I’m going to start this article with a special mention for our two fantastic centre halves. James Collins has been prone to the odd fatal error this season i.e away at Swansea and Reading but in between those games he has been a rock in our defence and also posed a threat from set pieces, not just in the air either like u would expect. When I saw the team sheet for Sunday’s game I was also unaware that soon to be ‘Hammer of the Year’ Winston Reid would be absent. In place of him we had fans favourite and local boy James Tomkins. What a performance from a man who must be really frustrated at not playing more often than he has done this season. Well done Tonka, fair play mate, you were also outstanding!
So we went in to the game, as expected to, and put everybody behind the ball and just tried not to concede. Thankfully achieved this so, and if it wasn’t for a last gasp clearance off the line by Lucas, we would of taken all three points. Defensively we were solid and I’m not taking anything away from our performance but it was clear to see we were lacking in attacking options massively, which brings me to the main purpose of this article.
Was Carlton Cole’s appearance against Liverpool his last ever start for West Ham? I think it’s obvious. As I said in my previous article, Carlton would be left upfront on his own in total isolation and he was, particularly in the second half. The trouble is, when he does have the opportunity to prove he can lead the line on his own he fails to impress. It has been clear to me for years that he needs somebody to play off him. It frustrates me so much to see him winning a header, but knocking it down to nobody.
You could argue that other players in the side could support him better but the difference between him and Andy Carroll is that when Andy wins a header his team mates can predict where he is going to head it to, with Carlton it could end up anywhere. To set up the way we do away from home you need confidence in your front men or should I say front ‘man’. You need to be confident in your lone striker being able to get the ball down and bring others into play. As much as I respect Carlton Cole, I fail to have confidence in his ability to do so. That may sound harsh to some fans reading this but sometimes the truth hurts, and there is little evidence to prove this is a false accusation.
So here’s a subject to get everyone arguing, does he deserve a new contract? Now I’m pretty sure that I am going to get some abusive feedback in my comments section here, but I’m going to say, No!
As a person and as a dedicated team member I would say yes, but is that enough to earn you a new contract? Of course it isn’t. If we are going to move on as a club we can’t be resigning players that have failed to make the grade on so many occasions just because we like them or because they have been ‘loyal’ as I keep hearing on various forums.
I know that there will be a section of people reading this article thinking, “What about when he took a pay cut last season?” I’m going to put myself in the firing line again here and say to you, What about it? I can understand that people see this as big deal in modern day football and to a certain extent I would agree. My problem is that as a team we underperformed hugely the previous season and ended up being relegated.
In the current climate fans struggle financially every year, just so they can go and support the team they love. Unfortunately I fall into that category and when these players turn in performances like they did that season, I have no sympathy for one of my wealthy heroes getting paid 50% less a week, when it still totals up to more than I earn in a year. If I got paid a lot of money and didn’t fulfil what was required of me, I wouldn’t be in my job very long and I certainly wouldn’t be considered for a new contract.
It’s clear that we need to bolster our strike force if we are going to push on next season. I think we need two quality centre forwards. In Andy Carroll we have one and I hope to god we sign him, but what worries me is if we do so, is this going to wipe out our entire transfer kitty. I would hope not but we are hardly the leagues high rollers given the huge debt we are still carrying. Financially, maybe giving Carton Cole a new deal would be an ideal thing to do, but he certainly isn’t a player that is going to take us towards what we are trying to achieve as the club. In fact not getting the right players in this summer could hurt us even more if we were to struggle in the premier league next campaign.
I personally believe that we should thank Carlton for his efforts over the time he has played at the club. I would also say that I wish him all the best in establishing himself at a new club maybe at championship level or even at a newly promoted side come the end of the season. It’s never a nice fate to have to wave away a player that has been at the club for so many years but unfortunately, I think it’s time to do just that. If you disagree then please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments boxes below.
By Adam Cooper
Cole served us well and was loyal! but no one convinces me that Carroll is worth his £100K a week or what we may have to pay Liverpool to sign him! we can get much better for that type of money which we do not have!
No
Regardless of what happens with Andy Carroll it is time to say goodbye to Carlton, he is not able to score enough goals to be worth a new deal.
