I see myself as one of the more positive West Ham United supporters. I’m happy with Sam Allardyce as the manager, I’m happy with the business we have done this summer, and I am very happy with our Chairmen (the only gripe I’ve had with them is the ticket pricing!).
However, after a quiet deadline day, which is unusual for West Ham, I heard some news which quite annoyed me. West Ham were giving a short term contract to free agent, and ex-Hammer, Carlton Cole. Now first of all, before you all start ranting and raving, we all know what a top bloke he is. We all know he was loyal when we went down, took a pay cut, and then scored 15 goals to help secure promotion back to the Premier League.
However, it’s fair to say that big Carlton is not the most prolific at the highest level of English football. On his day, he can be unplayable, but that’s his problem, we see one of those days once or twice a season. He got a fair crack last season due to Andy Carroll’s injury problems, and weighed in with just two goals. To put that in perspective, Modibo Maiga scored 4 goals in a very limited season appearance wise, his two league goals being scored as a substitute!
I know Maiga has started the first three games, and let’s face it, he has been awful. But to panic and sign Cole back, strikes of desperation. Why can’t the likes of Ricardo Vaz Te get a crack at playing down the middle? Or have his bridges been burned now that he handed in a transfer request? I’m not a fan of Vaz either, but he’s got to be better than Maiga and Cole? And what about Elliott Lee from the Academy? He scored a hat-trick last week, and is a tidy little player. But I think it’s the fact he’s a little player, is what puts Allardyce off using him. Then there’s Paul McCallum who is a much bigger player. Can they do any worse than Maiga has? Not really. Can they be more prolific that Cole? Probably. Would West Ham fans like to see them given a chance? Of course we would…
I will of course get behind Cole, as I did last season, and his previous seasons before that. If he scores a few goals, then great. But I will be surprised in the 3 months he’s been away, he has magically found his scoring boots. I hope he proves me wrong…
COME ON YOU IRONS!!
By Chelmo Hammer
CC only scored twice in a run of difficult games and with no help from BFS who of course refused to countenance the idea of a second striker – scoring against Chelsea where he was superb CC went on leading the line till the far from prolific AC returned – Maiga clealry isnt a line leader – indeed Downing will now be the preferred left footed player cutting in so Maiga wont even play wide once AC is back – and as for Vaz Te – if only his input on the pitch in terms of effort, covering back, sticking at it were half the inflated opinion he has of himself then maybe we could play him – but a line leader, no way – he needs a rocket up his backside but then the coaching staff are too busy yelling ( and that stupid whistling) at those who do perform ( Collins, Reid,Noble+Diame) to bother having a go at those who dont pull their weight( Te, Nolan,Jarvis ) – welcome back CC – now just go and prove all those who made you their favourite whipping boy wrong –
to right
The far from prolific AC scored 5 more goals than him, in a campaign hit with injury.
You can’t tell me that Cole doesn’t frustrate you when the ball skids away from him when he mis controls it, or misses a sitter from two yards out? You can’t tell me that you are happy with a striker who only scored twice last season?
I think the use of stats always confuse issues – I wonder how many of Nolans goals came from big Carlton making a nusiance of himself? Personally this deal is a no risk no brainer of a decision. I’m sure Carlton will come in fired up a bit. It’s not really costing us anything and simply adds a bit more depth to a paper thin front line.
My bigger concern is our transfer policy, or lack of one, during the window. It’s been clear since we let Carlton go we had to get another strike in as cover. We seemed to approach the transfer window with a less than focused scattergun approach. The clubs that did well, were all clubs with a clear policy and a confident understanding of who they wanted. Whether that was down to Sam being unclear in who and what he wanted or whether it was more about the business tactics of the Directors we’ll most probably never know. I suspect between now and January we’ll employ an even more cautious approach to games and then try and pick up a bit more quality in the next window.
Wonder no more. Last season, the grand sum of ONE of Nolan’s ten goals was scored whilst Carlton was on the pitch (versus Aston Villa over one year ago). So it seems that Carlton making a nuisance of himself helped Nolan to score just one goal. But that could be down to Nolan’s attitude – perhaps he doesn’t exert himself as much when his mate Andy isn’t on the pitch, who knows.
Good article. But the Cole issue has gone quiet since yesterday afternoon. Has he signed? Did he pass the med? There has been no official confirmation. Have I missed it? Hope there isn’t a final embarrassing twist.
I too will be right behind Carlton, or whoever starts up front for us (I will say, watching Lee & McCullum in pre-season, I dont think theyre not ready for a regular run in the PL yet) but putting aside all the supposed ‘good’ that the 2 David’s / Big Sam have done for the club so far (Nb. have you seen the ticket prices / our possession stats in games), this isnt the Carlton Cole debacle, its the West Ham mismanagement debacle – No one can suggest that the board are happy with Carlton Cole (David Gold has been calling for a ‘goal scorer’ since Carlton tenure at the club) or that anyone would have predicted in August that we would be asking Carlton to return or that, with our remaining budget of £6m, that it was a good move to spunk it on a ‘luxury’ player like Downing (regardless of what Kenny Dalglish paid for him) rather than spending it on a much needed striker (you dont let 3 go without replacing them) or that re-signing Carlton Cole is progression, as much as I like him. We have a wealth of midfielders – Collison & Taylor didnt even make the bench in our opening game & Morrison didnt feature either. And we really wanted a winger, why buy a ‘Matt Taylor mark II’ (i.e. a player on good wages with no resale value) rather than a Nathan Redmond type for half the price or even a loanee.
I was expecting big things in this transfer window, especially after the extra TV money PL clubs earned this season. Im not saying Carroll isnt a good buy for us (I dont think he is the most dynamic forward in the world but he suits us perfectly) and If we could turn back the hands of time to July 1st, Id still buy Carroll for £15m, but with hindsight, I think most people would agree that the remaining £6m could have been better spent (Anichebe anyone?).
COYI
I hear that CFC is not even fit, having not been training regularly. Surely not? A player in the window needs to keep his fitness should a club come knocking. If we are only signing him on a short term deal then he needs to be ready NOW! Still wont hold my breath, I remember the misses from 2 yards, replayed on Match of the Day, the constant Offsides and the falling over and limping for the rest of the game. Oh well, maybe Elliot Lee will get a look in and Andy Carroll will not get injured AGAIN this year.
Sully said that he wanted pace and goals. where are they?. He spent 15 million on a striker that no other club wanted at that price. I am sure he could have got him for much less. Sorry Mr Sullivan you flopped at this window.
Hows it going Chelmo.
Its never good going backwards but id rather have CC then no one. Our front line is a mess which can easily be resolved by changing the tactics. Square pegs in round holes don’t fit.
Yes with Carroll in the team 451…..without Carroll anything with 2up top please.
Come on BFS you no it makes sense!!
i’m not a cole fan due to him not being prolific in the goal scoring department but he can hold the ball up well and he could add something (if only a little) to a dire frontline at the moment, i’m hoping he can do us proud on his return.
Can I ask a simple question?
If we couldn’t sign anyone on transfer deadline day unless we off-loaded because of FFP.
How comes we can now all of a sudden afford Carlton Cole?