At a time for many firsts I’m not sure if I ever remember a youth player, just having broken through to the first team, putting in a wage demand and threat of a move away, having played less than ten first team matches. I’m sure that someone will let me know if so. Has this ever happened before?
The power of agents in today’s market has risen way too far in my view. For many negotiations the agents now hold strong cards but in Jeremy Ngakia’s agent’s case I’m not so sure if he’s overplaying his hand.
For Jermey it’s one helluva risk to be taking. Having only just broken in to the first team at West Ham he is potentially jeopardising his entire future before it’s really started. One, very realistic, outcome for Ngakia is that he is signed by another club, most likely of similar stature to West Ham because of his expectation of first team football, as a free agent and fails to slot in to the first team. He could easily be dropped down to the U23’s or loaned out to a lower league club. Another possibility is that he goes to a club playing regular European football and never makes it in to the first team before being loaned out to a lower league club and never making it back. Injuries have given the youngster a great opportunity to have a run in the team so I’m surprised at the demands of a contract paying more than any other player who was in a similar position to him in the past.
As things stand David Moyes has given Ngakia his chance. It’s true to say he’s grabbed it with both hands and impressed. Against Liverpool he was impressive and had the, overwhelming, majority of West Ham fans calling for him to be given a run. The manager has even played Ngakia after his refusal to sign a new contract with West Ham which, psychologically, was a smart move from the Scottish gaffer. Surely Ngakia will now be thinking that he has a great opportunity with West Ham but will his agent still influence the youngster towards a move away with his own self-interest (ie. cut of a contract) the main motivating factor? Risking what he’s achieved so far will, no doubt, be on his mind over the coming days and weeks.
The way things stand I can see things going awry for Jeremy. Having sacrificed so much, worked so hard and had the fortune to be given the break that he has I fear he may be on the cusp of making the worst decision of his career based on what his advisors are telling him. Only time will tell.
Away from contract and transfer matters there have been quite a few other firsts. Never before have top tier teams been allowed to make five substitutions in a game. Many have criticised David Moyes’ in game changes since Saturday’s loss to Wolves. I’m not sure there was much he could do about Adama Traore, and hindsight is a wonderful thing, so I don’t hold Moyes responsible for the way the game changed after the substitutions, however I do wonder if he might consider giving opposition more to worry about with a triple substitution in the future. I also wonder how long it will be before we see the first change of more than three subs at once to change things up or rescue a game. Perhaps a double then triple, or vice versa, strategy? One I’ll be interested to keep an eye on.
Among the other firsts were fake crowd noises coming through our TV speakers at home. I did have to laugh during the Merseyside derby last night when the crowd sound operator hit the wrong buttons on a couple of occasions following Everton strikes on goal. Definitely another first hearing the ‘oooooh’ of a near miss quickly followed by the cheering of a goal scored swiftly replaced with the previous noise once more.
The drinks breaks are another first, as far as I can remember, which also seem to have more of a negative effect on the flow of the game. How long before commercial breaks while the players squirt Lucozade sport, from their drinks bottles, down their throats?
So, sadly, from firsts to a last. I’d like to add my voice to the many who have paid tribute to the life and spirit of the amazing Dame Vera Lynn. Originating from East Ham Vera Lynn epitomised the strength of character, warmth, grace, optimism, selfless attitude and traditional East End values that she became known for. The ‘Forces Darling’s’ effect on the nation’s state of mind during the dark days of the Second World War cannot be understated. I read somewhere that the players would come out to the usual bubbles from the bubble machine accompanied by her version of the famous West Ham anthem on Saturday but was disappointed that the usual version of the song was played however I was pleased to see the tributes to her displayed on the screens during the pre-match build up. Along with a celebration of her one hundred and three years of life my thoughts and condolences to her nearest and dearest at this time.
Peaceful Journey Dame Vera. RIP.