Tuesday 4 May 2010

Tomkins, Noble & Parker to Arsenal


Really? I know Wenger has shown signs of losing it recently, but does anybody take seriously his supposed interest in our squad of underachievers? If so, the only explanation is that he doesn't rate Zola's ability to organise and motivate his team.

OK, he might be interested in signing Tomkins based on his potential, but if he has watched him at all this season, he won't be in any great hurry to get him into the side any time soon. If Arsenal want to compete at the top of the Prem and in the Champions League, then Tomkins is not the answer to their defensive frailties. And how can Sullivan and Gold value our future England captain? When Ferdinand was Tomkins' age, he was worth a cool £18m, and nobody was going to argue with that, unless it was to say that it wasn't enough! But £18m for Tomkins? You're 'avin' a Davenport! But if the guy is a future England player, as many believe, we couldn't let him go for less than the £8m we secured for Anton surely? £8m for Tomkins? That's a lot to invest in "potential" when Arsenal have an immediate problem to solve.

And so to Noble. Once again, there is a pricing problem. Based on his performances over the past 12 months, it would be hard to justify a fee in excess of £4m. But, again, if he is good enough to play for Arsenal, he must be worth £8m of anybody's money. There is the rub, however. Is he good enough to play for Arsenal? Noble isn't a kid anymore and the brutal truth is, he hasn't kicked on. If he was still 21, you would have high hopes but, by Noble's age, Lampard was pulling up every tree in the forest. Noble, couldn't even pull out a newly planted sapling from what I've seen. If I was Wenger, I'd be more interested in Nolan than Noble.

And so to Scott Parker. OK, the guy has looked far and away our best player this season, but Geoff Pike would have looked like a real gem amongst this lot of crummy paste. Comparisons with Brooking and Devonshire are absurd. Parker has had his shot at glory at Chelsea and was found wanting. Nor did he set the world alight at Newcastle and three England managers have all looked at him and thought, no thanks. I can see Tottenham being interested perhaps, or maybe Everton. Actually Man Utd might fancy him as a replacement for Scholes but he doesn't look the Wenger type to me.

If Wenger were to sign anybody from West Ham, my money would be on Upson or Green.

11 comments:

TBI said...

20million for all three and I'll drive'em there.

Anonymous said...

And you'd lose your money. Hang on! Ain't you the one who bet on England to win the World Cup? WTF do you know eh?

Anonymous said...

When was the last time Wenger put his money on an Old 'un? Eh? Eh? Yeah you put yer money on Upson or Green. My money says you dont put nuffink on it.

Hammersfan said...

I think you will find he bought Gallas, Lehmann and Silvestre when all "advanced in years". He also signed Campbell this year! Remember Wenger's best back 4? Bould, Keown, Adams, Dixon, Winterbourn - they were all old uns and Wenger stuck with them much longer than anybody expected. Seaman and Lehamnn were both retained until late into their thirties. I think Wenger has seen the problems in playing inexperienced keepers and centre backs personally.

My bet was on Newcastle to be relegated and England to win the World Cup. The price on England has nearly halved since I struck the bet and Newcastle were relegated (the bet was struck when Newcastle were out of the bottom 3 at Christams of the year when they dropped. They were fifth favourites to drop at the time.) I could sell that bet for ten times the stake at the moment. What do I know? Well the bet you quote suggests I know a fair amount! Thanks for reminding everybody so I can blow my own trumpet without being a contortionist!

Anonymous said...

You going tomorow nite HF to celebrate Tony Carr and the amazing job he has done???? He is a genuine Hammers Hero. Looking forward to chearing Lamps for once

Hammersfan said...

Wife's birthday tomorrow. I value my testicles!

Anonymous said...

hilarious, Arsenal are no longer a winning team or the only team to defend London from Northern monopoly. But sadly we have senile manager whose eyesight is not good. But mark my word he is not going to buy any player come transfer window except Chamakh geezer for freebie.

Arsenal now look like the court of French King before revolution, with so many busy bodies French up to no good. It simply a spineless team with no grit in it.

Hammersfan said...

No grit? Compare your lot to our lot mate!

Anonymous said...

Kevin in Manchester writes ...

up early HF? oh and look at your email... I don't think there's much evidence that the latest crop of youngsters ..in which for the purposes of this argument I'll inlcude Noble..match up to previous glories but we must take into account the environment in which they have played. We are all flumoxed by how listless our experienced international players have been, I think it is expecting too much to believe our youngsters should be immune from the 'clueless virus' raging through the club. I think Tomkins, Collinson and Noble are class acts that would improve massively under a management that's more conducive to the development and application of excellence

Anonymous said...

Kevin in manchester writes..
oh and PS like the rumour that we are after Burnley's Chris Eagles.. a solid winger than can cross a ball

TBI said...

Hang on! The world cup hasn't even begun and you've already written us off. Give it the large when it's over cock LOL!