We all love a bit of easy street once in a while. If we’re particularly talented then we may feel that we can, probably, get away with a bit of coasting more than others might do.
When it comes to big money signings there are often big egos that arrive at a club at the same time. The sense of entitlement that can accompany the big egos has plagued our club more than many others. Within the current squad roster, without naming names, there are certainly those who fall in to the ‘Happy Hammer’ category if not without the booze culture that was originally associated with the phrase.
From what I’ve seen of David Moyes he appears to be wise to West Ham’s tendency to pander to marquee signings where it leads to players coasting. Known for his team’s work-rates throughout his managerial career I am hopeful that the same ethic will be achieved at our club. For those who have come to the club for big fees and have failed to deliver I suspect that, unless there’s a marked change in approach, their days may well be numbered.
With the above being true it also has to be taken in to consideration that we want to see real talent brought in. It’s not, necessarily, easy to attract top players to West Ham. Often we see the perceived top priority targets get snapped up by bigger clubs. Eventually our third or fourth choice signings, for any specific position, end up being the ones that are brought in.
David Moyes’ signings, so far, at West Ham appear to be taking the same path that his recruitment at his previous clubs have. Less about selling shirts and more about development potential and graft on the pitch we’re seeing players like Bowen and Soucek bringing the right work ethic in to the team. The current gaffer is not always going to get it right. No manager in the history of the game, including the very best, have ever managed that feat however it is possible to focus on potential recruits with the right attitude. This seems to be the MO when it comes to new signings.
I’ve always been very tight lipped when it comes to transfer speculation. There’s so much rubbish touted around that I find more than ninety percent unworthy of any time to comment on. Once a player is brought in I’ll happily discuss them ‘til the cows come home but the tittle tattle that goes before is superfluous.
I’ll stick my neck on the line and state that I believe Moyes will get things right when recruiting players for West Ham. It’s something that he has a history of doing well and his time at our club, however long it ends up being, will be no different IMO. Unlike so many others he’ll leave us in much better shape than he found us. In the meantime I wish him every success in his time with the Irons. After all…isn’t that what we all want?
Away from the first team the Women are coming off a torrid match against Arsenal. One of the heaviest defeats experienced by the ladies was inflicted upon them against the Gunners after captain, Gilly Flaherty, was sent off for a second bookable offence. Following a creditable draw against Tottenham Ladies the week before, and a good start to the match, the North London team capitalised on the extra player with ruthless finishing. Matt Beard put forward that the result will not define the ladies’ season which resumes in two week’s time with a home game against Reading at Dagenham & Redbridge’s Victoria Road (or Chigwell Construction Stadium) ground. Games against Reading are usually highly competitive affairs with close outcomes. Let’s hope we come away with the first three points of the season on the board.
The fixture list wasn’t any kinder to the us in Premier League 2. Drawn away at Chelsea for the season’s opener Dimi Halajko’s charges battled hard but lost out 1-0 to the talented West London youngsters. Dion Rankin netted the winner in the seventy-sixth minute after coming off the bench a few moments earlier. The Blues took the lead after first hitting the woodwork twice however our lads threatened the equaliser towards the end with Sean Adarkwa heading Dan Chester’s cross just wide and Chester’s blocked shot on goal being the last kick of the game. The Spuds are up next this coming Friday afternoon.COYI!