While it might be true, theoretically at least, that replacements for Cresswell, Antonio etc. are out there, there's another important factor -- the issue of unsettling an established core. If we definitely want a new RB, striker, and possibly keeper for the starting 11, do we also want to be swapping out at least two other key members...so 5+ of the 11 potentially being new?
the celestial insect wrote:While it might be true, theoretically at least, that replacements for Cresswell, Antonio etc. are out there, there's another important factor -- the issue of unsettling an established core. If we definitely want a new RB, striker, and possibly keeper for the starting 11, do we also want to be swapping out at least two other key members...so 5+ of the 11 potentially being new?
That and what does it say to people in the club, we'll always flog our best players, or indeed what does it say to players who are looking to join?
I'm not sure it's a positive statement and I'm certainly not confident that the replacements will be as good as the ones we're flogging
I think Moses works well in Chelski's system so why the hell would they want Antonio who only betters Moses in the heading department as far as I can see? Just can't see it.
Crouchend_Hammer wrote:With Antonio his ability is less important to me. Most important is what he represents to our fanbase.
He is the sort of player as a club we have always held dear.
- A trier
- One who has worked his arse off to get where he is and makes maximum use of the tools he has, from non-league to england squad
- One who always puts in the effort, whatever he is asked to do, and does it with a great big smile on his face
- One who excites and frustrates in equal measure
- Someone who can lift the crowd with a moment of pure, raw ability
- Someone who turns up at his first England get together with a West Ham carrier bag
Couldn't give two shits if his pass completion rate is below average, or his crossing not 'as good as it should be' for a wide player, or he falls over his own feet now and again. The above stuff is much more important
^^^^^^^^
This
The fact that he scores / assists now and then is just a lucky bonus
any one of us would have given him the world for this
Why do I get the feeling that Snodgrass was made to look like Payet's replacement but is actually Antonio's? An attacking midfield 3 of Ayew, Snodgrass & Lanzini is still good and the funds could be used on a striker & right back. I would never want to see Antonio leave but if he wants to leave, then let him go while he is still worth money.
dvincent wrote:Why do I get the feeling that Snodgrass was made to look like Payet's replacement but is actually Antonio's? An attacking midfield 3 of Ayew, Snodgrass & Lanzini is still good and the funds could be used on a striker & right back. I would never want to see Antonio leave but if he wants to leave, then let him go while he is still worth money.
Sorry, mate, I am still just struggling to understand why we need to sell him to fund a Striker and Rightback.
Antonio is a proper West Ham player. A 100% every game, it doesn't always come off but his aptitude, attitude, work rate and heart cannot be faulted. Put simply, where would we have been without him.?
If he was unhappy, fair enough, but there is nobody I would rather sacrifice him for in realistic terms.
I keep thinking this lately....When did we get a bit above our station recently..?
If the profit for the owners on selling Antonio would be around the 20 Million quid mark - as Brooking 1980 suggests - they will sell him. I have not a single doubt about it - it's too much money fro them to turn down.
Stick your little skull in this for a bit and have a gander, only scratching the surface but sets things off nicely http://www.soccerbase.com/players/playe ... r_id=51133" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Can't beat a full back and get a cross in? 1.50 " onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
James Collins on the wing! Keep casting :lol:
What am I looking at here? The fact he scores goals? We'd score just as many (and more) if we replaced him with somebody capable of playing a 5-yard pass — giving us a far more harmonious, free-flowing attack.
As for your video, totally irrelevant. One example of a player doing something successfully is not evidence that they're capable of doing it regularly, there's 100 failed attempts for every successful one.
I'm sure even Matt Jarvis put in a couple decent crosses when he was here...
WestHamIFC wrote:At the end of the day who's judgement do you trust more? The guy who's sitting pretty at the top of the PL with a 10 point cushion, or a handful of buffoons masquerading as self-appointed football 'experts' on an internet forum?
Conte or 'Regista'? Tough call.
Not sure why it's being taken as gospel that Conte is after him considering as of now it's just paper talk...
If he really is interested, it will be to use him as a backup wing-back, because he recognises what he is — a workhorse, nothing more.
WestHamIFC wrote:Sometimes no words are needed, just a 45 second video clip set to some music from the Titanic Official Soundtrack..