Forever West Ham is delighted to welcome on board West Ham legend, Tony Cottee who will be writing a monthly, topical column. Read about Tony’s thoughts on the Hammers transfer window, Sam Allardyce and his favourite goal in the famous claret and blue.
Transfer Window
I know it is now a week or so since the transfer window closed but I think I have only just recovered from the madness.
West Ham did some very sensible business in January, bringing in the numbers to add much needed strength in depth within the squad and I was delighted to see Joe Cole back at Upton Park.
Joe’s time at Liverpool was (and he would be the first to admit it) disappointing and it was a shame to see such a talented player not reaching his potential. Back at the Boleyn however, we have already seen what Joe can still offer with his two assists on his second debut against Manchester United in the FA Cup. If Joe can get a decent pre-season under his belt and pick up his fitness he will become a key player yet again.
With Andy Carroll out injured, the need for strikers was crucial so getting in Marouane Chamakh from Arsenal was a good bit of business. I wouldn’t play him ahead of Carlton or Andy but it is great to have so many options from the bench.
Now, Wellington Paulista; I won’t pretend to know much about the striker but I have heard he has scored a couple for the Development Squad and that is great news so hopefully in the coming weeks we will see what he has to offer.
We have been worryingly thin on numbers at the back recently so the signing of Emanuel Pogatetz was an important one. I remember him from his time at Middlesbrough, a no nonsense sort of defender and his experience will be vital.
Keeping Mohamed Diame was key for West Ham and a great signal of intent. For too many years now we have seen our best players being sold and this goes further back than the days when I could find the back of the net.
Future Hammers Hero
Let me start by saying I am a big fan of Andy Carroll’s; he brings others into the game, his holdup play is impressive and he leads the line well but, like any target man you have to play to his strengths and in a 4-3-3/4-5-1 formation I can understand why he has struggled.
During my playing days I always enjoyed playing with someone alongside me and I still feel that the need for two up top is important because the lone striker has no one to play the ball to immediately.
I know the one up top is to allow for the ‘flooding’ of midfield but I feel that there is potential to explore maybe a 3-5-2 with the likes of Jarvis and Matty Taylor being used as wingbacks and this still enables the strong trio in midfield.
My one reservation is the deal in place for Carroll in the summer as it is said to be £17 million. I do worry about West Ham spending that sort of money not because I don’t think Andy is worth it, but because we have walked the financial tightrope in recent years and I would hate for it be to a step too far for the club. However that said, if Andy does join on a permanent deal I have no doubt he will prove his worth and become a hero to the West Ham faithful.
The Boss
Sam Allardyce has done a remarkable job at the club and I know there are a few fans unhappy with him in charge but I have every faith in him.
The issue though is his contract. It is up at the end of the season and although the owners have made ‘noises’ that they will be offering him a new one, are they stalling? Will Sam even sign? These unanswered questions aren’t a good thing to have hanging over the club.
Memory Lane
I get asked this question a lot but my answer is always the same; my favourite ever goal for West Ham was actually 30 years ago on the 1st January, my debut one.
A 17 year old lad, a West Ham fan coming through the ranks and getting an opportunity against Spurs, it really doesn’t get any better. It was the dream debut.
Don’t get me wrong, I have scored technically better goals but for the emotion I felt, the setting, the opposition, for everything! That will always be my most memorable goal.
Tony Cottee was talking to Forever West Ham’s Editor
Tony’s book ‘West Ham: The Inside Story’ is out NOW and you can order a SIGNED copy from www.ex-hammers.com
Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be attributed to, foreverwestham.com
sorry tony but i cant see it i dont think big sam or carroll will be at the club come next season.
As much as I love TC, I disagree with a lot of his views in this column.
For a start, bringing in Paulista, Chamakh and Pogatetz haven’t strengthened the squad. Strengthening the squad means bringing in players that are either as good as, or better than the ones we have. None of these players does that.
Pogatetz is an average Championship player at best and from what I saw of him at Villa, nothing has changed my mind about that fact.
Paulista wasn’t even a Allardyce signing by all accounts. He was Sullivan’s signing, so I doubt we’ll even see much of him between now and the end of the season.
As for Chamakh, he struggled with loss of form at Arsenal and I will be surprised if he recaptures the form that persuaded Wenger to sign him in the first place.
All three players will spend the majority of their time on the bench, especially when the realisation finally kicks in that they’re not good enough. So instead of bringing in players to improve the squad, all these three have done is add to the wage bill.
Carroll becoming a Hammer’s hero? I don’t even think he’ll be with us next season. Spending £17m and £80k a week on someone of Carrol’s limited capabilities will be a massive waste of money. There are many players available a lot more talented than Carroll for a fraction of the price.
Taylor as a wing back? He’s got to be kidding. He’s too slow, has poor delivery and can’t defend for toffee, which are hardly the qualities of a wing back.
I do agree that Allardyce has done a good job in bringing stability. However, he will have to change his rigid formation and one dimensional tactics if he hopes to keep his job as the West Ham manager. I think Gold & Sullivan are right to wait until our safety is gaurenteed before offering Allardyce a new contract. What will be the point in giving him a new contract now, possibly get relegated and then sack him and have to pay him off. It wouldn’t make sense.
The squad needs a massive overhaul in the summer if we stay up. I would get rid of all the loan players, offload Taylor, O’Brien, O’Neill, McCartney, Jussi and Carlton Cole. None are good enough for the Premiership.
As I said, I wouldn’t get rid of Allardyce, but drastic changes will be needed in the summer, and that includes Allardyce at least considering a 4-4-2 formation.
I disagree with my fellow posters (dazza and James) in the sense that i think AC can indeed be a hit with us but probably not under Sam. I posted this on another site but it relates to this topic so here it is:
What i find most intriguing about the situation at the team at the moment is how the lads dont really seem to be enjoying the long ball game Sam has them playing. Aside from a few players (most notably Nolan) that have followed SA around so much that they are used to it, the rest of the team seem to be struggling with his system. Our static system and lack of movement does nothing for the likes of Noble, Diame, Jarvis or Joe Cole who find it difficult to link up with one another. Allowing for more mobility in the side would do a lot imho. The fact is that Sam has us playing rigidly instead of us attacking and defending as a team with the whole team making the transition from defense to attack and back again. We might be missing a few pacey players like ive mentioned before but still……
It is also very telling when Andy Carroll (the prototype english target man apparently) is displeased with our style. If you followed him over the last few games his frustration was evident. He is good in the air, strong, holds the ball up etc…but he can play with his feet better then some people give him credit for and i dont think he is pleased by our build-up play. He is the type of striker that plays very well with his back to the goal because of his strength as he rarely looses possession making him ideal for a 4-2-3-1 system as he can link up with the line of 3 behind him quite well…pass and make runs into space for the cross on the move instead of standing in the box statically which makes him easier to contain. Having a strong striker that is good in the air shouldnt mean hoofing it to him…it should encourage us to play a wide game using our wingers and full-backs for width and having players centrally that can slice through the defense with passes from a central position (que J.Cole). Long balls are also notoriously difficult to control which means even when we do maintain possession it takes time to turn it into anything dangerous giving the opposition time to organize themselves. As odd as it may sound, i think our style hurts AC’s game more then it helps it. Add that to the fact that you are bypassing the likes of Noble, Diame, J.Cole or Jarvis (all above avarage in their respective positions imho) and hoofing makes no sense at all imho….but Sam will be Sam i guess.
For Christs sake can’t anyone see that it is Tomkins , Cole and Noble that are holding the squad back . They are not Premiereship players. Loyalty is great but not if the talent isn’t there in the first place !!!