Some West Ham supporters took to social media to negatively reacted to the idea that the Hammers were considering swooping to sign defender James Collins.
The Sun reported on Thursday that the Hammers’ owners were contemplating offering the free agent a one-year deal in order to bring him back to the London Stadium after previously not renewing his contract at the end of the 2017/18 season.
Collins featured 214 times for the Hammers across two different spells and departed in the summer at the end of his contract after Manuel Pellegrini deemed him surplus to requirements.
One Hammers fan tweeted that they could envision the defender’s experience helping other defenders in the squad but that he would clearly be a fringe player if recruited.
Forever West Ham have rounded up some of the best tweets about Collins’ potential return below:
OPINION
While there are no doubt supporters of the Hammers keen for a fairytale-esque return for Collins to happen, it seems a fair share of fans aren’t convince that re-signing the defender is the right move. As one fan stated it would appear to be a backwards step for the club if it happened especially when the club have worked so hard to stress that it’s new era under Pellegrini. While the 35-year-old enforcer did deserve a better end to his Hammers’ career than the one he received, it doesn’t mean another spell for him at the London Stadium is in order. Collins struggled not only to impress last season but just to feature as injury played havoc with him. The experienced veteran only managed 13 league appearances in his 2017/18 campaign and one fan was spot-on when claiming that the defender’s time had clearly gone. However hopefully Collins does find the right club for the next stage, perhaps final, of his career as a club in the Championship would be lucky to recruit his services this summer.
Yeah that could be his role. Whatever happens I’ll back Pellegrini in what he decides of course but just don’t see how it’s a move in the right direction for us.
— Vince (@cenzo147) August 23, 2018
Love collins but his time has been and gone
..sad to say ..— dale the hammer smith.. (@TheHammerSmithy) August 23, 2018
We all love Ginge but how about just play Diop?
— ⚒ Vincent ⚒️ (Champion of Europe) (@TheModHammer) August 23, 2018
Would be good, he’s be a fringe player obviously. Be very good for the young centre halves we have signed to see the reception he gets. Something to aim for⚒⚒
— Declan keane (@Declankeane11) August 23, 2018
Makes no sense, he has been brilliant and I love him but it’s time to move on, our problem appears to be pace and mobility, this would be a step backwards, get him on the coaching staff for sure, to have him around some of the new lads that don’t get it.
— Mr M.Saffer (@hammersaffer) August 23, 2018
To use that well worn cliche ‘ good to have in the dressing room ‘ but at a stroke abandons the changes Pellegrini trying to implement . If could bottle his spirit and determination then please proceed but otherwise sadly it should not happen.
— mike warren (@mikewarren66) August 23, 2018
