Two Italians joined West Ham on loan until the end of the season this week, namely Antonio Nocerino and Marco Borriello. From world-famous clubs AC Milan and AS Roma respectively. This triggered a minority of West Ham fans to look for faults, instantly. This type of pessimism is prominent in a large number of West Ham fans.
I feel it’s my duty to express the belief that every new player at West Ham deserves a fresh start, regardless of previous records. In this case, the Italian duo have relatively impressive records, but that doesn’t stop the pessimism from showing. I suggest this pessimism is perhaps due to the amount of disappointing signings that all West Ham fans have witnessed.
The younger of the two Italians, Antonio Nocerino is in the prime age of his career. He is 28 years of age who is an Italian international with 15 appearances for his country. As for his clubs, he has been a regular for Palermo and AC Milan in recent years. He has therefore gained a fantastic wealth of experience in Italian football, and a decent exposure to the International stage with an appearance versus England at the European Championships in 2012. I get the feeling from Nocerino that he ready for the Premier League relegation battle. Ready to fight for the club, and no fan should believe differently until he’s been given a chance to prove himself.
The elder, Marco Borriello, at 31 years old has an even greater wealth of Italian football experience. He has a successful and consistent goal-scoring record at Treviso, Genoa (2 spells), AC Milan, and a reasonable spell at AS Roma.
He was on loan at Genoa during the 2012-13 season. He was the clubs top-goalscorer with 12 (28 Apps), despite an ankle injury, which kept him out for around 5 weeks. They subsequently survived relegation that season with Marco being the key figure. He’s been in a relegation battle before and has successfully kept his side in the highest league in the country. Same again please, Marco.
I won’t deny that some signings warrant the pessimism, and that pessimism is usually proven just a few months later. Roger Johnson is a prime example. However, these two Italians are by no means in this category. Of course we are yet to see if they are up for the fight and will be able to prove their ability in the Premier League, but some players excel in the Premier League despite it’s reputation for the most difficult league in the world. They have to be given a chance at the very least.
FORZA MARTELLI!
I agree, they do deserve a chance. however, I think a lot of the pessimism stems from the lack of follow up activity. There seems a lot of reluctance at the club to let players go, therefore creating space for more new bodies. Diarra is not going to get a chance, move him on. Maiga has had his chance, move him on. there are also a few others that could fall into that bracket too and would free up space in the squad and on the wages bill. Loe has a good reputation and is young, his value would probably increase so it then becomes a sound investment too. We still need a ‘scorer’ type forward and McCormack may have been that man, he would also score goals in the championship, if the dreaded happens. Having said all that BFS may be playing his cards close to his chest and a late flurrie of activity may excite us all. Won’t be holding my breath though!!
Totaly agree they deserve a chance. And why is there pessimism? No player in our current squad is likely to be gracing turf at AC Milan or Roma!!!! It took Allardyce a long time before he played Rat, Romania’s captain with 90+caps. And the same with Morrison. So whether bfs will wait till the last few games of the season before we see these 2 on the pitch only he knows. I hope they feature very soon. But whether they will fit into the plan A style of play is anyone’s guess. And let’s hope they play in their recognised positions!!!! Sorry to be cynical, but this season has made me like it!!!