CONSIDER for a moment Claret and Hugh’s earlier article this morning concerning James Ward Prowse’s ‘high and dry’ status as a squad member apparently surplus to requirements. Expensive, unwanted – even at half his original fee- he sits at thirty one next month costing over £100k a week in wages and well-nigh unsellable.
No, this isn’t another ‘JWP’ bashing article. He’s not alone. West Ham have history with past-it, expensive, unsellable signings.
Exhibit two. Guido Rodriguez. Signed on a ‘free’ that cost several million in signing on fees, Guido is again earning close to £100k a week and is another ‘high and dry’ Hammer that the club can neither use or sell.
Exhibit three – Danny Ings. Could’t shift him for love nor money as he eked out his Hammers contract at well over £100k a week.
Repeating the same mistakes of signing past-it players on huge salaries
Spotting a trend here? Old players, signed as monuments to Premier League careers long since past their best. Got an old, once-half decent player who can’t hack it any more? No problem, give West Ham a call.
We seem to be buying players with both eyes focussed on the rear view mirror, looking at ‘careers that were’.
So when the Hammers are linked- consistently – with a winter bid for another almost-thirty year old, you just have to ask the question: Why doesn’t Sullivan learn?
Adama Traore is the latest name that is cropping up frequently, linked repeatedly since Nuno’s arrival with a West Ham winter bid. (“West Ham United are plotting a swoop to sign Fulham forward Adama Traoré in the January transfer window”)
I have nothing against him. Apart from his age (29) and his goal scoring record (4 in 66 games).
And this time next year he’ll be another 30-plus squad member whose best years are behind him, costing no doubt a fortune in wages and just about unsellable.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and aver again yet expecting a different result. Surely it is time to change the record West Ham, no more over-the-hill ‘monument men’. Please.
God rinse, wash , repeat Sullivan should not be making recruitment decisions on players. If amino wants him he has no more sense than others before him. Let’s buy players younger and on the up!
Traore is quick but has no end product. Never really rated him. Time to stay well away.
Could not agree more Martin, thanks for enforcing the point. They either need to stop doing it or write up a short term contract that can be cancelled if results are not forthcoming.
You could have said the same about granit xhaka and Jordan Henderson both of whom would have been a big upgrade on our midfield
Well said Martin. trouble is the man guiding the ship has got his blind fold on, that and deep pockets and short arms is not a good combination.
“Surely it is time to change the record West Ham, no more over-the-hill ‘monument men’.”
Perhaps you could include Mr Sullivan in that statement. He loves to populate the playing staff with oldies from yesteryear because that’s all he knows. Almost. He did sign young Summerville, bless him.
100% Martin, he hasn’t been a regular starter at any club, despite that he has been transferred for decent money multiple times. I remember when he scored against us, normally couldn’t hit a barn door with a banjo and finished like a pro, he has two assets physicality and speed apart from that he is useless as a footballer despite learning the game at Barcelona if we sign him heads should metaphorically roll in the boardroom.