What a predicament West Ham United are in. A loan striker leading the line, their youngest strikers now both thirty two, one crocked, the other so far past his prime but still paid £120k a week to sit on the bench. And the chances of Michail Antonio ever pulling on the 9 shirt again for the club would seem about as great as West Ham’s chances of making it into the Champions League slots.
Niclas Fullkrug at 32 years old now must surely be finished as a front line striker. The standard.co.uk ‘s report today that he is out until April means that this season will be a complete write-off for the £27 million Steidten signing: He has started three premier league games.
Out til April- Fullkrug has made just three starts in a West Ham shirt.
Luis Guilherme has yet to start a West Ham game after a spend of £25.5 million and must now be jettisoned in the summer to recoup some of ‘Steidtens millions’. The Hammers have a white elephant on they hands who might – might- be worth half what was shelled out.
At least with Summerville injured, Guilherme might get the chance to put himself in the shop window for the summer: His value can only go upward from where it stands right now. He showed flashes of pace against Chelsea and the young man might yet prove he’s an appreciating asset for the club.
On Fullkrug and Guilherme the errant Technical Director wasted £52 million. And still some readers lament Steidten’s sacking.
If ever there was an absolute cast iron argument for appointing Dan Ashworth as Director Of Football at West Ham United, that previous sentence was it.
Before ‘breaking the bank’ on another striker purchase in the summer, can we at least have the right person dealing with the acquisition of talent at West Ham? The long list of failed frontmen is quite long enough and it is time for an Ashworth-inspired success story.
With the proper care and attention I am certain this kid will be a revelation in good time . And I promise you l will make you EAT your derogatory words
Another negative article, Tim Vickery rates him as one for the future and is widely accepted as having a lot of talent for his age. He looked lively against Chelsea, it’s not his fault West Ham and other media have unrealistic expectations of him, he didn’t choose his price tag and am certainly happy to see how he develops, we should hold onto him or loan him to a European side to continue his development, lets not write him off just yet COYI !!!
Time to move on , from pedalling the official line. the supporters/ readers are making far better sense of the lad’s situation than you EVER did or do.
insulting to the intelligence, to be honest.
It was Sullivan who wasted the money on Fullkrug in not paying the extra for first choice Duran when he was making crossed hammers signs to us in in videos. Inspired tightwaddery given what Duran just sold for, we didn’t just miss out on Duran the player we missed out on probably £20m that he’s inflated by since then too.
That wasn’t even Sullivans worst decision, that was Lopetegui and that one cost us our season before Xmas and £3m per finishing position and paying him and his team off.
If you aren’t prepared to pay for the first choice striker then somebody who wasn’t first choice needs to be got instead, it was a case of go and get someone cheaper who would not have been bought otherwise, it’s as straightforward as that.
All while you’re needing to bring in nine, should really have been ten as we needed a centre back too, because of long term amateurish recruitment. It is not advisable in any way to be bringing in that number in one window, that’s plain how not to run a football club.
As for Guilherme he was bought as an eighteen year old who would train with the first team and make cameo appearances, that’s what we were told at the time, that’s what’s happened, he hasn’t even made a first start yet is normal for eighteen year olds. It took eighteen months for Irving to make his first start and he’s older than Guilherme.
It’s Sullivan who fouls up time and time and time again, how many strikers is it now in his time ? He’s quite capable of saying Lopetegui is just the man for the job, don’t spend the extra on Duran go and get Fullkrug instead. Mindbogglingly bad calls. We will never ever realise our potential while he calls such appalling shots, there’s tens of millions down the drain in appointing Lopetegui and not buying Duran alone, in just those two decisions.
Times have moved on from that antiquated way of running football clubs. Our competitors employ professionals and show us the ways that things should be done, it’s not some mystery it’s clear how they do it – That’s why intrinsically smaller by revenue clubs like Forest, Bournemouth, Fulham, Brighton and even Brentford are showing us a clean pair of heels. I can see it coming, the Steidtens will be snapped up by a Champions League club, their prospects are good.
This website is another outlet in Sullivan’s pocket spreading lies about Tim Steidten to protect the dwarf parasite.
