Slaven Bilic’s decision to bring in first Nikica Jelavic followed by Emmanuele Emineke have not covered the manager in glory.
And the decision to start thrashing the ball to the far post when Andy Carroll appeared for the second period against Leicester was not appreciated by ClaretandHugh’s chief analyst Leroy Rosenior.
The former striker is an unashamed fan of the manager but was very surprised about the arrival of Jelavic and has addressed some harsh words at the Fenerbahce loan striker.
Speaking to us following the match against Leicester City he said: “Jelavic was never the man for me. He wasn’t a line leader, he didn’t link play and was really nothing more than a poacher without a lot of control.
“Slav has had a brilliant start to his managerial career at Upton Park but I think he might agree in retrospect he got those two wrong .
“Having seen him leave I was hoping we’d get a really good forward in on loan but I’m afraid that hasn’t proved to be the case.
“I don’t quite get why Emenike keeps getting on because he’s been off the pace and nothing like competitive enough for Premier League football.
“Enner Valencia has not looked the part either at all suddenly our options up front are looking thin. We are a very good team when we start to play but when Andy Carroll came on they started smashing it to the far post as we did in the old days.
“It wasn’t until Michail Antonio started that run and crossed for Cresswell that we looked like the team we all now we are and that’s how they need to continue.
“The team has looked jaded and tired over the last couple of games and, yes, it’s been a very long campaign so that’s understandable to an extent.
But we have to improve on what we have up front and I can see why the management is making the position a priority this summer.”
I agree that the team has looked jaded and tired over the last couple of games and qualifying for Europe is a little too early for us.
Maybe they were not the best choices, but largely overtaken by beautiful purchases: Payet, Lanzini, Ogbonna, Obiang, Antonio. I believe in Slav 😉
Bit of a pointless article tbf, nobody can get it right every time.
If Bilic had spent a combined total of 10-15 million on them I would agree but both combined have cost peanuts,both have come in as stop gap players during the season.Two players who cost about 3-4m between them I can live with when balanced out by the other signings made this season who have been excellent.No manager is going to get every signing right.Non event as far as I’m concerned.One has left,one will leave in the summer.No big deal.
Wtf is going on with Arnautovics head tonight,he looks like he has a dead sparrow on his nut,lol
I think the article is very appropriate – I got slated for being honest about the game when I said we were awful to watch but the reality is we were. I would prefer not to even have Carroll in the squad, because every time he plays the quality of our play suffers. Its been a great season but lets not fall into the carroll trap – Sakho and Enner up top on wed night please.
Awful to watch.What on earth are you on about.Sorry but I don’t get where you come from on many things Johnham.You are always down on the team & Bilic but rate Valencia as a top,top player?? OK,you are on a wind-up I guess.
Bilic has got far more signings right than wrong in my opinion and i trust his judgment .Not sure why people are knocking him for playing Carrol either ? He gives us a different option to change things about when needed and since being back in the squad has scored some crucial goals which has earned us some much needed points . When results aren’t going our way , which of late they haven’t it’s easy to start looking for scapegoats . The team are looking a bit tired now and Europe is looking a little doubtful now .We need at least 2 wins and probably 3 in the remaining games to make top six . But we must not lose sight of the fantastic job Bilic has done to have got us in contention this season .
Well said Pete,so true.We have had a top,top season as far as I’m concerned after the shambles of the second half of last season.As for a scapegoat it happens after every match we don’t win.Someone gets it in the neck every time on sites.
Haha,feck me we were awful to watch were we.Give it a rest John,lol 😀
Good job you don’t support Barca you would have jumped off a bridge by now after they went 39 unbeaten then lost all these games in a row.Awful,awful team to watch these days,lol 😀
The Spuds were singing the same Payet song for Alli, they are really, really original… but they are right to celebrate, the final second place will be a notable achievement… it’s such a terrible pity, this was just too close a call… well, next time, absolutely… lol 😀
Yeah I noticed that.Were singing about him being better than Zizou just as Delli ran round the keeper & hit the post with the goal empty.Yep definitely better than Zidane,lol
ahaha… yeah, that’s funny Rick.. lol 😀
Jelavic &Emineke both came in as cover and needed to be used more than planned. Both signed last minute with very little options available. As for AC sometimes a direct approach is needed but ONLY sometimes. . We MISS Sakho far too much and it looks like he may be going son I have NO idea where we will be, one thing that does worry me LFC are 1 point behind us with a game in hand, 8th place here we come
Anyone who thinks Valencia has been more effective than Carroll and that West Ham haven’t been playing hugely entertaining football all season is either a wind up merchant or the biggest plonker going. Emeneke and jelavic were only ever bought in as fourth choice back up bench warmers. Their best years are behind them. Unfortunately unexpected situations injuries etc have elevated them to a starting role. Next season I think we will bring in a top quality striker or two for sure.
To be fair we bought jelavic as a stop gap because we missed out on somebody else, cant remember who it was! Lol and eminike came in in january just because we didnt have any money to spend and with ffp rules he was someone who fitted into the wage structure. As slaven a laugh said they have only been used as much as they have out of necessity. We have been looking tired in the last few games which is probably down to starting the season so early with europa league games. We were picking up points earlier in the season because of our defensive solidity but in the last few games we have not been able to maintain it, it may just be fatigue but it has coincided with ginge getting injured. However the season ends it has been the most memorable and exciting season in years and with the olympic stadium move and hopefully a world class striker at our disposal we all have alot to look forward too…..besides our season isnt quite over yet …COYI!
strange comments from leroy – but certainly provoked a debate!
for me, Jelavic was brought in to replace Carlton as 4th choice striker. When he moved on Emenike came in to fill the same role. i see both as a step-up from Cole, and I cant honestly say i expected many goals out of either of them. Had Sakho been fitter and Valencia in better form neither would have as much of a look-in as they’ve had.
as for ‘smashing it to the back post’… with Carroll on what else would he suggest? and yet Antonio crossing to the far post to set up Cresswell is OK??
each to their own, but I seem to recall Leroy demanding that Carroll be sold in January – i’m for one happy that he wasnt, and that he’s started to prove his worth to the side.
Emenike has been a disappointment he hasn’t found his shooting boots, Jelly was more of a threat and more creative as a 4th choice striker apart from the wages Jelly was a decent option.