Although James Tomkins didn’t play much last season, I still see him as our second best centre back after Winston Reid. Sam Allardyce played James Collins last year to add some experience to our central defensive partnership, which was the safe option in our first year back in the Premier League. Newcastle are believed to have enquired about the young English centre back, and are willing to spend up to £5m.
Tomkins made his West Ham debut in 2008, back then I believed he needed to be sold as he made a lot of horrendous mistakes, such as the back pass against Wolves. I used to get worried every time he looked towards the keeper with the ball. However my opinion changed about him and Winston Reid last year in the Championship, they were both very solid at the back, as a partnership they were probably the best in the league and made very few mistakes.
Strength in depth is key next year for the Hammers, we need to keep Tomkins so that we have 3 good centre backs, and if anything try and sign another one, preferably not Pogatetz. We also have to strengthen our depth at full back and down the wings.
Luckily for the club, we have great chairmen in Gold and Sullivan that are not going to let any players leave the club that are in Big Sam’s plans for next season. They have already put out a statement regarding this deal “We are not selling James – he’s on a long contract and is still only a young man. He’s an absolutely top prospect and even if he were available it would not be easy to buy him as we have a very high valuation on him. But this is no longer a selling club. We are moving forward into a big future and we will therefore be keeping our biggest players; James is one of them.”
This for me is the most exciting statement the club have made all year, the line “we are no longer a selling club” is superb news for all West Ham fans, although we are looking to sell some players to raise funds, the Chairmen will not let good players leave the club on the cheap.
NO DEFO DO NOT LET TOMKA GO, I PREFER HIM TO COLLINS…. TOMKA IS A FOOTBALLER, WHERE COLLINS IS A HOOFER
One hundred percent with you on that
Tonks was unfortunate that Collins and Reid were in superb form for most of last season. I’m sure that when he finally gets a chance again as a first team regular he will make the most of it. Loyalty works both ways.
no we need to start keeping our good players,and let the poorer ones go or else how as a club do we build for the future
David gold has already stated that Tompkins is not going to be sold so i don’t know why everyone is banging on about it! We obviously need more than 2 centre backs (ideally 4) and with injuries and suspensions etc James will get his chance. I don’t agree with many of our fans though when they state he will be a long term England international and he is 3rd choice because Reid and ginge are better defenders! There are already better, younger cb’s in this country, smalling, jones and coulker to name a few!
Like you, I read Gold state “categorically” that Tomkins was NOT for sale and had a bright future with West Ham……. are we the only West Ham supporters that can read???
Footballers young or old improve by being challenged and disappointment drives improvement. Reid and Collins rightly held the centre back pairing berths last season but it is now down to Tomkins to prove he deserves a starting place without the distraction of the Olympics and a full pre-season behind him.
Is he all that really?
If we had bought him from another team at 20 would we all really suck up so much. Average premier league player now.
The only reason it keeps getting mentioned is that Newcastle want him and they keep dropping hints to the supine press. The only way he will go is if Sam doesn’t want him.
A total nonevent as a story! The owners have said he is not for sale and Big Sam has stated he is not going anywhere so where’s the so called story? Very few players walk into teams at 16 and then are a first team player till they retire! Most players have to learn their trade and develop over a Number of seasons. This is what tonks will do and in time become a class player, one the club can be proud of! COYI!
Tomkins is class and not only a future West Ham captain I would arguably say a future England captain, as The Cat rightfully says a proper pre season without the circus of the olympics and that useless man manager Stuart Pearce ruining he’s confidence will see our Tomkins become a legend
I agree. No way he goes unless a 10 million bid comes in…. So he stays!!
I would have liked to see Tomkins and Reid partnership continue from championship into prem. I think Tomkins as good as Collins but potentially much better with more games under his belt Tomkins potentially future west ham and England captain but only if he gets to play The days of selling our best and brightest academy graduates and long term prospects are hopefully over
James Tomkins is STILL making the same mistakes from his first starts with the team and doesn’t appear to be progressing at all. he also appears to be overpriced in the transfer market market meaning I’d be quite happy to see any transfer fee realised on a better player.
Please can people spell his name correctly. It’s Tomkins not Tompkins
Cant believe we’re even talking about selling tomkins. The 1st half of last season, almost every goal given away was the result of the involvement of James Collins. Tomkins back pass against wolves was over 2 years ago!! Give the kid a break. He’s probably the best young centre back in the premier. He passes his way out & we all know what Collins does!! If you sell tomkins he’ll be replaced by an ageing foreign defender. Is that the way forward? Mark my words. Tomkins will play for England. Parses knows it
Sorry pardew!
BML your clueless mate tonks has been solid and realiable when called upon this year
Don’t get me wrong. Collins has come good in the end. My concern is selling tomkins.