Last summer when we signed Alou Diarra I think it’s safe to say West Ham fans were excited about this particular capture; the captain of France during Euro 2012, an experienced and classy defensive midfielder who would surely forge a partnership with Mo Diame which would be amongst the most feared in the league.
Injury however and to put it frankly Diarra throwing his toys out of the pram and insisting on a return to France in the January transfer window, curtailed his thus far West Ham career to a meagre three appearances.
Now whilst I can fully appreciate most fans will want him sold this summer and perhaps this would be for the best…the man’s quality and pedigree does speak for itself: 44 caps for France, 2 Ligue 1 titles (with two different teams) he even came on for the legendary Patrick Vieria in the 2006 World Cup final. If we were to sell Alou would we find a replacement of such immense pedigree and quality?
I personally would like to see Diarra stay and compete with Mark Noble for the central midfield birth alongside Mohamed Diame; strength in depth is something we lacked last season (one could argue Diarra leaving for Rennes was one of the reasons why) a couple of injuries and Gary O’Neil was deputising now whilst Gary did well particularly in the latter stages of the season; he simply wasn’t Premier League class.
Now of course whether or not Diarra stays is really up to him, if he shows Sam that he wants to be a part of what we’re building at West Ham I’m sure Sam would be happy to re-integrate him into the team, having said that with this upcoming season being a World Cup year I’m sure Diarra would want assurances he’d be playing regularly to ensure his flight to Brazil, but therein lies the conflict; a fully fit and committed Diarra starts for West Ham week in week out, but how committed is he? On the evidence of last season not very.
As everyone knows we’re a club on the up; smashing our transfer record for the second successive summer and of course the impending move to Stratford, I hope on reflection Alou realises that West Ham is a pretty good place to be at the moment and wants to be a part of it.
I think we all still long to see Diarra and Diame in the same side… and if at any point this coming season we were to go with a 442 (unlikely I know) it’s hard to think of two better central midfielders at our disposal for this formation.
Better than Noble …… there again most people are >>>
“there again most people are” … oh behave yourself – who burst your bubble?
Noble is the heart and soul, links and switches the play and forces the team to play on the floor; takes the pens, makes the tackles and provides the spark. Will continue to grow into a true claret and blue Scott Parker. Would like to see him, Diarra and Diame competing for the places!! COYI!
‘Better than Noble – most are my arse!!
I don’t understand anyone knocking Mark Noble he’s a great lad, great player & West Ham through & through.
Have a look at yourselves. Yes Noble gives 100% but he isn’t quite good enough at the top top level. He’s shown that against the best teams he really is off the pace!
I have nothing against him. I think he’s great for effort & committement. Good squad player & he is good enough to use as & when.
I’ll never knock him but I’m able to admit who is good enough & who isn’t.
Too many blind West Ham fans. Blinded by the fact he was born around the corner!
When Diarra played last season he wasnt cut out for the prem, hes weak, isnt very good at passing, doesnt get around the pitch well to tackle and couldnt adapt to the pace of the prem
Dan did you honestly manage to glean all of that about Diarra based on 3 appearances?
Kwame your post will make sense to most people with a modicum of football knowledge and sense. If Diarra can hold his hands up to being OTT & over dramatic as he was mostly injured, it will save the club the nonsense of trawling through the transfer market full of sharks dressed as agents.
For the people out fishing or simply repeating stuff they overheard we’ll never get through as they lack that essential grey stuff between the ears.
Look, yes I can, when he wasnt injured he was given a chance to prove himself and he didnt take it and then moaned abiut being benched. I watched him for france and he wasnt all that either way. Hes also on 60k a week
So Dan you deduced from 3 appearances in English footy that Diarra wasn’t cut out for English football? Blimey I remember it took a certain Carlos Tevez 20 odd appearances to score for us; by your logic he should’ve been pushed out the door after a handful of games.
Diarra hasn’t really had a proper crack at English footy as 3 appearances clearly isn’t enough, a man of his pedigree can be a massive asset for us.
well said mate. I am praying big sam decides to have him in the starting line up ! as much as it hurts me to say it, he’s better than noble, collison and oneil, so he should have been playing. we got him for almost nothing so it’d be crazy to move him on. The only reason he threw his toys out the pram was because he isnt used to being left to rot on the bench. he’s 31 years of age and clearly wants to playing reguarly before retirement. Im sure sam will play him alot more this time round, i mean we all know sam likes tall players and this guys about 6’2 !!!
Jim,
As I said previously, Lynn is doing well and is now doing some local amateur dramatics – Pirates of Penzance. Michael’s now an airline steward and Cynthia’s pregnant, again.
I’m still waiting to hear if I can go back to work after the accident. Fingers crossed.
Hope you’re keeping well and Chantelle and the kids are ok. The next time you’re in Dudley and fancy fly fishing or Wu Shu let me know.
All best,
Trevor
Let’s clear a few things up diarra got injured and then went out on loan . His had a parting go at Sam so his days are numbered . Now mark noble and diame are great midfielders and I’d like Parker and Huddleston probably get the pair cheap . Mallony from Wigan would create the flair which we lacked last season
Diarra is a spoilt brat, to many French players are. Get him off the wage bill now. Can anyone tell me 1 week where he actually earnt 60 grand, just 1 week in the whole season. No commitment for our cause. At least when noble plays what you think he lacks in skill, he defiantly makes up with effort. Just watch Carroll, that’s 100% effort.
Funniest comment I think i’ve ever read from Trevor.
Wu-Shu??
Why do you think the Hammers had such a poor goal scoring record . Noble is slow , lacks vision can’t do the hard yards and cant take a free kick … yes he is loyal and takes a good penalty but he is not Premiereship class. Diarra is a class act , or was ? it is up to Sam to control him and get the best out of him
SOMEONE TELL ME WHATS HAPPENING WITH DIAME ! IS HE INJURED ? WHY IS HE NOT TAKING PART IN PRE SEASON ?!?!?!?!