The past week or so has been a rather eventful one for us Hammers fans; with much news coming out of the club as the new Premier League season draws ever closer. A few transfers here and there, the odd contract refusal, and a player being arrested for assault – pretty standard, really. All jokes aside, the past seven days have been both productive and damaging for the club, and despite all the divided opinion at times, it’s fair to say that one thing we can all agree on, is that being a West Ham supporter can certainly never be described as ‘boring’ to say the least.
Starting on a good note, the signing of Ecuador international Enner Valencia was completed this week after the World Cup striker successfully obtained a work permit. Unfortunately, the club have this evening stated that the forward will not meet up with the squad until they return from their pre-season tour of Germany, so we will have to wait for the Sampdoria game at the earliest, to see the Ecuadorian in action. Valencia’s transfer, despite being a risky one due to the reported high price tag, is a transfer that excites me massively and I personally, am relishing the prospect of seeing the boy in action.
Carl Jenkinson, this week also completed a move to East London on a season long loan from Arsenal – another shrewd piece of business I am particularly pleased with. As I have said in previous articles, it is refreshing to see the manager and the board targeting youthful transfer targets with lots of potential, particularly as Guy Demel is not getting any younger. Despite being a fan of Demel, I feel Jenkinson will bring a lot more to the side in terms of attacking threat, whilst not abandoning defensive duties – I have spoke to many Arsenal fans and despite only making 37 appearances for the North Londoners, they have all sang his praises and had only good, positive words about the Englishman. I have no doubts that the youngster will settle in quickly at Upton Park, and I look forward to seeing him in action.
On a sour note, however, this week brought the news that the ever-controversial Ravel Morrison has been arrested and remanded for common assault, reportedly against a nineteen, and thirty-nine year old woman. Being just eighteen years old myself, I don’t think I’ve ever come across a more frustrating footballer than Ravel – his ability and potential simply cannot be questioned, but sadly he seems to always find a way to throw it all away. It’s been clear for all to see that since his arrival, Allardyce hasn’t been Morrison’s biggest fan, and perhaps we’re now seeing why. If the midfielder’s future at the club was questionable before this, I daren’t imagine what lies ahead for the England U21 international, now – it pains me to say it, but I feel Ravel is in serious danger of throwing his career away and forever being known as a ‘could have been’.
This will be ravel’s last, last chance
The only time you can say being a west ham fan is boring, is when we watch them play under BFS! Never mind looks like crouchy might be coming! Ha hahahahahahahahaha! U can bet your bottom dollar he’ll get more time on the pitch over Valencia n Zarate!! Why cause he’s summat for Collins to aim at n miss!
Just watched the game against Malaga. It would seem to me that SAMs NEW system looks an awful lot like his old system? I’m really starting to wonder if we will ever score a goal in open play again. If Sam allardyce is such a valuable asset to the club, you woukd think he could cope with a formation change as needed to save a match. It’s all well and good Buying very talented attacking players if you are going to use them in a defensive formation is not going to bring the best out of them, the exact opposite I would surmise. I know this sounds abit neigh sayer of me but I think the remaining transfer budget should be used to send mr Allardyce on his way. NOMORE 1 dimensional football please!