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Hammers Back In For Holt

June 12, 2012 By Iron Bobby Leave a Comment

News coming out today from various papers is that West Ham are back in for Grant Holt of Norwich.

Having already seen an offer in the region of £3.5m  for the 31-year-old turned down, it appears West Ham are going back in with an improved offer.

Holt handed in a transfer request recently and seems determined to move on after scoring 17 goals for Norwich last season.

Not sure how much legs this one has got but I would prefer to see us chasing some younger and more mobile strikers. Why spend 4 Million on a 31-year-old Holt when maybe 6 Million could get you the scoring machine that is Jordan Rhodes?

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Green To QPR?

June 11, 2012 By Iron Bobby 2 Comments

So after a few weeks of speculation of where will Rob Green end up it looks like QPR have stolen a march on their rivals with the former Hammer set to sign for them on a reported 50k per week.

Personally I thought Green would only leave for a club competing in Europe who needed a keeper like Spurs, or go abroad for a big pay day and Champions League football with Malaga.

QPR’s current No 1 Paddy Kenny looks set to leave and join up with his best buddy manager Neil Warnock at Leeds United.

I was under the impression West Ham were offering 45k per week so not entirely sure if uprooting and moving to the other side of London is entirely worth it for Green, but he served us loyally and stayed with us when we were relegated so goes with my blessing, not that he needs it!

Anyway, good luck to Rob and lets hope we hear some news on Jussi soon!

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Hammers Bid £4 Million For Holt

June 3, 2012 By Iron Bobby Leave a Comment

News coming from SkySports today is that West Ham have bid £4 Million to take Grant Holt from Norwich City.

The 30-year-old had a transfer request rejected last month and appears keen to bring his time at Norwich to an end despite enjoying three very good years with the club.

He helped Norwich win back to back promotions and scored 15 goals in the league in his début season in The Premiership.

Sam Allardyce sees the big striker as the perfect man to spearhead the Hammers first campaign back in the big time.

However, Paul Lamberts departure to Aston Villa could see them make a move for the 30-year old hit man.

I like Holt and he reminds me of Dean Ashton but do we really need a striker of this age as our first signing?

 

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Rob Green Exit Confirmed

June 3, 2012 By Iron Bobby Leave a Comment

David Gold today confirmed Rob Green will not be signing a new contract and is set to leave on a free transfer.

Green is currently with the England squad as they prepare for Euro 2012 and looks to have rejected a new deal offered to him by West Ham.

Gold’s Twitter Account said:

“Robert Green is a free agent he has chosen to move on.

“Nobody wants Rob to leave but nothing is for ever, he must do what is best for him and we must do what is best for us.”

Green signed for us from Norwich in 2006 and has proved to have been an excellent servant for the club making some wonderful saves over the seasons.

Jussi Jaaskelainen looks set to be signed on a free transfer to replace Green, while there are still whispers the club are interested in David Stockdale. Other keepers available would be Paul Robinson and Craig Gordon who was released by Sunderland.

I have been a big fan of Green in a West Ham shirt but I do feel he lacked a few key attributes needed to be world class, these would be commanding his area and coming for crosses which I felt he was rooted to his line to often, and his kicking was awful, either he kicked it out or had to make a save as his kick went straight to an opposing forward.

Anyhow I wish Rob Green the best and hopefully he goes to a big club rather than a QPR as I feel there would be no point in a move like this and it would be motivated by money.

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The Goalkeeping Dilemma

May 30, 2012 By Iron Bobby Leave a Comment

So news coming out of the rags today is that Rob Green is not playing ball with a new contract and West Ham are looking to sign a new number 1 with Mr. Green’s imminent departure.

We all know what’s in the media isn’t exactly gospel, but if they are right and Greeny is on his way then what are our alternatives? Iron Bobby has two possible candidates who could fill the goalkeepers jersey quite nicely should we need it.

Jussi Jaaskelainen1. Jussi Jaaskelainen

The keeper is available on a free transfer after his club Boltons demise from The Premiership.

Not the youngest goalie on the list but he has a wealth of experience in the top flight and would be as steady as they come for a few seasons while we source a long term option.

There is a reason Jaaskelainen was courted by Manchester United on numerous occasions as well as a host of other top clubs, the guy is a great keeper and if Green went then I would not be upset with the prospect of having this guy between the sticks next season.

Paul-Robinson2. Paul Robinson

Robinson is another keeper who had the misfortune of being relegated to The Championship after Blackburn endured a torrid campaign under Steve Kean.

However this should not detract from that fact that Robinson is a top keeper and produced some wonderful saves last season. Like Jasskelainen he has a wealth of top level experience and has a lot of good years left in the tank.

The only downside is he played for Spurs 🙂

So there we have it, my two stand out candidates who will either be available on a free transfer or command a low fee, leaving vital funds for Sam to strengthen the rest of the squad. There are other keepers who I was thinking of, Wayne Hennessey of Wolves was one of them until I saw he is out for six months so wouldn’t be ideal!

How about your thoughts? Who would you bring in should Green seek pastures new?

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