Hammers’ championship target gives big hint on future

Not so long ago, West Ham were considered ‘at the front of the queue’ to sign one of Sunderland’s up and coming youngsters – depending of course what happens in the Championship playoffs. ‘Pole position’ was I think how Claret and Hugh described the club’s position.

Suddenly it seems to have gone very cool with regard to West Ham and interest in midfield marvel Chris Rigg. Amidst links to Sunderland’s arch rivals Newcastle ahead of the playoff semi finals, Rigg hand been talking to the media and espousing his Sunderland credentials. Clearly if his side make it to the Premier League, Rigg won’t be going anywhere:

“Sunderland are my club, I’ve been here my whole life. I come from a family of Newcastle fans, there is no point hiding that, but it changes when you play for Sunderland in front of those fans…. it doesn’t change the way I feel about Sunderland. The fans have been unbelievable”

Unlike newly promoted Josh Brownhill who is displaying no such loyalty to Burnley as he ponders a summer departure, Rigg appears to be putting Sunderland first and foremost so long as they get their promotion through the playoffs. (Smart boy, best not to upset the faithful on the eve of a play-off semi final!)

What happens if they fail to make it out of the Championship is another matter. Rigg has been linked today with Newcastle – according to theshieldsgazette.com– along with “Real Madrid, Tottenham, Chelsea and Borossia Dortmund.”

So it looks as if the Hammers have slipped from being at the front of the queue to Rigg also-rans. Much depends on the play off finals but the Hammers certainly are no longer in that ‘pole position’ of just six weeks ago.