We write continually about the ageing trio of strikers at London stadium. West Ham front men Antonio, 34 Ings, 32 and Fullkrug 31, it is true have a combined age of 97 and well documented fitness and fatigue issues. Ings and Fullkrug on a good day are never the fastest – but this trio are not anywhere near ‘elder statesmen’ status by Premier League standards.
From skysports.com comes ‘the premier league’s oldest goalscorer‘ which makes interesting watching as a West Ham fan: all of the top ten are significantly older than our trio – and the oldest is a Hammer. Maybe there are a few more miles on the clock for Antonio (main image) and co?
The three oldest goal scorers are, in reverse order :
3rd oldest-Thiago Silva – Chelsea 39 years,6 months and 16 days
2nd oldest – Dean Windass – Hull City – 39 years,7 months ,21 days
And sitting proudly at the top of the list:
Oldest Premier League goal scorer – Teddy Sheringham – West Ham – 40 years, 8 months, 24 days.
Suddenly our trio seem like Spring chickens. Sheringham was a wonderful athlete and a player who used his brain to make up for his lack of top pace. Always seemed to know where the ball would be, and had that ability to ‘hang’ in the air to get his head to the ball first.
Fullkrug at 31 has another nine years to go then. I seem to remember watching him ‘hang’ in the air, a little reminiscent of the great Sheringham in the brief sixty-odd minutes he has played for West Ham so far.
Nothing to worry about, when he finally gets himself fit. He’ll be banging in goals for most of the next decade to come if this list is anything to go by.
We might be a bit hasty writing the big German off. After all he is a full International, 14 goals in 22 appearances which is not too bad at all. Lets give him a chance which is something Moyes never really gave to Haller and Scammy. Obviously he’s gotta keep fit.
By the end of the season the combined age will be 100. Are the club hoping for a telegram from the king?
Knowing us, if Antonio has 1 or 2 good games, we’ll probably offer him an extra year.
Even though we completely messed up with the Fullkrug signing, which most sensible fans called before the signing was completed, Ings and Antonio going off the wage bill in the summer does give us an opportunity to bring in someone decent for next season.
Hopefully not another 30 something from the Bundesliga that Tim’s mates with. Or someone like Callum Wilson just because he’s represented by Sullivan’s agent mate. You can see I have plenty of faith in us to get this right…