IMHO the problem with buying Guillerme is not the player but that he was part of a crazy buying strategy – and the main criticism (which might be unfair) of Steidten is that he does not seem to be a team player
So we have 150 million and immediately spend 40 million on a centre half – definitely needed given that Zouma’s knee was gone – so that leaves 110 million for a major squad rebuild – the idea to spend 20 million on a forward for the future then doesn’t make sense
The first priority has to be to rebuild the squad to ensure that we stay in the Premier League – to ensure a future for players for the future
I believe that Potter will give us the required teamwork and holistic vision
COYI
For God’s sake get off the kids back he has had no chance to show himself in the team and don’t forget he was in a new country and needs time to settle in the Chelsea in which we were robbed again he showed he as some pace he was a pawn in a power struggle between the last two clowns putter and is staff will make this lad wait and see
Potter
Maybe you could re-write your post as it’s just not readable?
I could get the just of what they’re saying, punctuation would help but the just of it is “moan, moan moan”
Why are you so insistent he MUST be sold , You obviously no absolutely nothing about football, or you are just a clown who hates West Ham, Do us all a favour get a job somewhere else , preferably on the moon, so you stop wasting valuable oxygen.
It was a mistake not to at first focus on a quality striker like Duran for 45 million as opposed to buying a kid and an old , broken donkey . Westham might get lucky and Guilherme come good, however Fulkrug has always been injury prone and is almost worthless now.
Martin, What was by far and away the worst piece of recruitment in the Summer? Who recruited that person against the advice of our ” terrible and wasteful ” football director ? and the way, the jury is well and truly out on Guillherme.
WONDERKID
While Dan Ashworth undoubtedly had success at Brighton and Newcastle, what about his more recent record at Man Utd before he too was sacked after just 5 months. As Sporting Director he oversaw a significant Summer transfer spree with Man U spending £200 million on 5 signings. Here are the ratings which the Manchester Evening News gave them on 6th December:-
Noussair Mazraoui – Cost £17.9 million rating 8/10
Matthias De Ligt – £42.9 million rating 4/10
Leny Yoro – £58.9 million 5/10
Manuel Ugarte – £50 million 5/10
Joshua Zirkzee – £36.5 million 4/10
Total £206.2 million Average Rating 4.6
Guilherme only turned 19 yesterday and has been given 55 minutes first team action. How about comparing Sullivan’s spend on 54 forwards since 2010.
I’m not sure it’s fair to judge anyone’s performance at a club in as much disarray as United. Who there is excelling in their post?
There are two crucial elements that articles often ignore: “mitigating circumstances” and “context”. This means important details and considerations are left out, because acknowledging these aspects would lead to a far longer article that most wouldn’t read (because they just like the headline rubbish and need instant gratification).
If he was at West Ham, his performance would be entirely different, I’m sure.
Perfectly valid points Buddy. I do see parallels between the backgrounds to both appointments. Steidten joined as Technical Director in July 23 following success in a similar role with Leverkusen, using a data-led approach to scouting. Sullivan said “Tim’s appointment is key to our wider plans to drive our football strategy forward”. Moyes praised his “strong track record in.elite level football”. It seemed so positive after winning our first trophy in 43 years and 3 successive years in European competition. Ironically we finished in 14th position that year – 1 place higher than we sit today.
Ashworth had recruited 28 players including Antony Isak, Moses Caicedo, Bruno Guilmeres. The Magpies spent £200 million on players since the Saudi Arabia backed takeover, and Ashworth admitted the club must be open to selling players to comply with spending restrictions. He also warned spending £200 million a year on players was “unsustainable”. Whilst he enjoyed great success there, some questioned the signing of Sandro Tonali for £55 million who made just 12 appearances before a 10 month ban.
Man U paid £3 million to take Ashworth to Old Trafford. He then oversaw 5 transfers totalling over £200 million with mixed results. But results saw Utd slip and Eric Ten Hag dismissed after Jim Ratcliffe and the new owners took control. Ashworth then left after 5 months a couple of weeks after Amorim joined.
Matt’s article today also includes sources close to Ashworth as reported by Sky Sports
News claim “he was excluded from major decision making. and that his suggestions of collaboration, and improving United’s culture were disregarded”. I can certainly see similarities here as there were reports that Steidten was not involved in Graham’s appointment.
