January 2007 and West Ham United attacked the transfer window with reckless abandon. A disappointing first half of the season saw the coffers of the club being plundered in order to strengthen the side and maintain their Premiership status.
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One of the players brought in was exciting Portuguese attacking wide man Luis Boa Morte for a fee believed to be £5million. Fulham’s player of the year in 2005 (the phrase ‘Cottager of the Year’ I don’t believe used) and coveted by Newcastle United amongst others, Alan Curbishley had seemingly pulled out a masterstroke and fans were excited to see what he could bring to the Hammers.
His first game saw him at his electric best. A 3-0 win over Brighton in the FA Cup saw Luis fail to score but set up two of the goals. As West Ham fans we should have known better. Stupidly though, a few of us became excited and expected him to provide this form consistently. This, as we now know, was not to be. Despite an important goal in a relegation battle versus Wigan Atheltic, Boa Morte failed to really set the Premiership alight in claret and blue.
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The following seasons were similar affairs. A man who offered so much promise, yet failed to reproduce form we were aware of in claret and blue. Granted a pre season injury in 2009 against T*ttenham possibly robbed Boa Morte of a yard or two of pace. And to his credit in his final season, despite not being our most consistent player, he was fully committed, giving 110% more in every game than our then club captain, who is now a Stoke bench warmer.
So in closing, I think it’s best to describe Boa Morte as an expensive failed experiment. Whilst his commitment is not to be doubted AND he did get Fat Frank sent off in a West Ham – Chelsea game, I think it’s fair to say he never reached the heights we know he had the potential to. A disappointment for West Ham, but maybe a star for Chesterfield this coming season.
Keep blowing bubbles,
Smudgy
