From pantomime villain to Hammers hero in about three months is a pretty good performance by West Ham’s number nine Callum Wilson.
Two more goals today by the veteran striker should have seen West Ham claim all three points, but his premature withdrawal at about 50 minutes by a ultra-cautious Nuno cost the Irons dearly.
Described today as ‘A brilliant performance’ by Hammers legend Tony Cottee, Wilson’s West Ham heroics will not be going un- noticed elsewhere in the Premier League.
The 33 year old is on a one year, pay per play and pay per goal heavily-incentivised contract at West Ham. But for how much longer?
Playing as well as he did today and doing his utmost to stay fit, Wilson has every chance of achieving his 100 Premier League goal – milestone.
What West Ham do next can be pivotal to his, and the club’s future. Do they offer enhanced contract terms to try and keep Wilson at the club after May, or risk another admirer sneaking in and whisking the reborn striker away: It is quite a dilemma.
And what of the recruitment plans. Niclas Fullkrug – looking utterly disinterested today in his twenty minute jog around – looks a sure fire bet to be gone on loan, if not sold in January.
With Wilson in this form, he’s a shoe-in for a start every week but let us hope David Sullivan doesn’t start to think he can get through another transfer window without spending on a striker. Even for ‘born again’ Wilson, there’s only a finite amount of mileage left in the tank. But then again, no doubt that was the judgement Newcastle United made when they didn’t renew Wilson’s contract last summer.
I’ll bet they’re rueing that decision right about now.
Millionaire players that can’t play 90 minutes and a millionaire coach exhibiting more guesswork and gambling than know how. Yes, a point is better than none, but we are fighting for survival, so not good enough. An easy one next against Liverpool, so a chance for redemption.
His injuries can’t be swept under the carpet as if they don’t exist.
Still need to sign c/b and striker in January as a minimum.
Goalkeeper needs to be put on back burner.
Afcon could be a problem but has been recognised hopefully Scarles should be back.
Whhhoooaaaa, still early days so let’s see how long he can maintain fitness.
Credit to the bloke, Callum’s looked sharp and everyone knows he’s quality but he has history of being injured for long spells and he’s not getting any younger, so let’s review situation in New Year.
As Taffy says, regardless of Wilson situation we need a number one number 9 with a few others in January,, a window that will decide if we remain a Premier League team next season.
Just doing the job he was recruited to do. Only ever a fill-in guy until we have our present and future centre-forward leading the line on a permanent basis.
Doing a marvellous job, by the way. If Niclas Fullkrug had been brought on before Tomas Soucek and we seemed to only want to play in our box, then we might have seen a different Fullkrug. Happy with a point but it could have been a resounding win.
Keep up the good work Callum and good luck in the future.