Last Saturday morning, my bleary, tired eyes were greeted to the sight of John Hartson first thing. Fortunately, my Friday night hadn’t gone wrong after a shandy too many, as Hartson was in fact appearing on Soccer AM.
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Watching and listening to the former Welsh international brought back many a fond memory of his time at West Ham. Seen as a risk when he signed, Hartson formed a great partnership with the also newly-signed Paul Kitson to keep West Ham up with their goals. With Hartson’s form continuing into the next season, it’s easy to see why he’s so fondly remembered by West Ham, so much so I could probably write a full article on him.
However, my mind, as so many times as it has done before, started to wander. Arsenal, despite their recent form, are one of the biggest clubs in the English game. Probably only behind Manchester United and Liverpool historically. So, with Hartson as our last striking success story from them, you have to think they have issues with us after the other disappointments we’ve taken off their hands.
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As much of a personality and a legend Ian Wright was throughout his Arsenal career, the beginning of his twilight years were spent at West Ham. Even though Wrighty scored against Sheffield Wednesday on his debut in 1998, his career in East London was remembered for other reasons. After scoring against Southampton, Wrighty and Neil Ruddock recreated Paolo di Canio’s shove on referee Paul Alcock as a celebration. Props where they’re deserved, the celebration was funny, but unfortunately more memorable than his goal. Also more memorable, and again unfortunate, was Wright’s behaviour after his sending off against Leeds. Angry after receiving a red card, he stormed down the tunnel and trashed the referee’s dressing room, leaving him with an FA charge to answer and a fine. With Harry unable to get more out of him, Wrighty’s time at West Ham was unspectacular. A shame when you consider how great he was in his Arsenal days.
Determined not to make the same mistake, Redknapp went back to Arsenal in 2000 to snap up Davor Suker. As leading goalscorer at France ’98 and consistent goalscoring displays in the top-flight of Spain, Suker had all the credentials to become a regular goalscorer at West Ham despite his indifferent performances in North London. Again this wasn’t the case as Suker never really settled. 2 league goals, including a late header against Manchester United early on in the season suggested promise, but it wasn’t to be and Davor made his way to Germany to see out his career. As an aside, Suker’s first appearance in a West Ham shirt was as a substitute against Bournemouth in a pre-season friendly. I was there to see him score and be announced as ‘David Suker!’
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The next striking offering directly from Arsenal was Jeremie Aliadiere. A player who was coming back from serious injury after a season out, Wenger was willing to loan him out to help his match fitness. Another name who failed to impress, Aliadiere made just eight appearances in claret and blue, seven coming on as sub and not once finding the net. Worse still, during his brief stay in East London, not once did his Page 3 girlfriend visit Upton Park.
And so now we have Marouane Chamakh. A player who’s debut I saw and was left disappointed with despite glowing praise in the Sunday media. Whilst he’s still at the club I’ll try to support him best I can. Though in the first half of the season Wenger had found no place for him and clearly tired of him, Sam clearly saw something in him he likes. And this leads us to pondering, will he be another Hartson, or fall by the wayside like others mentioned? As I don’t like to be too negative, I’ll leave that as an open question.
Peace out
Smudgy
@TheRobTaylor32