Exatley but i will miss him
I agree Cole ha been great for years but he isn’t good anymore and does not deserve a contract sorry Cole PS:We don’t pay Andy Carroll 100k a week and he has been in great form latley
Totally agree , I think we should thank him for being a loyal servent to the football club and bid him farewell I don’t think he is anywhere near producing at a top flight level anymore . As for carrol I would definitely buy him (NOT FOR 17 MILLION ) as I feel he is getting stronger every time he plays and is still very young .
You hit the nail on the head, he has been very loyal to us but that only goes so far, he is not performing well enough when he gets hes opportunities and hes level of play is championship, no disrespect but i would go as far as to say its winds me up when he takes a space up on the bench, i would prefer to see wellington paulista given a chance 5 goals in 7 i know its the developement squad but atleast hes hungry to impress…
I think you are right there mate! There must be reason we havent seen paulista though surely? Its seems strange to me
Its because he wasn’t allardyces signing was the owners, this is what frustrates me, diame was free and basically a nobody now hes wanted by the big boys, allardyce gave him a chance but wont give paulista one ( someone who has scored against barca ) but yet dont even let him warm the bench
I think Carlton Cole should think about going to a Championship club with Premiership aspirations. If he can find his form, then he will come back up. If not, then he is in the correct league.
Coles best goals per season is 15 & he averages about 10 a season, that is just not good enough for premier league. We need a proper strike force this summer. Carrol isnt worth the 17m but there are others available now
Carroll is well worth the £17 million pound price tag. For a young hungry english player with talent thats the sort of money you have to pay. Carlton cole hasnt delivered since he played for chelsea. When you keep resigning average players you get nowhere. Look at arsenal. For me carroll is worth the punt.
Don’t wanna c him go cause I like him but think we need a new face. Gotta snap up Carroll but to be honest I ain’t to sure we will.
What a shame! I am not sure there has ever been a topic with such universal agreement! Unfortunately none of it is good news for calton! Yes he has been a good servant for the club! yes he has remained loyal when others have quit! And yes he has scored some important goals! But, not enough at the highest level and is simply not good enough to play the lone stricker role that his size and obvious power would suggest at this rarified level! Even with the prospect we might be throwing the baby out with the bathwater, I fear Cole’s time at his beloved West Ham is at an end! If we are to move to the new brave world we need to improve and unfortunately leave behind the old to bring in the better. And so it Is goodbye Calton Cole, thank you and all the best! COYI!
Pointless article really, as there is no way Andy Carroll will be playing for West Ham next season
The article is about carlton cole?
This is a long shot but i wouldnt mind seeing maiga and paulista up front both have pace, skill and know how to find the net, big sams too set in hes ways and is a one trick pony, hes been magic for us but needs to explore more formations to get the best abilities out of what he has
I think thats a fair point tony
No need to spend what we have not got as the clubs clearly still in big debt, if big sam was to exploit a bit more or what we have got we would be suprised, its tooo easy for any team we play against to prepare
what a load a crap you talk. can you please let us know what facts you have of the clubs finances and i mean what you no as fact not media talk. also maybe you can explain what you know about the talent we have what is going to surprise us. and for you to say its to easy for any other team we play to prepare what crap. west brom did not do to well as many others at upton park this season. and we have not been to bad dealing with teams in general. go back to your computer football and leave the real game to people who know a bit more then you.your just another know nothing who believes what they read or maybe i am wrong and you can tell us where you get your information.
Haha are you being serious? So every week our line up is not predictable? And style of play lets get the ball to carrols head why do you think he spends most of the time sitting on hes ass every defender glued to him, pretty sure the tevez affair is still going on but if your there accountant then please enlighten me
We should not be confusing the two topics here, Cole is unfortunately yesterday’s man having had numerous chances to be the striker/frontman that Carroll clearly is but for some strange reason has never proven to be!
Carroll on the other hand represents the future! An England centre forward playing for West Ham what more do some people want?!
If we are to realise our dream of competing with the best in the prem and having a team worthy of the OS then this is the kind of player we need to keep/attract! Are they worth it? Not really a point to consider as to compete these days you need to be making these eye watering signings on a regular basis if you are to have any chance of doing anything in this league!
The trick is to try and get some sort of value for money when making these signings.
For as we know recklessly splashing the cash is no guarantee of success!
