[Matt the Thrasher]

So do you think he will do us anygood or is he just another overpaid journeyman ,apparently West Ham are paying him double what Liverpool offered but he says that has nothing to do with him chosing us, but surely a professional footballer should take the chance to play in the CL when it's offered so I can't help thinking he's only in it for the dosh.

[Maf]

Was'nt he linked with Barcelona a few months ago as well? Are people watching the same player as me? He seems extremely clumsy and vastly over-rated in my eyes to be linked with and joining such clubs

[Professor Ludwig Mawson]

Lucas Neill is a good player. One of Australias best at the world cup but I agree, he isnt playing that well at the moment.

[Paulb]

Originally Posted by Matt the Thrasher

So do you think he will do us anygood or is he just another overpaid journeyman ,apparently West Ham are paying him double what Liverpool offered but he says that has nothing to do with him chosing us, but surely a professional footballer should take the chance to play in the CL when it's offered so I can't help thinking he's only in it for the dosh.

Think you're wrong. He could go to Liverpool and play 1 in 3 games or go to West Ham and play every game. Doesn't he need to play a certain number of games in order to meet his work permit obligations? The money was certainly a factor, but he'd been linked with other clubs last season too and was still at Blackburn this season so maybe he's not all about the money. If he helps keep you up does it matter how much he's paid?

[Matt the Thrasher]

Originally Posted by Paulb

Think you're wrong. He could go to Liverpool and play 1 in 3 games or go to West Ham and play every game. Doesn't he need to play a certain number of games in order to meet his work permit obligations? The money was certainly a factor, but he'd been linked with other clubs last season too and was still at Blackburn this season so maybe he's not all about the money. If he helps keep you up does it matter how much he's paid?

I suppose it depends how much he is earning in relation to the other players if it is much more then maybe that could lead to unrest in the dressing room.

[Paulb]

Originally Posted by Matt the Thrasher

I suppose it depends how much he is earning in relation to the other players if it is much more then maybe that could lead to unrest in the dressing room.

60k was the figure banded about. Any ideas how that relates to the wage structure at West Ham? Good point about the unrest potential but the other factor could be affordability if they do get relegated? Given that they are strengthing their defensive options and beginning to score goals that affordability may not be a major issue.

[Matt the Thrasher]

Originally Posted by Paulb

60k was the figure banded about. Any ideas how that relates to the wage structure at West Ham? Good point about the unrest potential but the other factor could be affordability if they do get relegated? Given that they are strengthing their defensive options and beginning to score goals that affordability may not be a major issue.

That's what is worrying me it seems West Ham are repeating the same mistakes they made 3 years ago ,the season they were relegated they had the 7th highest wage bill in the EPL last year they had one of the lowest after 1 decent season lots of the players renegociated contracts and are now earning much more and this season they are just not performing.

[Paulb]

Originally Posted by Matt the Thrasher

That's what is worrying me it seems West Ham are repeating the same mistakes they made 3 years ago ,the season they were relegated they had the 7th highest wage bill in the EPL last year they had one of the lowest after 1 decent season lots of the players renegociated contracts and are now earning much more and this season they are just not performing.

Maybe the higher wages are why they're not performing. Maybe they think they're Premiership players now so don't have to work as hard? I heard a report last week, i think it was on soccer saturday, and the report stated that a bit of a clique had formed at the club. Alan Pardew had his favorite players but with Curbs coming in he'll put in whoever plays the best so maybe thats one of the reasons the players have started performing. I didn't see much of Zamora this season but remember he was one of the best strikers in the Championship and it appears he's getting that form back in the Prem this season. Ashton looks to be on his way back too. Just seen the report on the Blanco signing. Know anything about him?I think Curbs will already know which players he wants to keep and i wouldn't be surprised to see half a dozen players leave in the summer which should help with the wages. Curbs can manage really effectively with little or no transfer budget and when Charlton were promoted the last time i don't remember them having a massive wage bill so i think all in all you've got a greatchance of staying up.

[squid]

Not too sure about what the effect the higher wages of some players will have onthe other players. Thier must be some just thinking that thier days at Upton park are numberered.

The thing i didnt like about this guy Neill was that he had the gal to say in front of the press that it was a football descision, nothing to do with money. Never mind the fact that he could have went to Liverpool. Why not stay at Blackburn? thier still in Europe, doing better in the league, he was thier captain wasnt he?

I understand that most desicions are made with money in mind now days but dont insult us by telling us its a football desicion.

[ClaretAVFCBlue]

I think the lure of a 60k wage packet done the trick - just greed IMO

[gmanr26]

waste of a signing if you ask me....

[Paulb]

How long is Neill out for anyway? Was the injury the result of Karma perhaps?

[Matt the Thrasher]

I think he is out for a month and Upson was injured in his first match as well , when your lucks out your lucks out, still shows the folly of trying to buy your way out of trouble.

[goldenHuddlestone]

Now all they need is Boa Morte out and Carroll and Green and my wish came true

[Matt the Thrasher]

The way Boa Morte has been playing I wish he was injured , Curbishley has made some very strange decisions , droping Etherington for Boa Morte & Mullins for Quashie makes no sense to me.

[squid]

whats happening with Teves at West Ham? Is he going to go the same way as Mascerano?

[Paulb]

Originally Posted by Matt the Thrasher

The way Boa Morte has been playing I wish he was injured , Curbishley has made some very strange decisions , droping Etherington for Boa Morte & Mullins for Quashie makes no sense to me.

Quashie was a really bad buy. He's been relegated with the last 4 clubs he's joined. Including us. Watched him do an interview just after he'd been signed and was going on about him bringing experience to the club. One of the pundits pointed out he only really has experience ofbeing relegated. Upson out injured as well won't help.

[Matt the Thrasher]

Originally Posted by squid

whats happening with Teves at West Ham? Is he going to go the same way as Mascerano?

Tevez is injured at the moment as well ,he was playing very well before the injury , he says he wants to stay at West Ham and isn't bothered by Mascherano leaving, amazingly he has become quite a cult hero amonst Hammers fans despite not scoring a single goal but I supose he will leave in the summer whatever happens.

[Paulb]

There have been rumors that some of the new signings have clauses in their contract that'll allow them to speak to other clubs or leave West Ham if they are relegated. That ain't good.

[goldenHuddlestone]

Looks like he might be out for longer than they first thought too.

[dutch]

Neill is a regular card getter

[Matt the Thrasher]

Originally Posted by dutch

Neill is a regular card getter

Yeah, I read the other day that Blackburn have the worst disciplinary record in the EPL but most of that was down to Lucas Neill

[goldenHuddlestone]

and Savage and Todd et al