So Gary O’Neil has been released…an unsung hero in our triumphant promotion winning season…but out of his depth in the Premier League?
Football can be a cruel industry at times for fans and players alike and whilst Gary did do a great job in the back end of the season of filling in for the injured Mark Noble…was he realistically going to be anything more than a squad player? A squad player with very limited ability, not really able to push the likes of Noble and Diame for a starting spot.
A cornerstone of any successful team is competition for places, knowing that if you’re not performing someone on the undercard is just waiting to step in and take your place in the main event.
Something that was abundantly clear last season is that whilst we had a relatively strong starting XI; as soon as the injuries started to pile up around Xmas we struggled to score goals and win games. The squad clearly needs to be strengthened to ensure this doesn’t happen again next season.
Part of that rebuilding process is signing players of real quality who can not only provide the aforementioned competition for places, but can step in and do a more than adequate job when for instance a key figure like Diame is unavailable.
Massimo Ambrosini who the club have heavily been linked with this summer and would be a typical Sam Allardyce signing in a similar mould of Ivan Campo joining Bolton Wanderers; is the kind of player we need, his ability, experience and quality can only improve the overall depth of the squad.
Letting Gary O Neil leave and effectively replacing him with the AC Milan captain would be a very shrewd bit of business indeed.
It has to be said though that O’Neil did put in some sterling performances towards the end of the season, culminating in that glorious strike against West Brom . But is he the type of player to help move the club forward on the pitch? No, so much like with Carlton Cole it was the right decision to let him go.
I would be happy for him to stay even though he doesn’t improve the team, we still need squad players which was why we had our rough patch over Xmas IMO! And he is a decent squad player, versatile as he can do most things in midfield.
Though I am loathe to believe any nonsense reported in press at this time of the year, the reports of ambrosini coming is gathering pace. I think it’s very plausible that he MAY be gon’s replacement? A very good, stylish Italian player and though 35, pace and power have never been his strengths so may not to much to lose due to age. If this is true, and if he is still fit enough to play for another couple of years then we will be getting a good tackling, cultured player with an eye for a pass who will be easily good enough for the 1st team and for free – again! It’s about time Sam discovered our JJ or djeaorkaef (lol or how ever you spell it!) We’ll have to wait and see!
As much as I admire Gary O’Neil for the performances he put in for us, but especially for the way he came back from a career threatening injury (which I feared he would not come back from), this club cannot be caught standing still.
This coming season manager & players will be more aware of our team and players and if you don’t change, evolve, improve and get better……….you WILL end up in a dogfight!
Massimo Ambrosini is the type of player who may not set the pulses racing amongst our fans but saying he would be a shrewd singing is a massive understatement. As well as the fact that he has an unbelievable amount of top level experience, he is a rare type of player in the British game….Passing, Movement, Vision and speed of thought, means he can be a highly influential player despite his age and someone Ravel and our youngsters can learn from.
I have a lot of time for players like Gary O’Neil, but we can’t let emotions rule over common sense. At this stage of our clubs climb to the top, we have to be shrewd & smart, and Big Sam is both of those.
i think Gary O’Neil is very unlucky not to get a suitable new deal after his recent performances. Don’t get me wrong, I was a keen anti-O’Neiler 1 season ago but I’ve been proved largely wrong by his determination, patience to wait his chance and capacity to turn potential into actual performances (Lately). In fact, I thought he’d more than matched Noble with some of his displays. … But such is life, the club have moved on and he will move on. …. I fear however that Ambrosini is not be what his curriculum makes out to be, but a touch of class in the dressing room and around training he will certainly provide. But like-for-like performances compared to what O’neil would have provided (as cover), i’m not so sure.
I also think that if Ambrosini goes through then Benat is definitely off the cards. And that makes me sad because i though Benat could be our Fabregas. Performances plus a very decent return on investment.
Great piece! Totally agree with what you have to say! Just hope if we get him, that this Italian doesn’t turn out like the last one! Lol. What a bloody cheek he had turning up ginst us for Italy in the euro’s when he was crap for us and we even had to sue to get the transfer fee or him!
yeah bringing in a 36 year old who is now too old to play in the slow italian league would be good business for a premier league club like west ham!! shrewd and smart what plnet do you live on he’s free typical sullivan and gold signing. we won’t sign andy carrol wilfried bony or anyone else that costs more than 5 mil wake up and smell the coffee lads
O’neil and cole for what ever reason have largely become firm favourites at the Boleyn but I believe it is a clear sign of the clubs ambition that we are prepared to let them go.
To people like wozzie03, when are you going to get of the owners backs? Some people really have short memories! Without these two gentlemen there would be no West Ham! It’s that simple! Nuff said! COYI!
Well said. About time people give credit to the two Davids. Who knows where we would be without them. They are not Russian bilionaires
Great conversation but it appears (much to my regret) that a deal has been agreed for Andy Carroll at £15m (yes I did say £15m) and £78k a week! Much of the salary is covered by releasing Carlton Cole. My disappointment however and worry is that when plan A doesn;t work (especially against better teams with stronger defences) what have we got to back us up. I would rather we had bought Bony who has pace and power in abundance. As for Amrossini??? not sure about that one. It all depends on how much hunger he still has for the game! I’d like to see us dive in the Free agent Market with the lies of Malouda, Gallas, Simpson all available if the right wages can be negotiated
Carroll deal still a doubt. Bony still possible target. Martin Harnik linked as winger. Vaz te to be released
It appears Andy carroll deal will be done which I have real concerns about. Think back to last season when he was on loan and it turned out we ended as one of the lowest scoring teams in the premier league. Whats therefore gonna change next year with him signed permanently (thats if he stays fit). Next season is crucial to us and I think its a really bad move cause I still can’t see where the goals that we need are going to come from? Anyone got any ideas
Hi Paul, agree with your analysis. But personally, I don’t believe the lack of goals were totally the result of the front man. The root cause of the lack of goals is what’s behind him and the way we set ourselves up. … Big Sam himself says if we don’t concede goals we don’t lose and we have the possibility to win. This shows that we set ourselves up to not concede.
4-5-1. Which in the old days was how the poorer teams always played against the better teams.
I don’t even blame Carlton Cole for his lack of goals. (Not totally anyway.) He was always so isolated up front. … I think Carlton in another formation with better service could get more goals. Same with Andy C.
HARNIK still has 3 years on his contract st Stuttgart???? Nice try though. Shame its not true