Should they stay or should they go....?

With the news that Dean Ashton is set to enter into contract talks at the end of the week, it’s time to assess who should stay and who should from the class of 2008…

Stay at all costs:  Green, Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney, Noble, Parker, Ashton

These guys represent the nucleus of the team that we should build.  An all-English spine should be the basis for us to employ some flair and creativity in other areas.  Nolbe didn’t have the best of seasons but did spend a lot of it playing out of position or when he was clearly injured, but he is West Ham through and through.  I also think Anton Ferdinand will grow in maturity next season and could be key for us, especially in partnership with the excellent Upson.

Exit Upton Park:  Quashie, Mullins, Boa Morte, Spector, Pantsil, Neill, Bowyer

Guess the most controversial here is Mullins who is the marmite of West Ham United, splitting opinion between supporters.  I just find him too negative and although his short passing is accurate, there are better tacklers out there to play that holding role.  I don’t think Spector should be part of the team if we expect to be taken seriously, he is a decent Championship player at best.  And I don’t subscribe to the Pantsil fan club, he seems like a lovely fella but I just don’t see him commanding a regular spot.

Quite like you to hang around, but don’t expect me to beg: Solano, Faubert, Zamora, Cole, Dyer, Etherington, Ljungberg

The two lads up front have worked hard but not produced anywhere near enough goals between them.  With Bellamy back they will be bit-part players at best and I think that is all they should expect if they decide to hang around.

There are others who I just don’t know what to do with, Gabbidon and Collins have been injured for an eternity.  It will be interesting to see if they still have something to offer next season, it’s not as if they will command big fees having seen so little of them for so long.  And obviously the kids like Sears and Tomkins will still be around and we can look forward to watching them develop next season.

Comments

[jordan]

keep john pantsil

[john ws]

I think we need something more than McCartney(Irish) at left back and Noble has to improve if he is to make the grade- I hope he does! Agree about Spector but feel they will retain him as part of the American adventure.In your last group you have 3 of the oh so few class players in the squad- Faubert, Ljungberg, Dyer who we really have to keep. The rest can go.

[Hayden]

I agree with you somewhat... However - I'd like to see Johnny Pants stay. Not as a first team regular but someone who can come in and fill a gap should (ya know.. in the highly unlikely event that) we have an injury. Faubert should definately stay - he has not blown us away yet but I honestly believe he will do next season. I think all the others I agree on - Gabbidon and Collins should both go though.

[Simon]

Yeah, guess I have been a little harsh of Faubert, guess it is just disappointment at having seen so little of him, but I hope he pushes on for us next season. Likewise I like Ljungberg, but if someone was to offer a couple of million for him, he is someone we can live without.

[warhammer]

first and foremost curbishley should go

[AussiHammer]

Having moved to Aus in october my opinions are based on games i saw before i left and what i see on Foxtel, previously i had been to pretty much every home game for teh last 18 months.
Agree with players staying but we need some return from Bellamy, Dyer and Faubert and to be honest who could we buy to replace them. I also feel we need 5 centre halves if we only have 2 full backs so keeping all makes sense but get rid of Spector and Pantsil, if we want to improve these guys just don't fit. it has to be balanced between youth and experience so keeping Neil for another season makes sense. Definite go's for me are Solano, great player but passed his sale by date,Mullins ad Quasie both to ordinary, Bowyer to injury prone, Lundy too expensive on wages it upsets the rest, Cole, works hard but is just not a premier league striker. highest priority for me would be someone to sit behind the front two who can tackle but more importantly create something, younger Solano I suppose. have not seen enough of the new boys to understand whether they fit the bill but dont want too much pressure on thm at this early stage.