One of the stranger signings of the transfer window this year was West Ham’s loan singing of Emanuel Pogatetz.
The 30 year old arrived at Upton Park in January and has currently played four games for West Ham.
So how has the former Middlesbrough player done so far? And why was he even brought in?
Well one notable appearance was the recent loss to Tottenham Hotspur. Pogatetz pulled back Aaron Lennon unnecessarily for Bale to swing in a free kick and leaving Sigurdsson to scramble in the equaliser. Before and after this incident, his extreme lack of pace was noted by Lennon and Kyle Walker and they took pleasure in terrifying the 32000 fans every time they were in the final third but why did Sam Allardyce think Pogatetz was the man?
I know our main priority was a left back in the January transfer window and missing out on players like Stephen Warnock left us with Plan D but surely a 30 year old who has played most of his career in the centre of the park, both defence and midfield, was a move worth missing out on. Especially as Pogatetz hadn’t been playing for his then side Wolfsburg as well (eight appearances in a year), proving fitness would be an issue alongside the slowly ageing career.
From the four games he’s played, Pogatetz started one, the 2-1 loss to Aston Villa and come off the bench against Swansea City, Tottenham and the recent away win at Stoke City.
With the likes of George McCartney slowly returning from injury and Joey O’Brien being able to play both left and right back, (if Guy Demel is picked) I wonder if the Austrian’s playing time will come to a halt. As I’m sure Big Sam has only brought him in as back up for back up.
Although the Irons have Pogatetz on a long till the end of the season, the Austrian has claimed he would love to sign on a permanent deal, but personally after a pretty poor impression, I wouldn’t be that chuffed if he was to sign on a permanent deal.
Would you keep Emmanuel Pogatetz and what do you think of him so far?
@jackfox7
he was the best we could get for cheap. that’s it.
I don’t think BFS WANTED to bring him in as a LB but if that’s the best he can do then so be it.
exactly…! sam obviouisly wanted several other defenders but pogatetz was the only one available to bring in
would have been better off going for a player in lower leagues here,if he did’t make grand at least we could sell on like some others in past, this guy looks a waste of money.
I wouldn’t keep him or the guy from Arsenal either. I’d like to see Maiga given a run alongside Carroll.
He is terrible but like people havr said he is a body on the pitch. I’d love to laugh it off and say that there’s no way we would sign him but we do have that option and after Kovac… He wasn’t just bad v Spurs but he has been out of his depth for four games now.
Useless,pathetic. Why get him if he is that bad, did anyone have a look at his 8 recent performances. My 9 year old has more pace and ability.
Could only possibly play as one of three centre halves. Too slow for left back or as half of a centre back pair.
I don’t see why, with the lack of defensive options we have at the moment, Allardouche doesn’t play 3-5-2 with Collins, Tonks and Reid as the back 3, O’Neil/O’Brien and Taylor as wing backs, with Noble and Diame playing those deeper central roles and Joey Cole having the freedom to roam at the top of midfield, getting onto Carroll and whoever else would be up tops knock downs!
Also I’d love to see this Wellington guy get a look in, if hes pony then fair play don’t play him again but the guy knows how to score…and that’s what we are in desperate need of!
he is crap like fat sam
No use the youth players they earned after wat I’ve seen much better players
Youth players a better n they earned a spot it’s better experience for the players n westham as a club