Former Hammers striker and top ClaretandHugh analyst Leroy Rosenior has called on the Irons to “sort out the Diafra Sakho situation as quickly as possible.”
And he has even offered to sit down with the Senegal front man if the club needs help in getting to the bottom of any troubles he may be experiencing.
Speaking exclusively to CandH Leroy said: “For me he is the best striker in the club. There’s no one else in the team that spreads the play like him and its a fact that the performances of other players dip when he’s not around.”
The club claim ‘Sak’ has fallen victim to an injury but there has been much talk of a fall-out with the boss after he was told he wouldn’t be in the team for the match against Arsenal last weekend.
He has also experienced a series of off the field problems which may have affected him and Leroy said: “I just hope there is someone in the club with whom he has a real relationship. Someone who can advise and help.
“Slaven will be too busy on various fronts but if the lad is lonely or has things on his mind he needs to unload he needs somebody. Having said that I’m sure Slaven will have a long chat with him.”
Leroy often works with the community relations area of the club’s business and offered to help saying: “I’m available and am used to dealing with players. I’m not pushing myself forward but just want people to know I’m here if they need someone.”
Rosenior makes no secret of the fact that he sees Sak as the club’s best striker saying: “How do you replace a guy like him – there’s so much in his game that helps other players. You’d need to find £25 million to replace him.
“He has pace, power and makes such clever runs, scores goals – what else is there?”
And he added: “Somebody has to do everything in their power to get to the bottom of things with him – f that’s what’s needed and only when and if it proves impossible should any big decision be made on his future.
“No player is bigger than the club and we are now a club at the top end of the market in buying and selling but hopefully there’s an answer to this.
“Quite apart from anything else, he’s a human being and if he’s unhappy and has some problems we need to help him sort those out.”
I totally agree with this article. I believe this issue has been caused by poor communications, by external factors not by the fact that Sakho wants to leave. I don’t think there is one west ham fan who does not believe he is our best striker. Todays game against Leicester is the ideal game for Sakho and Valencia, god we would score 3/4 against them. Instead this issue is going to lead to Carroll leading the line. Let us be very clear and again I know I don’t speak for every west ham fan but we are a far better team with Carroll on the bench. Players like Lanzini, Payet and Kouyate flourish with players with pace and movement in the team. I am so disappointed he is not in the squad today and I fear Bilic has missed a major trick here. This is a risk that should have been managed prorperly i.e. tell Sakho we are resting you for the FA Cup game and Leicester games.
Well johnham1, you have one person (albeit in Australia) who totally shares your views.
When Sakho and Valencia were playing together last season, the goals flowed!
Imagine, with both guys totally fit, and with our present squad, where we could be?!
Well done Andy, but he should not be part of the regular starting XI. Sadly, he is no longer fast enough to fit in with our style of quick passing, attacking soccer.
I fully agree with Leroy’s feelings and attitudes relating to Diafra!
If there were a way or means, I’d fly from Sydney to London to help out anyone of our players (I have had many years involved in the bio/psych/social support of my patients and former soccer players with whom I’ve been involved with). Now aged 61, West Ham have been a meaningful part of my life for over 50 years, and would dearly love to help out my beloved team.
Well done Leroy; our team is fortunate to have such caring and kind people as yourself!
I hope, that between you, Slav, and others who care about Diafra’s welfare, we will soon see him back to his best for. The same goes for Enner Valencia & Alex Song, who are players of tremendous potential!
COYI
Btw I am not one who tolerates players who believe they should be in the team by default. However I believe if players are performing week in week out then that’s their shirt and if you are going to drop them you have to manage that situation.
Spot on Leroy,for me Saks is the best forward we have at the club.Seems some fans are dismissive of his attributes because of their obsessional need for Carroll to be in the team.I rate Carroll highly but not to the point of him being the automatic ‘must play if fit’ choice.Still what do you know Leroy,you only used to play the game,lol
It shows the unity of the squad and the respect that the squad have for bilic when something like this happens and nobody at the club has spoken out publicly. I agree with leroy this situation should be sorted out asap. If sakho hadnt thrown his toys out the pram i believe that he would have started against man u and things could have turned out differently. He has chosesn the worst time to act up and if he really wants to go then he can f*** off. If he has no respect for everything the club has done for him , picking him out of ligue 2 mediocrity and giving him the chance to play football on the biggest stage in europe then he can go. ..what ever happens i trust slav to do whats best for the club…COYI!
P.s i agree with the comments about carroll. When he starts he changes the whole dynamic of the team and by default affects the other players performances. Everybody, payet included seem to want to just try to get it on his head when hes on the pitch and we become too predictable. We need pace and intelligence upfront to create the space for lanzini payet and antonio to thrive …carroll is a great weapon to have on the bench and maybe againstcertain teams whos defences are weak against his aerial threats like arsenhole but thats it …..⚒⚒⚒⚒
Assuming he has actually ‘acted up’ as bad as the rumour merchants like to put about.None of us really know do we & if he does have some personal issues regarding his new born or something else should we not cut him some slack instead of lynching him.As someone said the other day we read a lot on sites about #WestHamFamily but some of you want to hang him out to dry based on rumours.Its fans like you telling him to F#ck off based on nothing factual that would have been burning witches in the past,lol
No room for sulked or selfish or players with attitude. I like team players who play with a smile on their face like payet. If sakho can’t fit in then he should pack his bags same as amalfitano and Zarate. Slaven won’t put up with it and neither should he.
I really hope the club take up your offer of help Leroy if that is the case with Saks. If the rumours are true and he sulked out of the training ground before the Arsenal game then Slav has to impose a tough line on him otherwise you end up with anarchy. That is where somebody with connections to the club but not directly involved such as Leroy can step in if only to gently remind him Saks of what he has and what potentially he is throwing away. The situation undoubtedly unsettled the team before the Man U game so it needs urgently resolving before the remainder of the season finishes like a damp squib.
You are a depressing mob sometimes,lol.Got you lot doom & gloom here & the Wetpants already going into meltdown about the team today,Lmao.Big dark clouds everywhere 🙂