Is Clarke showing willingness to stay, if the club offered him wages similar to Dan Neil would he stay or is he wanting more than that? Not saying you know the answers to any of that by the by, more thinking out loud of what the issue could be.
I totally agree mate but there has to be a point where we say we have enough. It’s detrimental to both the players development and our wage bill to have X amount of players sat on the bench or in the u21s who we’ve signed for a fee and have them on decent money. Those out on loan obviously won’t be at as much of a detriment but it’s not really productive signing an 18 year old to loan him then replace him with another who’s no better (Bennette/Mundle). The recruitment team have done a brilliant job and I expect we’ll see some big fees come in for our players so I’m not totally bashing them because for the most part it’s been good but just think it needs a tweak to get the most out of the lads we’ve got.
I'd be very happy with this signing but I'd still want an experienced striker through the door, loan hemir out, put mayenda in the u21s and rusyn might as well be a winger
I have watched him a few times, looked an unreal prospect a few yrs a go but been really disappointed when I've seen him for thr west ham 1st team. He has pace but needs to learn how to be more effective with his movement against seasoned pros We def need to sign a 1st choice striker and if this lad comes in hopefully he reaches his potential as he looked class a couple of seasons a go
I agree that the squad is bloated and players need to leave before we buy, but the key is not buying and people want their transfer announcement dopamine hits. Wonder if fans could agree to not sign players in order to keep squad balance?
Clarke does enjoy playing here and I’ve said before he loves living up north, closer to home for him. He’s said publicly he didn’t enjoy living in London etc. I think it’s similar to the Stewart situation where the club have a figure on what they should be paying them a week and I don’t see them budging. Hopefully Clarke isn’t painted in the same way as RS was by some of our fanbase
Strange one with West Ham as I can’t believe they didn’t keep hold off Alese. If they would have given him two seasons of premier league football slowly embedding him he’d be a starter for them now.
Might not be money though mate? Length of contract,release clause,.....could be something else sticking?
I know agents have a job to do but the way Harte has been putting Clarke out there and talking to the press about him couldn't have helped matters with the club
Feel like this will be an unpopular opinion, but I think Neil signing a new deal would be a bigger statement than Rigg signing one. Neil is proven high end Championship level, and is probably ready to be tested at Premier League level this season so for him to commit would be some work by the club. As much as there's huge optimism with Rigg, there's a hell of a lot things that can impact him even reaching a Neils level and its a much easier decision for him to stay at this point in his careers than Neil. Either way would just be incredible news that both have been tied down, let alone throwing Ballard in with that too. Could be a stunning start to the window.
I'm gonna go out on a limb here, and say the same thing that I've said the last three seasons. KLD is a football genieus when it comes to football knowledge, and contacts, throughout the World, and that is fact. We all learned this when he first bought the Club. He apparently was one of the top ranked players in the World on that FIFA football game.......this might sound pathetic, but his knowledge and contacts through his father and the managers/coaches he met as a kid, has proven why he has this massive drive to put his money where his mouth is, to actually buy his own Club. A real life reality dream. Think about this guys - what else would he do in life without this drive? KLD has researched and researched with proffesional guidance for years, and he chose us. He has his mother and brother also interested too. So where is the proof, and progress, so far? The young players he has brought to this Club form Europe has been really exiting, yeah? Some not so good, but we have seen some quality with potential. My guess is this - he will bring in at least three 'Under the radar' gems from more than one Continent. The future is possitive guys.... KTF !
Agreed. Neil could be as good as Henderson ended up being I think. Genuinely think Neil could be playing for a top half premier league club.
I'd be class on fifa if I was a young billionaire who could sit in my pants playing games all day! P.S I'd definitely do that KLD probably doesn't!
