I don't know, I think Bent has got a bad rap and I'm not a huge Carroll fan but even then I'd prefer to spend £15m and £80-100k a week on Carroll than £8m and probably about £60k a week on Bent (If I was a West Ham fan, that is). I think Bent still has something to offer, but the fact remains he hasn't started more than 21 games or got into double figures for goals since 2009, and he doesn't have much else to his game other than goals. Carroll is five years younger, is perfectly suited to West Ham and can still improve. I think West Ham payed about 50% more than they should have, and about double the wages he's worth at this point, but he's still a better signing than Bent would be.
I also think his wages are a reflection of the market inflation we'll see this summer. The new TV deal means everyone has a ton of cash, and all the clubs and agents know it too.
They might still be in for Bent, you never know. Marouane Chamakh's gone back to Arsenal after failing to make any impact, that with Cole's departure means they're short of strikers.
We played poorly trying to play well. You really think they play more entertaining than us? Did you go to the St Mary's game?
So, my point still stands. I don't want to watch what they served up at St Mary's. I didn't mention anything about how they play at home, just how dire it was watching them at our place.
Money has almost lost it's meaning in football. Is Carroll worth all that money? Definately not, but there's almost no way he would go any cheaper.
According to The Times, Liverpool asked WHU for more money which they then passed to Carroll as a golden goodbye. Said to be £1 million. They were desperate.
Not surprised can't see that he would ever have started under Brendan. Not his style at all. They are well rid!
Why should tradition dictate who or who can not play for a football club. Fat Sam and Carroll are not the be and end all of attractive football for West Ham..
The answer to the thread question is, we won't know until a few games in to the Season, anyone who slags him off now, are going to have to eat their words if he comes good, just hope he fails to turn up for our games, otherwise I am not too bothered to be honest.
If you had read my posts previous to my one you quoted you would have realised that you have taken me way out of context.
Have nothing personal against Carroll. He's a good striker, but he is not the dog's accoutrements that his price suggested. I personally like a big centre forward in the team as a target man, for defending corners, and for pure physical presence.
