Sunday 5 February 2012

Have West Ham bought another Portugese pup?

To be fair, Vaz Te looked lively in his brief appearance as a substitute against Millwall, but it was worrying to hear the Barnsley manager say that "anybody could have had him in the summer and nobody wanted him". Nevertheless, on the basis of half a season, the Bolton, Hull, Panionios and Hibernian reject has been "snapped up" by West Ham and given a two and a half year contract. Is this wise?

This has the stamp of a typical David Sullivan deal. The guy is cheap and available, so let's sign him.  We've seen how well that works - Ilan, Mido, McCarthy, Piquionne, Carew...need we go on?

The guy has a record of failure and a track record of injuries - like so many that we sign. Will Vaz Te do a job this season? Maybe. Will he cut it in the Prem? Unlikely.

Let's hope the contract is modest so, if we need to offload him, we can. How many players exactly will be grazing in the West Ham pasture next season, with no chance of ever playing but picking up a very nice salary regardless?

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Bit harsh to called him a hibernian reject. He never signed for hibs as we could not afford his wages tbh. And I'm a hibernian fan. He'll be superb once he settles in to the team and will defo score goals.

Hammersfan said...

Goals plural? He only managed one for Hibs and scoring aint hard in Scotland if we are honest. But I hope you are right mate!

Basildon-iron said...

Or maybe it had nothing to do with Sullivan and all to do with the fact that allardyce brought him through at Bolton and rates him. I have to say when Barnsley came to upton park a few weeks back he was the best player on the pitch and I know who I'd rather have out of him and sears?

Anonymous said...

Hull City fan here, upset that our game at Pompey was frozen out. RvT was with us briefly thanks to the Allardyce/Brown link. All I can say is he looked lacking in heart, application and talent whilst a Tiger. However, we also had Jonathan Walters of Stoke who couldn't hit a barn door for us and a certain James Bullard who regularly turned it on for others, so who knows. Right place, right team and all that.

Anonymous said...

Anony-mouse said

No, we haven't bought a pup.. We've bought a goal scoring winger. I thought you wanted that. Cant you ever be happy?

Hammersfan said...

I hope to be! I do ask a question. His record is worrying as were the comments of the Barnsley boss.

spyinthesky said...

Not sure I am that concerned about a boss who clearly did NOT want to lose him despite apparently not rating him. Sour grapes anyone.

Hammersfan said...

I think he was boasting about how Barnsley had made a silk purse out of a sow's ear actually.

Anonymous said...

Anony-mouse says

The Barnsley boss was being bitter. And that's fair enough. They signed him when no-one else wanted to. But if they have turned him into a silk purse after year's of him being a bit part player and we benefit then that's fine by me.

If he can give us width, goals and pace this season and we go up then we will have got or money's worth out of him, regardless of what he'd be like in the top league.

WhiteyBFC said...

Keith Hill rated him. Im a Barnsley fan and believe me, Keith rated him highly.
What he means with his remarks since Rico left, is that he was a nobody, unwanted and on the scrapheap in June. Until Keith gave him a trial, and then a year contract. And for the first two month, he was absolute gash. The talent was there, but the application that Keith loves wasnt. And Keith made it clear to Vaz that he had to graft, to be a team player first and foremost. And come October, we saw a new Ricardo Vaz Te. He did the hard yards, and the simple stuff, and then when that clicked, his world-class ability shone through. And trust me, there is one helluva player in there. But he needs motivating, and constantly reminding of his duties. Because when he's not giving it his all, he's so frustrating, a liability even. But when he's on it, I am not going OTT by saying he's unplayable, international and I reckon a top prem standard player. There arent many lads at 6 ft 4 who are as quick, technically sound, and with a strong shot on them. He reminds me of his best mate - Nani, or Adam Johnson at City. He drifts or cuts in, beats a man with skill and unleashes scorchers into the top corner. Priceless for a team like West Ham, who are so dull to watch. No offence. Its not pretty, but as the table suggests, the money and ugly football talks/works.
I hope he fails, and you fail in the playoffs. Im not bitter, I just like clubs who play by the rules, and live within their means. And, I like football. And a team like West Ham, always noted for an attractive style, it pains a football purist to see the hoofball you are now serving up. Id rather Boro, Soton or Reading went up, proper teams playing good stuff. Just as Swansea and Norwich did last year. Again, no offence.
So yeah, not bitter, lol..
In all seriousness, good luck to you, and enjoy Vaz.
Viva Ricardo

USA Dave said...

He was on a one year deal and I believe Barnsley refused to commit until after the season. Can't blame him for saying in on his recent good form. Maybe this taste of success will push him forward under a manager that rates him? Seems just as reasonable a conclusion as yours, HF.

Anonymous said...

Vaz te was developing as a player at Barnsley that's that only reason Barnsley didn't want him to go. really needed to stay maybe another 18 months or so as he can be really inconsistent like vs Pompey earlier in the season or brilliant vs Leeds in which he got a hat trick. Barnsley have a record of fetching average players on especially since Keith hill took charge, Not sure big Sam will get the best out of him at west ham not that I dislike the guy, just has a reputation of being a hoof ball manager whether this is true or not I don't know haven't seen enough of west ham this season. Don't see vaz te getting a regular starting place at west ham, and can't see him being more than a bit part player for you. Unfortunately think vaz te will end up in the wilderness like the rest of barnsleys other big time Charlie's who left Barnsley for bigger and better wages( brian Howard, Daniel bogdanovic etc etc

TBI said...

I suppose we could say we got him and Maynard for a bargain. If we go up their price goes up as well regardless whether they score goals or not.

AJ said...

01:52 that's what I love about this blog a decent chap (WhiteyBFC) takes time and effort to eloquently explain the situation for as all and HF can't be even be arsed to recognise the guys contribution.

Whitey I appreciate your words and I apologise on behalf of all Hammers fans for the hoofball of this season, hopefully normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.

Anonymous said...

Yes Whitey, saw him on TV the other week for your lot and he was pretty good.
Thanks for the detialed write-up too - I agree with most of it, except for you 'picks to go up' Boro & Reading.....