Hammered

I was hoping the rumours about Konchesky's move to West Ham weren't true but alas it seems the gentle pull of his boyhood club aligned with a a series of shoves from Curbs were enough to send him back through the Blackwall Tunnel. It is slightly worrying that Konch would rather sign a long-term contract with a mismanaged club currently rated as a 4/7 shot for relegation than sign an extension with us, but interviews suggest his IQ is not in three figures and after his treatment over the past two seasons, I suppose you can't really blame him too much for moving on.

I'm racking my brains to recall when it all started to go wrong, but his career to date has never really taken off in the way that Bowyer or Parker's did, each of whom also made their league debuts as fresh-faced teenagers. The 'full-back or midfielder' argument never really did him any favours as it was fairly clear to fans (and Curbs) that he was not good enough in defence, and his key attributes (energy, pace, shooting, crossing) were not utilised there. Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the whole episode is that last season his performances and attitude suggested the problems were behind him, particularly when played in central midfield (by all accounts, he was masterful against Spurs, our final win of the season). However as pointed out by most fans, he did indeed always give 100% and has been a senior squad member throughout the most dlub's successful period for several decades.

In the absence of any new signings, the squad naturally looks very weak as they begin pre-season training, but one has to hope (surely) that new faces are just a few faxes away. Talking of Bowyer, he is strongly linked in The Sun at I suppose we are one of the few clubs that might welcome him onboard. It seems like ages ago that he was strutting his stuff for us, but my memories are of a superb engine and an eye for goal, rather than on-field punch-ups or racist 'incidents.' Everyone deserves the chance for redemption, but perhaps more than any other current player, he would be drinking at the last chance saloon (and not literally I hope).

Another player linked strongly is Anthony Gardner, although the prices quoted seem steep for a player for whom the jury is firmly still out on his Spurs performances. However, he ticks all the boxes for the types of players we should be signing (young, something to prove etc..) and who knows, perhaps Chris Perry had a quiet word with Curbs about his underappreciated former colleague?

As discussed in my last post, it is important to remember that our best signings this summer may not be those that fill fans with instant excitement. After all, it doesn't get much more exciting than Dennis 'fastest man in Europe' Rommedahl (although I remain bullish on his prospects and role in the side if he stays.)