off the field and annoying Tony. Good luck for the new season, look forward to playing you lot again, think Big Sam will be great for you in the Prem. However, much as we did with Pulis you might have to sacrifice a bit of style for substance (but for your sakes maybe not as much as we did).
Upson , he never really played for us !!! Etherington is ok but is that not a step backwards / When he was with us I used to look at him and think yeah good player but does he really fancy this today !!!