It is with this in mind that I think we can sign Andy for a lot less than the 17mill that has been quoted.
Whatever happens between now and us moving to the OS (and beyond) will be exciting times to be a Hammers fan! How the owners move the club forward with an eye on producing a team fit for our new home, whilst keeping an eye on finances(remember the debt!), will be both riveting and exciting! Personally I can’t wait! I can’t remember a better time to,be an Iron’s fan! COYI!
Carlton has never really performed on a consistent level but for me his passion for the club is not something that should be looked over so easily. Going by the forwards we have on our books, Carlton should be offered a new contract. Paulista obviously is not good enough otherwise Big Sam would have given him a pop by now, Maiga has flopped so far and I can’t see the big AC being hammer next season. So why not offer him a contact? I hope we will bring in some better quality fire power in the summer but still is there not room in our squad for a player with passion for the team like Carlton.
I get your point dan to a certain extent but can we really give a new contract to a player based on passion and commitment! U can if u want to stay as u are..but u cant if you are serious about moving forward, we need to bring in quality to progress its as simple as that im affraid
Yeah I agree with you mate,cole just isn’t a premiership striker he hasn’t got the goals he shuld have given the time he’s been with us.
Carlton Cole has been an employee paid vast sums of money who has laboured and tried hard. No other Premiership club would buy him….why ? Because he is championship standard only. Time to clear out the sub standard personnel no favours should be given.
Sentiment is not for winners time to be ruthless.
Unfortunately Carlton Cole had a chance on Sunday to prove he could do what Andy Carroll can do, BUT he didn’t Carroll is everywhere on the pitch helping out in lots of places even defence.
Cole just was happy to stay where he was and l have never run him down but l was very disappointed with him on Sunday. And as for the club and money are you forgetting the £38million they will get for our beloved home and their out lay of just £ 2million for the OS rent. These to are business men and been doing these deals for years and have always come out of it with loads od money. And we will have lost our Stadium for good. If or when anything happens to these two guys who takes over and will they want West Ham. Sad times. But getting back yo Cole Sorry but l would rather put his wages towards Carroll’s now Thank you Carlton but you do not look like you are fighting for us anymore/
Anne you are completely wrong. You clearly do not play football and thus have limited knowledge of the game or if you do play it is surprising that your knowledge of the game is so poor. Cole did not have a chance to prove that he can do what Carroll did against WBA because we were set up far more defensively. Carroll was rarely isolated against WBA as the lads were allowed to play football. Against Liverpool we had to have a rigid shape, at some points we had a back 6, that is what we needed to get the result we wanted, a draw. Cole not fighting for us anymore? He is the most loyal player at the club and has done far more than you to prove his loyalty so don’t humour us by telling us he doesn’t fight for the club anymore. Understand the game of football before you start commenting on Cole vs Carroll as Cole was handed a very different opportunity.
If thats very unfair hugh and anyone with any type of football knowledge would be able to see andy carroll is twice the player cole is! He may have been left isolated sunday..but he has had his fair share of oppertunities and lets be honest 15 goals in the championship is hardly prolific..the top scorer in the championship averages around 30 ..he managed half that?
And please will you remind me how many Carroll scored in the championship, also managed around half the total of 30. CC half the player Carroll is? I certainly haven’t seen that whilst Carroll has been at the club and I am unsure as to how anyone can see that from a guy who has scored 5 goals in 19 appearances. You must have thought Demba Ba was one of the best players in the world.
Re-negotiate a much smaller contract with Carlton that is based on a bonus for goals scored whilst making sure he knows that he is not first choice and just a squad player.on his day he is still a handfull and its refreshing to have a player that wants to play for west ham and not someone looking for a big pay day.we have had plenty of mercenaries over the years!
Carroll is not worth 17 mil or 90,000 a week and one game against WBA doesnt change that. CC loves the club, the most loyal player here and why wouldn’t we want him? A great role model for the youngsters at the club. Disgusted to see so many fans wanting him to leave but unfortunately it seems a lot of our fan base lack basic football knowledge. You can’t score goals if you don’t have confidence and if you don’t have any support thus leading to no chance creation etc. If Cole is forced to leave by the fat idiot that is our manager just because he fancies Carroll then I will be unbelievably annoyed.