Marko Arnautovic may have taken the first steps into re-establishing himself with the Hammers faithful!
There are those of course who will never forgive, never mind forget, the events of January and there is little doubt that the Chinese stuff was a big factor in destabilising our season.
Earlier of course there had been the white noise from his brother rabbiting on about a move to Manchester United or any Champions League club.
It always struck me as ironic that there was no bid at all from any club of that kind and when reality bit we were looking at a club that many had never heard of previously.
On Monday evening – after a too long period of recovery from that saga and injury – we finally saw again that in reality the bloke is the best striker on the books and looking set to recover some real form.
So do we forgive and encourage or do we continue to treat him as a footballing leper?
No words of mine will change attitudes but I hold the simple view that if he continues to show form that improves our chances of winning games that’ll do for me.
I don’t have to like him, pamper his ego or become personally involved – he’s just another player here to do a job and so long as he’s doing it that’s enough.
Once switched from the alien right sided role to his usual central position on Monday night the impact was immediate as the Irons carried far more threat and purpose.
There’s another issue that needs remembering. In nine days time Arnautovic hits 30 years of age which in footballing terms is a life changing number.
Transfer values fall and contract extensions become less and less likely.
With a deal in his pocket until 2023 it may just be that we could see a different attitude and approach as the reality of life towards the end of a football career sinks in.
To me he looked like he was trying on Monday so if he continues to improve he may get back to his best. Getting on his back won’t help , remember the player he can be ! I will support him and the team who need to be on it as a team from the whistle .
I think that the answer to this is simple – if he shows a good attitude and plays well then we support him for our mutual benefit
I remember that Tony Cottee left us to join Everton – he believed that playing for a bigger club (which they were then as they even won the league one year) would improve his prospects of playing for England. He was booed when he played against us but all was forgiven when he rejoined us
Slaven Bilic also left us for Everton and was branded a traitor (although he waited until the end of the season to help stave off relegation) – but was welcomed back as “one of our own” when he became manager
So if Arnie starts to bang in the goals I think that we shoudl support him as long as he doesn’t start throwing his toys again
Didn’t see anything that convinces me he should stay . If he stays and proves me Wrong that’s all well and good . I’d be happy to admit I was mistaken . But it was Snodgrass who made the difference in the second half , not Anautovic . The whole team needs a shake up and stir . Right now we need to start games from the first whistle instead of on 40mins .
The target now is to finish in the top half , then a decent summer transfer gambit . Pelligrini deserves time to improve us . We are far from satisfactory and there is obviously a long way to go but given time I’m sure he will create a very useful outfit . Roll on Summer Holidays .
Majorca ( Mallorca) beckons .