Monday 1 June 2009

Bochetti, Balotelli,Gudjohnsen, Bates and Ledley; any 3 from 5!


The rumour mills are currently linking us with the following:

Salvatore Bocchetti, Genoa

Now I have to admit that I don’t know much about this guy but I can’t see he is a likely target. To begin, he is left footed and the right back berth seems a greater priority at the moment, and secondly his preferred position is centre back where we already have Tomkins, Upson, Collins and Gabbidon; unless Upson is on his way of course. At 5’10, he is not really built to play in the centre of defence in the Premiership is he? He sounds like a tasty snack but I don’t believe he will be on the Upton Park menu for next season.

Mario Balotelli, Inter Milan

This one may have more legs because the deal would appear to suit all three parties: Balotelli wants first team football, Inter want him to gain more experience and we need a striker on the cheap. How good is he? Well Inter apparently rate him but regard him as very raw. I can see him be used more as an impact sub than a first choice striker; and the trouble is, we already have Savio and Stanislas for that role. How many kids can we carry? It does feel as if we are looking at the two extremes of the age spectrum. Talking of which…

Eider Gudjohnsen, Barcelona

The reaction of West Ham fans appears to be very positive in relation to the blonde bombshell. I am far from convinced but I can see a certain logic in signing him if Zola is going to pack the team with kids. A spine of experience is necessary in the circumstances and I suppose a spine of Green, Upson, Parker, Gudjohnsen and Cole (or Ashton) might be better than most. Fit Tomkins, Savio, Ilunga, Behrami and Collison around that lot and we might be quite tasty, even without the Italian pasta dishes mentioned above.

Matthew Bates, Middlesboro

Right footed and able to play at right back or right midfield, the need for Bates has increased with the likely defection of Neill and the possible sale of Spector to Burnley. He fits the bill in another respect too, a career already blighted by injuries. Including Spector, I have seen a few Merchant Bankers in Claret and Blue over the years so it would be no surprise to have a Master Bates in the squad for next season! Would he be any good? He might just pull it off!

Joe Ledley, Cardiff

The Cardiff fans seem to rate this guy but that’s no great endorsement is it? Ledley is young and versatile, able to play centre mid, wide on the left or left back. He would therefore appear an ideal player to have in the squad IF he is good enough; remember, we have no cover for Ilunga at the moment.

Any views on whether you think any of these are worth signing?

9 comments:

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

I see the slimeballs that frequent this site are up early in the morning Fanno. Your email is down BTW.

Well I know nothing of Bochetti but Balotelli is trouble with a capital 'T' even if he is a great player in the making. He's moaning to the Italian press about not getting 1st team games at Inter and has strops where he doesn't train properly. He won't come to sit on the bench for West Ham so needs a guarantee of 1st team football to come I suspect.

Gudjohnsen is an older head and could be a useful signing if his heart is in it. He's had an easy time in the Spanish sun for 4 or 5 years playing occasional games for Barca so may only be looking for a pension rather than a desire for the hurly burly of Prem football.

Ledley would be a step up from Championship football but from what I saw in a televised Cardiff cup game, I would say he's a Prem player alright but at £6m? Only if we've plenty of transfer dosh which seems unlikely.

Bates is a cheap transfer and likely to happen just because of that. He's had 3 cruciate ops and is hungry having missed so much football but don't we humans have 4 cruciates or is it 6?

Billbanksy

Anonymous said...

lol

Anonymous said...

ideally, i would West Ham to get Bates, Guddy, Balotelli and possibly Bates, getting rid of spector, Reid, Neill and the rest of the dead wood in the process. Light the fire!

Anonymous said...

yep bye bye your website is awful you spud fan. Cherio mug

Ironside said...

'Ad a squint at the "Lord of the Rings" Golf Course Bruv, couldn't find any mention of sausage side Irons. What does 'e do, collect the balls on the driving range? LOL

Stepney said...

Bet you wouldn't be brave enough to say that to his face Ironside? Another cyber bully hiding behind his computer.

Ironside said...

Do you want to arrange a little meet Stepney?

Hammersfan said...

Bill, email is working if you want to submit something.