Every club has had a character of ridicule. A player who is so laughably bad, that if an opposition fan decides to heckle him, there is little option but to join in the chorus.
However, with some of them, there can be a feeling of fondness for their fruitless efforts. Names such as Allen McKnight, Marco Boogers, or Iain Dowie have gone down in folklore as flops.
The problem with Modibo Maiga is that is has gone beyond a joke.
He has squandered the perfect opportunity to shine and to forge a name for himself for the right reasons on one of the biggest domestic stages in the world.
There have been glimpses of what he can produce, and that proves there was potential for him to be a valuable asset at West Ham.
When he was signed for almost £5million in July 2012, he arrived from FC Sochaux boasting almost a goal every other game.
But a record of just four goals in around 30 appearances is a poor showing, and his overall play is not reflective of his ability, which indicates a clear lack of application.
A player who appears to have no interest or passion for pulling on the team colours is never going to be held in high regard.
If he is on his way back to FC Sochaux in January, as reported, then that can only be a positive for the team as he will free-up funds for more willing replacements.
Fans a long sick of Maiga clowning around on the pitch, and his lack of delivery will ensure no one will be calling for an encore after he leaves.
Despite the poor miss, Maiga actually was impressive in patches versus Chelsea. Some good control and hold up play combined with winning most aerial duels. Not his worst performance and not the worst performer versus Chelsea.
you cannot be serious, maiga is better than carlton cole…. maiga is a technical player, and thrives off a quick passing game played on the floor
Didn’t realise he was still alive
I have seen maiga play in France and was impressed but in his defence he was always playing with two up front, and Carlton Cole has played his best football with two up front it’s not the players guys its the manger that needs to change the way we play, they are both better at the moment then that 19 million pound singing that gold & Sullivan made in the summer ( BAD MANAGEMENT ) .
I think Maiga could have been good for us if we had played to his strengths,he has given us glimpses of what he can do.The trouble is BFS kept using him,as he did with CC,as a front man which neither of them are.The lone striker works ok if it’s AC but not with MM & CC,play them together for a few games.HAS to be better than a no striker system which the other Prem bosses have sussed now.
that miss was from a deflection off Chelsea defender. difficult to react quickest. Maiga also intercepted a ball to set Ravel off a dribbling run in the first half..
Maiga is a decent player. Sam is at fault too.
Modibo Maiga was part of the best partnership up front in the french league a few seasons ago. The key is PARTNERSHIP. He was never a lone striker and Sam expecting him to suddenly become a lone striker is the real problem. People that have clearly no idea about a player, writing about a player is just embarrassing and poor writing. If you are going to slate a player at least look at the causes of why he has struggled and you will find that it’s not really been his fault.
The inability to change strategy/utilise members of the squad, respond correctly and change formation is what has gone beyond a joke. After Spurs victory Sig Allardici revelled in his superb strategy. That week in the ES he said it was a tactic not to keep using but always had it in his pocket if needed. He pretty much has played it the same ever since. I’m not one to start all this short-termist “sack him” rubbish but he really needs to look at himself and stop blaming the players. Everyone knows this is the result of not buying a decent (fit) striker in August but recent poor form has been due to his stubborness to stick with a plan that clearly is not working. He has January to fix it. Until then, I am very worried mostly because of his inflexibility. I don’t see us scoring against anyone right now. I hope I’m proved wrong on Saturday. We also need to stop talking about Carroll; when he comes back he wont be decently fit and he is fragile as an eggshell – the way he plays I’d expect him back in the treatment room in no time. COYI.