It is difficult to know what to make of the current Ravel Morrison situation. Having shown some examples of his prestigious talent in the early part of the last campaign for West Ham, the youngster’s form largely petered out up to the New Year. After various rumours of behind the scenes problems between Morrison and manager Sam Allardyce, he was then sent out on loan to Queens Park Rangers for most of the second half of the season.
With his loan spell over, Morrison is due to return to West Ham, with one-year remaining on his contract at the Hammers. The time has now come to make a decision on his future this summer, with many rumours of interest from other Premier League teams.
Whilst he would appear to remain quite popular with much of the support, who would not want to sell the England U-21 international, I think that the club should be ready to cash in on Morrison, for the right price.
At this moment in time, it seems doubtful that Morrison will sign a new deal at West Ham, particularly whilst Allardyce remains the manager, when considering the alleged dispute involving Morrison’s agent. We are therefore in the position of having a player for another season, who is unlikely to suddenly push himself into a regular first team slot, and then losing him for absolutely nothing next summer. At least if we were able to get a transfer fee in excess of £5million, that would be a significant return on the player the club signed for a relative pittance two-and-a-half-years ago from Manchester United. It would also be money that can be used to help with the much needed strengthening of the squad this summer.
To me, all the difficulties that Morrison probably brings to the dressing room in terms of his attitude, and alleged fallouts with teammates, is not worth putting up with for the performances he has shown on the pitch when he has played for West Ham.
Sure there have been a few mazy dribbles, some pleasing tricks with the ball, and of course THAT goal against Tottenham Hotspur, but when can it honestly be said that he has made a truly match changing contribution whilst playing for West Ham? Much of the time he’d be a peripheral figure in matches, the game seemingly passing him by, providing little creative edge. When he was in possession, too often Morrison seemed more interested in showcasing his individual talent than passing to teammates in better positions.
With such obvious natural technical ability, for years people have been willing to be patient with Morrison, hoping that his attitude improves and that under the right tutorage, can hone his talents into becoming a star. This still hasn’t happened, however, and when you look at how other youngsters if a similar age, such as Ross Barkley have developed last campaign, you have to wonder why Morrison hasn’t got anywhere near this level.
It is too easy to blame Allardyce for this, as many supporters like to, arguing Morrison has not been played in the right system or dosen’t suit the style of play he employs. The truth is that Morrison was given plenty of game time in central midfield, but seemingly became worked out by opponents and had less and less impact on matches as the first half of last season progressed.
It is also noteworthy that supposedly one of the best man managers in the game in Harry Redknapp did not fancy using Morrison for much of QPRs Play-off campaign. If he is as great as many believe him to be then shouldn’t he be tearing apart Championship sides?
With all this in mind, I would happy with receiving a transfer fee of anything over £5million for Ravel Morrison. It may be the case that Morrison really sorts himself out in the future and goes on to become a quality player. So far, however, three of the most seasoned managers in England in Sir Alex Ferguson, Sam Allardyce and Harry Redknapp have tried and failed to unlock his full potential and that says it all for me.
I agree instead of losing him for nothing next year but however much of a prick he is he is worth at least £10m cos he is an outstanding talent what ever way you look at him. Maybe a deal between man city for Scott Sinclair and Richards in a swap deal could be great for us. Sinclair is under rated and could fill ravel shoes and less headache.
I’m sure there were some doubters who’d have said the exact same thing about di canio at times during his time with us but I personally wouldn’t have sold him for any amount and was sad to see him finally go. Why not try and fix a problem rather than pass it on… Especially when that ‘problem’ may reward you handsomely.
I dont understand what the deal is, why is everyone quick to make judgements based on what the rags are saying?
He seems to have grown up a little bit of late and is a talented little player. What has he actually done at West Ham to make you think that he is a problem? I mean since he broke into the team? I don’t remember any actual incidents that made me think he’s going to be a sh*t bag.
Let’s get behind the lad and start showing him the support that we show for our young academy players when they are pushing for the first team.
1. Morrison was carrying a slight injury in the playoffs, he walked onto the pitch at the final on crutches. Hence Harry’s precaution to use him.
2. He wasn’t played behind the striker ever. Nolan was suspended and Morrison was played deep during those games. That is where he should have played, he was categorically not given that opportunity.
3. Ross Barkley was played in that attacking role all season. Martinez says he played him there so when he gave the ball away it was less costly. Playing Morrison out of position led to his poorer performances.
4. He was left out for Taylor because we needed a defensive midfielder with Nolan in the team. He’s not a traditional centre mid. He’s nothing like Mark Noble, not playing him in an advanced role was Allardyce’s fault not his own.
5. He was our top scorer with Carlton for long periods of the season. Nolan only surpassed both of them because of Sam dropping the pair. You can hardly say he was figured out by the opposition more than other plays; especially when his record clearly shows he has a better goals to games ratio than both Nolan and Carrol this season.
Moot point get your facts right before you write an article.
Well said, Nick.
Morrison was on the bench for both the playoff second leg and the final so he can’t have been that badly injured. Also I think he had more than enough chances to shine at West Ham last season if he was as good as your making out in midfield. To me we should have seen more whatever position in midfield he was playing in. As I put in the article when did he actually win a game for us? We were already 2-0 up v spurs and his other two League goals came in defeats. Not just his fault of course but our form noticeably picked up when Morrison didn’t play in the second half of the season.
Ravel is the sort of pkayer teams get built around. He can go on to be a top top player. There does seem to be baggage, but hes not the first and wont be the last to have a few pronlems. Its up to BFS and the club to manage them properly. Ravel has the talent and hopefully the will to prove doubters wrong, I hope that it is at West Ham in a team that entertains and plays in a style to suit his game.
Letting him go now for a few million would be a big mistake. It would compare with Southampton selling Gareth bale or theo walcott etc. look at bale for instance Even after he was at spuds to start with spuds couldn’t win a game with bale in the team and there were calls to sell him or drop him from team. 2 years later he was worth 80 million
Nick, Jenas was on crutches, not Ravel Morrison
Morrison is young and has good potential,why sell him for a few million.why are we so impatient to let him learn his trade?hes not that much of a badboy look at Gascoigne and the things he used to get up to
Morrison has shown glimpses of what he can do,hes still a youngster,be patient give him another chance,I dont see the hurry to get shot of him?5 million is nothing in premier league budgets.maradonna,gazza,di canio,most of the mavericks aren’t yes men types
While nobody wants to see Ravel leave, it may be as much his decision than West Hams?
I’d be delighted with a straight swop for Jonjo Shelvey (At least he would have the club at his heart, and paired with Noble, would make a good centre of the team…
Sign him up to a new deal. He is an outstanding talent, and IF we do start to see a more attacking style of play this season it will suit him perfectly. If we sell him, he will almost certainly go on to score 15+ goals a season for someone else, work his way into the England squad, and quadruple in value. Oh wait a minute – that would be a classic West Ham thing to do!