Former West Ham striker Tony Cottee is backing forward Jonathan Calleri to kick on from his first goal for the club against Middlesbrough last weekend.
The Argentinian met Cottee at the Hammers training ground this week, and writing in his column for the Newham Recorder, the ex Hammer says it reminds him of his own experience, struggling to get off the mark at the start of his West Ham career:
“It was great to see Jonathan Calleri open his account. He introduced himself to me as well at the training ground and now he has scored a goal, however fortunate it might have been, he will hopefully score plenty more.”
“Sometimes you just need a bit of luck. I remember in the 85/86 season, Frank McAvennie had started the season well, but I didn’t score in the first six games and I even went on to the bench.”
“Then in the seventh game against Sheffield Wednesday I hit a weak volley which went through the keeper’s legs and I then went on to score in the next six games.”
Calleri’s future at West Ham has been subject to intense speculation with La Liga side Las Palmas looking to set to seal a loan move for the 23 year old. The Spanish side’s president has however told the club’s radio station that despite the player being expected to travel to Gran Canaria to finalise the transfer at the start of the week, West Ham failed to confirm that the deal could go ahead.
The forward could still be leaving before the end of the transfer window but after his first goal of the club, it looks Slaven Bilic may be taking another look at him.
