If ever there was a transfer I regret it was West Ham’s sale of the magnificent Pablo Fornals. I’m sure his sale made financial sense as he neared the end of a contract and I know he expressed a desire to go back to Spain. But – we never even got to say good bye to Pablo, he was just ‘gone’. One minute atop the bus holding the trophy – and the next – out of the door.
His rendition of ‘West Ham are Massive’ will live long in the memory, almost as long as his scorpion kick against Bournemouth.
Pablo Fornals’ Scorpion Kick
Whilst Fornals’ potential never quite seemed to be achieved in Claret and Blue ( Or White and Orange), having come to us as an attacking midfielder always pushed into other roles, his attitude to training, to the fans and to the club was always amazing. Whatever role his manager asked him to play, he was there giving it his all even as a left sided defensive midfielder at times. He epitomised the “West Ham Way’ to me, maximum effort, total commitment, the odd flash of brilliance – occasionally awful – but always, always gave it his all.
His goodbye post on twitter nearly bought tears to my eyes: And now he’s been posting again, showing the ethos of ‘once a Hammer, always a Hammer’.
Congratulating the Hammers’ new skipper even though Pablo is now a regular for Spanish side Real Betis and thousands of miles from London Stadium shows true class. As does his message:
Says it all. Our respect for the 28 year old – is he really just 28? is immense. Can we start a petition to bring him back to the London Stadium?
Love Pablo, he absolutely got us fans and we will forever consider him one of us
A real Geezer. Criminal that Moyes tied him in knots.
Moyes, who?
Love seeing him bang the goal that kept us on tour at Az.real pro.
Ruined by Moyes.
Once he decided a player wasn’t doing all the idiot things not suited to his game, but which DM required, the were ostracized. He had two great seasons and things changed when Moyes lost the plot.
I think he would’ve thrived under JLo.
Absolutely gutted all round about Pablo.
A classy individual on all levels. Never wanted him to leave but he needed to go back to Spain for his family, so fair enough. I almost said he needed to go home, but he was totally at home with us and always welcome back.
What can I say , he always worked hard , not always the best player but DM destroyed him rarely playing him in a natural position . Loved Pablo , good luck to him and hope he does well and happy with the family life ⚒
I’ll sign the petition. Every team needs a Pablo!!!! Class
Great article. Feel the same about Pablo. Some players just get the club straight away and he was one of them. Good luck Pablo. COYI wherever you are!!!
Gutted when he left, thanks for that Moyes. He’d have gladly stayed if only he’d got occasional fair chances. Great footballer at times, always class as person.
Once a hammer always a hammer 🔨 aways in our hearts pablo
Great character. Cult hero but with head rather than heart ultimately not consistently good enough. Hasn’t pulled up any trees at Real Betis. 3 goals or something all season. International football has passed him by. Shame.
He was only there half a season went in January I’ve watched him frequently in his natural position and he’s looked very classy don’t forget rice played but rarely scored but didn’t play badly Pablo does that for bettis
This guy even tried Pie n Mash! He really embraced life in East London. Thank you Pablo our honorary Cockney Spaniard ⚒⚒⚒ you left with a lot of love & respect from us fans.
Pablo was great player played out of position he loves but no moyes playes Pablo different wtf it just tells me why and then let’s him go I would love to have him back playing all the best Pablo coyi
Met Pablo on holiday last year after he gave my son the thumbs up ( he was wearing his westham shirt) A truly nice guy not sure there are many players out there that would say hi to a fan that hadn’t noticed them first and a fan of his old club no less.
I’m sorry I’m going to disagree, he was a pussy, when you’re closing down an opponent you don’t do that from 10 feet away, it shows that you’re frightened to ‘get your foot in’ and when he was approaching a 50/50 ball he would slow up, at times everybody has to ‘roll up their sleeves’
He’ll be better off where he is, it’s nice football.
No, kin worried in case you get booked for being to ‘hard’ tackling!!!!! Kin Nancy rules now. Imagine Vinny playing like it, ffs
I’d have to disagree, he always gave his all & Moyes did him no favours playing him all over the shop
Poor old moyes. Get rid once. Beg him to come back. Win a trophy and get slated. Nothing more fickle than so called fans. I liked him. Great player. But he had a lot of poor games. Just remember the good and move on. No one cares if ya sat at Upton Park. Move on
Man I love Pablo! :(💔
A true Hammer you’ll be forever one of our family
Can we just move on from moyes im sick off hearing his name mentioned! He held us back for years with his negativity and boring demeanor. Let’s move on and embrace j-lo and Tim our new double act !!! COYI
💯%
I said at the time it was a mistake letting Pablo go. If you get a petition up to bring Pablo back I’ll definitely sign it
I’ll sign the petition. Every team needs a Pablo!!!! Class
He’s useless, much prefer Carlton Cole
What a guy, what a player, such a shame he won’t play under J-Lo