Comments on: Faubert Set for Nantes?

By: DevoDevo

DevoDevo — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:36:40 +0000

Let’s get one thing straight. West Ham will never challenge the likes of Man U, Liverpool or Chelski, in it’s current ownership. The best we can hope for is similar to what Villa are beginning to achieve.

West Ham already has a decent spine to the side and are only a couple of players off being a top 7 side. What we can do better than most is bring on our youngsters and complement them with the odd expensive ‘class’ purchase.

This is what I believe Zola signed up to, working with good young talent and nurturing them – Jesus, he’s even got Carlton scoring after one lesson!

Has it not been for the greed of previous board members, the current West Ham team would contain at least half of the England team.

For the future; we will have to keep these players instead of cashing in on them. This is the only way we will ever compete consistently at the top. The alternative is continuing failure, mid-table mediocrity and occasional visits to the Championship.

Key to this, will be the identity of the new owner and his aspirations.

By: Sactown Hammer

Sactown Hammer — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 04:24:54 +0000

sorry previous post should of said I’m not trying to bash the hammers.

By: Sactown Hammer

Sactown Hammer — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 04:23:44 +0000

As I mentioned earlier SJ, how many of the above players would be starting for any of the top Five. I’m trying to bash the hammers, but to make a point about the defination of class players. Are you talking about starters on respective national teams? then yes Berhami, Bellamy and neil are consistent starters. To throw Noble or Collison in the equation is premature. You after perform at a high level consistently. Noble performed admirably two seasons ago, and was an important factor in saving the hammers from demotion, along with Green and sadly, Tevez. But watching him this season, there are times where he disapears. That is not class. I have watched Collison play very good since Zola gave him his chance. But Parker is too injury prone, as well as Ashton and Dyer, not just this seson but prior ones as well. Like I said before, I,m not here to bash the team, its more of the point you need role players to make a team work. Players that know their roles and perform when asked are almost import as the Class players. I have been able to keep up with all this information from reading on the internet and what I see on Sky Sports. So remember my prespective are from far away and not in the stands where most of you get to see. My hope is this team gets new ownership and are able to keep its best players. My point was that every team has role players.

By: SJ Chandos

SJ Chandos — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 01:58:05 +0000

I respectfully have to disagree with you Sactown Hammer. Noble, Berhami, Parker, Neill, Collison, Colins, Bellamy and Illunga are not just squad players. Add them to Upson & Green, the injured trio of Ashton, Dyer & Gabbidon and promising youngsters like Tomkins and Sears and the existing squad has a quality core.

Some players need to be moved on and the quality needs to be improved, no question, that is the whole point if we are to progress as a club. But I do not think things are as bad as the picture that you paint. There are a lot of PL teams that would like our players, hence the current interest ahead of the January window.

By: Sactown Hammer

Sactown Hammer — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 01:04:08 +0000

I have to disagree with Kim. Neil is way better than Spector. Not sure I can believe that. I do not attend games (live in the states), but what I have seen on tv, Neil makes way too many mistakes for someone of his wages. That sort of money should be spent on a Class player. This notion of only 22/23 Class players is laughable. We have twoClass players at the moment that have stayed healthy, Green and Upson. Everyone else that is not injury prone are squad players. Just because you have Class players does not guarentee success. NY Yankees over here have one of the highest payroll of any sports franchises in the world, and they were mid table at best. How many of our starting 11 would start on one of top five? Alot of times chemistry works better and bloated ego’s.

By: jon.london colney

jon.london colney — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:31:02 +0000

mullins is brilliant at his job and never complains about being a squad player,when hes needed he does a steady job and is excellengt cover for any injuries that WILL occor

By: SJ Chandos

SJ Chandos — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:00:05 +0000

Faubert probably did look a class act in the French League, but the PL is far more demanding. I think a move back to France will benefit both Faubert and the club. The fee of c. 5m will be welcome and added to the anticipated fees of c. 6-5m for Walker, Davenport, Boa Morte, Bowyer and Quashie and we would have a transfer pot to fund 2 permanent deals and a loan in January.

I also thinkthat the youngsters will be brought on and that others such as Cole, Etherington and Spector will possibly be moved on in the summer. We are aiming for a first team squad of 22/23 class players, supported by a shadow squad of promising youth players pushing them.

In my view, based upon past performance, Spector is adequate and no more. His biggest strength is his versatility as a squad player. I agree he could be important for the remainder of this season, especially as cover for Neill. Zola’s project at West Ham will see an improvement in the quality of the squad and its augmentation and replenishing via the youth system.

If the likes of Payne, Harvey, Lee, Widdowson, Kerns, Spence and Stanislaus follow Noble, Sears, Collison & Tomkins in to first team then we could have a real embarassment riches in the not too distant future!

By: chris

chris — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 22:52:38 +0000

U tube can make anyone look the part!!!! U tube showed Di michele had pace,was a freekick specialist and could turn defenders inside out,where’s all that gone!

By: Another Paul

Another Paul — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 22:23:45 +0000

Would be more upset about losing some of the others!!!

By: paul

paul — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 22:00:10 +0000

Agree about Spector and I also felt the same about Pantsil who I feel was not given a fair crack of the whip