Couple of references to him in the papers this morning, linking him with us. Harry even quoted as saying something like "I have to show respect because he is still a West Ham player." In Harry language that means "we have tapped him up, we have arranged for the money to be paid via a springer spaniel in Monaco and he should be free to start against Everton."
What do fans think? I know no one will be doing cartwheels of excitement but my take is that this is a realistic signing to help get us promoted and no more. From memory he has a decent strike rate in this division and has now more or less proved his fitness. Yes I too would much prefer Long, Defoe or Jelavic but lets be realistic - we are in the Championship. When we were in the Prem we would occasionally see Championship fans getting over-excited about the prospect of them signing some major star, and we just laughed - because we realised it was a pipe dream. When its our own club we forget that and think everyone is desperate to play for the Hoops. They just aren't. Even Hull is a better prospect for Long because its six more months in the Prem, and he knows that if Hull go down some other low-ranking Prem club will come in for him.
As for Rhodes, just can't see Tony splashing ten million quid - he has had his fingers burned already and isn't going to spend that (imo of course) on a player who has never proved himself in the Prem.
Not saying any of this to be negative. I just fear there are going to be a lot of unhappy bunnies on here come the end of Jan. For some fans no one is ever good enough - loads were even turning their noses up at Adeybyour when he was linked - now he he has scored something like four in five games, two against Man U, and is first choice for Spurs! Realism needed folks.
What do fans think? I know no one will be doing cartwheels of excitement but my take is that this is a realistic signing to help get us promoted and no more. From memory he has a decent strike rate in this division and has now more or less proved his fitness. Yes I too would much prefer Long, Defoe or Jelavic but lets be realistic - we are in the Championship. When we were in the Prem we would occasionally see Championship fans getting over-excited about the prospect of them signing some major star, and we just laughed - because we realised it was a pipe dream. When its our own club we forget that and think everyone is desperate to play for the Hoops. They just aren't. Even Hull is a better prospect for Long because its six more months in the Prem, and he knows that if Hull go down some other low-ranking Prem club will come in for him.
As for Rhodes, just can't see Tony splashing ten million quid - he has had his fingers burned already and isn't going to spend that (imo of course) on a player who has never proved himself in the Prem.
Not saying any of this to be negative. I just fear there are going to be a lot of unhappy bunnies on here come the end of Jan. For some fans no one is ever good enough - loads were even turning their noses up at Adeybyour when he was linked - now he he has scored something like four in five games, two against Man U, and is first choice for Spurs! Realism needed folks.
SIR LESLIE FERDINAND!!
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