I agree that Graham has brought some welcome stability to our club and re-uniting the Potter, Macaulay. Ashworth group is the right move. Steidten will no doubt be successful at a Champions League club. West Ham fans will hope Sullivan and co will give us hope once more of European nights at the London Stadium, and dreams of another trophy.
Totally agree with the majority of these comments
Yes Steidten made a mistake with Fulkrug
Jury still out on Gillherme, and he didn’t cost what you quote, that’s only if all clauses are triggered I believe
AWB, Kudus and Alvarez all his
He wanted Duran but the board wouldn’t pay up
Kilman was a JLo signing
Todibo was much sought after, let’s wait and see when he’s fit
Rodriguez was a JLo signing too by all accounts
Yes he wasn’t great, but he isn’t the devil you make out
Totally agree Steve, finally some context
Nothing better than seeing a nice negative post…plenty of valid points but
A) Fullkrug can score on the big stage and will be useful last 6 games to put himself back in the shop window
B) in Potter I definitely trust long term…him and Macauley will find good budget signings as opposed to what we’re used to and I think more to the point players like Guillherme will get better training and backing from the new gaffer, who might just be the best January signing of the lot
Frustration feelings might be understandable. But sometimes a wider picture might help: Steidten was not fully backed by owner when in his choice of head coach and of several players. He convinced Mo Kudus to join- and right there there will be a net gain for the club- same with Todibo (who was looking at Juventus). Alvarez has also contributed (although the passion of his game is stopped by yellow cards at times). The minutes Fullkrug has been on the pitch have been promising, Steidten did not cause his injuries (although Fullkrug’s age might). Guilherme needs to get more minutes and find his self confidence, he might still be able to spring a surprise, and is likely to only get better (as he is a brazilian after all). So, Steidten made ok contributions, but probably also made mistakes. If he convinced WBK to join, that also would count in his favor.
Talking about Guilherme being jettisoned he’s just turned 19 and shown glimpses of what he can do. Feels like a long time since we’ve even had an 18 year old attacking player even get minutes. Let’s see what Potter thinks by the end of the season and not hastily panic and sell a player for a huge loss like we’ve been doing under SULLIVAN for so many years.
Also your figures are heavy inflated, Guilherme was around 19m,
And fullkrug around 22m although I remember ex saying at the time this figure was being inflated.
Stiedten didn’t pick the manager and he didn’t pick every player he’s been made the scapegoat for a situation sullivan created. Anyways he’s gone move on.
As for all the talk your pushing of we need to sell before we can buy and we are skint because of PSR, everyone knows its rubbish so stop peddling it and taking us for mugs, getting boring now.
Yeah man this is getting bad. Fulkrug a bad signing. Even Steidten admits that. The others? AWB? Kudus? Machin? Todibo? Was Kilman even expensive compared to £30m Zouma and Aguerd?
I love your articles Martin and your huge workrate… if only we had you in our midfield. But go easy on Steidten and especially give Guilherme a break. He’s literally a day past his 19th birthday.
I’m not blaming Guilherme at all, he didn’t choose his own sale price. I feel sorry for him tbh. Thank you for the kind words 😉
you continually bash the kid. you make up the numbers to suit your narrative, that Steiden screwed up the club when we all know it is sullivan and his ego that have fucked us. can’t you get a job working for the little dwarf directly at this point?
Dont agree with the guillerme comment and I’ll wait and see he would have been sold but potter pulled the plug, theres definitely a player there and potter is the coach to get him firing as I said the other day hes 18/19 if hed have come out of the a academy you would be singing his praises from the roof tops
“can we at least have the right person dealing with the acquisition of talent at West Ham”
You do it Martin. You’re the guy with all the answers. And 20/20 vision. In hindsight.
Ive followed some of his posts and its negative every time I wonder if its adrian Durham incognito
Dick. I’ve only ever posted on here twice. Who is Adrian Durham?
Totally agree with iron Eric, more crap for the sake of it.
agenda after agenda after agenda. have a day off mate. stop embarrassing yourself.