After months of speculation over West Ham defender Winston Reid’s future, Sam Allardyce has finally stated that “There is no future for Winston Reid at West Ham at the moment as his contract finishes on 30 June. ” It’s not an all out and certain no, but it has opened the door for clubs to start considering their offers for Winston should they be so inclined to put one in for him.It may not come as a massive surprise to West Ham fans that Reid will most likely be exiting at the end of the season (or prior to it, if a decent offer comes in, and we can find an adequate replacement.) Reid has been a mainstay in the squad since he joined in 2010, and although he has been offered a new contract, his contract negotiations have dragged on for months— and the defender has not seemed enthused or even excited about the possibility of renewing his contract and staying at West Ham beyond June 2015.
It doesn’t appear to be too rosy behind the scenes either, as Allardyce has based his statement on Winston’s lack of a claret and blue future on word of mouth, saying “It’s highly unlikely Winston is going to sign for us based on what people have said to me.”
So how big of a blow is losing Winston Reid for West Ham United? Well, like literally everything else even remotely related to West Ham, his value tends to divide opinion amoung fans. He was really poor in his first year but grew to be quite an influential and valuable player for the Hammers over the next few years. He’s been solid, reliable, and even came to be a captain in Kevin Nolan’s absence.
This season, however, I’d argue that he’s not been at his best. Truth be told, I thought after his poor performance against Arsenal (that penalty…) that any offer the Gunners would have made for Reid would be taken out the back of the Emirates and burned in a bin. He was better against West Brom but when switching the ball, it was held up for far too long at Reid’s feet every single time – giving Aaron Cresswell a heck of a task to get to the ball before the always-lively West Brom attack did. Of course he made several crucial saves in that game, but the West Brom goal was just too easy, and he hasn’t looked overly invested in games of late.
It’s hard to tell if he’s actually unfocused or if it’s just my perception of him, knowing what I know about his unease towards committing any further time towards his current club.
In that same vein, is it really bad that I’m looking forward to having someone playing for us who is committed to a future at West Ham, rather than letting unwanted speculation hang over what has been a truly successful season thus far?
Sure, we’ll miss Reid defensively, but think of the potential of the future. We’ve already signed a promising Canadian defender – Doneil Henry – and before we write off young, unproven defensive signings, let’s take a minute for how well Carl Jenkinson and Aaron Cresswell have done for West Ham so far this season.
No player is bigger than the club, and if it’s certain that we are to lose Winston Reid to pastures more wealthy – I mean new, obviously – it would be good if we could consider any offers that come in for him in January, so that we could consider getting some money out of his departure – money we could put towards finding a decent replacement.
He’s been good for us over the years, but I only want players at West Ham who also want to be at West Ham. Thank you very much for the past few years, Winston, but if your heart isn’t in it anymore at West Ham, please don’t let the door hit you on the way out either – and best of luck for your future.
We make the biggest mistake ever as a club agreeing to pay Carroll the stupid salary we offered when we signed him permently, instead of saying prove yourself first Andy, its not as if clubs were all queueing up to sign him, there was only Sam obsessed that he was the answer to his hoof ball style, which he has still not proved himself to be good at!
So it is no wonder talented players like Winston want an improved wage, the player wants to maximise his career here before on retirement he returns home to New Zealand! IF we cant come to an agreement then I wish Winston all the best, just like I did with Frank Lampard! and any player who moves on to improve himself! Does loyalty pay when you have someone like Sam who West Ham is just another job, I feel for Mark Noble who never gets the respect he so deserves! has Sam ever come out and pushed him for England? he did with Downing and of course will do with Carroll!
Just hope that who we sign to replace Reid is as good as he has.
Another nobody who thinks he’s a somebody. no respect, no loyalty. Over paid and under worked. He was never dicks or Stewart or martin. Bye bye Reid, by 2016 people will say Winston who
Amen…cheers Winston…a legend in your own lunchtime !!