James Tomkins finally got a start at centre back yesterday for West Ham against Norwich City as James Collins was out through suspension after picking up his fifth booking against Reading. Tomkins has been a bit part player at Upton Park this season and has seen most of his appearances in either midfield of at right back and all West Ham fans know that these are not his best positions.
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Tomkins didn’t have a great time at the Olympics with Team GB during the summer and his place in the West Ham starting line up seemed to have suffered from this.
Sam Allardyce brought in former Hammers player James Collins and he seems to favour the partnership of Winston Reid and Collins at the back. But the Welsh international has been victim of a few mistakes this season which have cost West Ham a couple of games most notably against Reading and also Swansea City at the beginning of the season.
Winston Reid has been fantastic and the player of the season so far. When he signed for West Ham a few seasons ago he didn’t look too great but the drop down to the Championship seems to have done him the world of good and he is now performing right at the top of his game. His contract runs out at the end of the season and talks for a new contract should be fully underway soon. West Ham need to make sure they sign him up long term and don’t allow a top team take him on a free transfer at the end of the season.
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Tomkins had a good game earlier in the week against Norwich and the combination of himself and Reid looked solid. I hope Allardyce will keep him at the back with Reid now as Tomkins is at the age where he will want to be playing week in, week out and there is a chance he could get the urge to leave the club if he doesn’t get the time on the pitch that a player like him deserves.
There are rumours that Newcastle United are once again interested in signing him and with their defensive problems he would be a great signing for them and more than likely would be starting every week. I hope that we will reject any offers for him and make him feel that he is wanted at our club.
I think Collins is a good player to have in the squad but I would rather Tomkins and Reid at the back. Don’t get me wrong he wears his heart on his sleeve and will put his body in front of anything that is heading towards the goal but he is just prone to making big mistakes that can cost games. Against Chelsea he was brilliant and was of the main reasons we held on to that lead. He won everything at the back and made sure that any shots from the Chelsea attack were getting charged down. So for instances like that he is a good player to have in the starting line-up. But when he makes those stupid mistakes it makes you feel he is just a risk for the rest of the team. Also with Collins he is the main culprit when it comes to the long ball, he doesn’t seem to be able to play ball out from the back and just hits the ball long to the striker.
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I would much rather have Tomkins at the back as he is a better all-round player. He is able to play the ball out from the back and has the pace to keep up with the majority of strikers in the Premier League. Hopefully now that he has had his chance and played well, Big Sam will now keep him in the starting eleven.
Tomkins should get the nod. Purely because Collins needs to be punished for his mistake and the ban, and Tomkins has been patient.
If you forget about the glaring mistakes, Collins has been a rock for us this season. But today Tomkin’s has earned his right to stake his claim for the CB position with a run in the side.
collins has done ok for us bar the two slips but tomkins is more mobile and chips in with a couple of goals he gets my nod
Big day ahead for Tompkins, if he gets a start, play well and he claims the place alongside Reid,
have a poor game and he could be on his way if the Geordies firm up teir intrest with a bid.
Tomkins to start instead of the donkey Collins all day long for me, if he doesn’t, he’ll get disillusioned, leave and be brilliant against us for someone else, yet another West Ham talent driven out
Are you having a laugh ? Tomkins is a cart horse . Slow in mind and foot with zero positional sense ! Collins is slightly better but the occasional mistake is far better than continual pressure on the defence by playing half a man short.
if tomkins is a cart horse u know nothing about football that makes u a dick head
Tomkins every time. Fact is, Collins has cost us dear this season (at least 6 points). It’s all very well saying that Collins has made some big challenges for us, but so might Tomkins if he’d been on the pitch.
Alan do u want to eat your words after the man Utd game?.. Tomkins has been poor this season and needs to knuckle down to play. Collins for me but Tomkins needs to be retained. 3 CB’s is not enough for a whole season.
Only called upon to do one thing well and found out again . Tomkins is crap . No positional sense , speed or skill . Another goal down to his lack of ability . We need another centre back fast .