There are some players who capture the imagination of the supporters through their ability, flair, and charisma. Others win their place in fan folklore with honest displays of grit and loyalty.
Then there are players like Ricardo Vaz Te; players who will be remembered for doing something; for playing for our team, for being part of a chapter. They fall well short of cult status, though, by just never performing hard enough, for long enough, far too often.
Yes, it was his goal that fired West Ham back into the Premier League, and sure, we’re very grateful for that.
As we watched at 1.43am, crammed in into our supporters bar in Sydney, we were elated to see him score what proved to be the winning goal.
It was a goal however, that released feelings of relief. We were doing it the West Ham way – achieving what we should achieve in the most stressful manner. He didn’t actually do anything against the odds, anything spectacular that truly made us think he was anything bordering on extraordinary.
And that has been his problem.
He was rescued from obscurity at Barnsley. Remembered at the time, just, as another player who had featured under Big Sam during his Bolton days.
Cue internet searches of his name by most Hammers fans, who were probably under whelmed by what they found. A few appearances for Panionios and Hibernian, following a series of injuries, hardly instilled excitement.
He has since been rumoured to have said he would happily consider a move to a ‘bigger club’, and questioned why he has not been selected to represent Portugal on the international stage.
I’m not sure how many of our realistic rivals would now be clambering around to sign him.
If indeed he has been told he can leave, then he wouldn’t be the first. Many similar players have fallen by the wayside – look at Nicky Maynard, Sam Baldock, Papa Bouba Diop, Abdoulaye Faye. Players signed to fulfil a purpose.
You could argue that Vaz Te, with that winner, fulfilled his purpose to the greatest extent. But Big Sam plays a ruthless game. He has been around the scene for long enough to know that the industry itself is ruthless, and if you don’t make the grade, there is no room for sentiment. Maybe his part in the play-off final bought him a stay of execution, but his application last season will not warrant a lifetime in the club’s Hall of Fame.
We were short on attacking options, and he was available. But he never fully demonstrated whether he was a striker, winger, creative midfielder, or playmaker…given the choice, I’m sure Big Sam would choose to utilise other players.
Some of the names linked to the club this transfer window, either as permanent or loan signings, are better quality. Joe Cole, if he gets a full pre-season behind him, offers more passion, experience, and application.
Matt Jarvis is one of the most consistent wide-players in the league, and is only getting better as he establishes himself in the manager’s game plan.
If we are going to make the step forward, our squad players need to be of genuine Premier League quality. To lose Vaz Te in favour of a replacement such as Wilfried Zaha would be a real show of intent.
We will always be appreciative of Vaz’s moment of Wembley glory, but we wouldn’t be calling for a statue anytime soon.
Excellent piece Syd…objective, accurate and fair.
Same with when we let Zamora go. Time to move on
he was the reason we got promoted, he was amazing in the championship. Yet he has failed impress me in the prem. I hope he can do well in another championship team.
He was excellent at the start of the season until an awkward fall against Arsenal at home meant that he was sidelined for a couple of months. He wasn’t quite the same player when he came back but if you’re constantly played out of position as he has been, often defending more than going forward then we haven’t exactly been using his ability to its maximum.
For that reason I would like to keep him. Lets face it, everyone will crap themselves if Carroll gets injured. Vaz Te is one of the very, very few players that is adept at finding the net on a regular basis when played in position and I don’t think he should be jettisoned at this stage.
FINALLY !! A west ham fan who knows what they’re talking about. When vaz te first joined us big sam played him wide left and gave him the freedom to cut inside on his stronger right foot. He created goals, and scored goals. I’m fed up of hearing fans complain about him not being premier league quality. If u stuck him in goal or played him in defence he’s never going to be a good player. He’s NOT A WINGER, he doesn’t know what to do playing wide right so give the man a break. He played in his prefered wide left position ONE TIME during the whole season against stoke when Jarvis came off injured, and he played brilliantly and was awarded man of the match. Matt Taylor is an absolutely dreadful player and should be moved on asap. Vas te hasn’t been given a chance, and I hope we keep him
He is quality and should be kept.
I agree with Jimmy, he is a useful player when playing wide left, he is also good in the air and when Carroll clears corners he is often one of the outlets that breaks and relieves the pressure. Obviously we want him to be more accurate and more of a goal threat than he has been but he was pretty unlucky last year on a number of occaisions hitting the post or narrowly missing, I think this year if he stays and plays you will see more goals from him. My vote is give him another season and lets see if he improves, even as an impact sub he is a good player to have coming off the bench because of his speed and ability to score a goal.