Early this week, West Ham fans were split by the return of Carlton Cole, after he was drafted in to cover for the currently injury stricken Andy Carroll on a three-month deal.
The Hammers’ re-acquisition of Carlton has left many supporters curious about the whole scenario. Questions have been asked about the initial release of him, as well as questions about his eventual return to the club.
I, for one, didn’t understand the initial release of Cole, seeing as we had not yet managed to find a striker of the calibre we were after. Surely signing a striker should have been the two David’s main priority – as opposed to letting the ones we had go – during the summer transfer window. However, as a result we were left in the tricky situation of having to try and scrap last minute deals for other talented strikers to cover the massive whole left by Cole after his departure.
During our quest to find a top class striker in the dying seconds of transfer deadline day, we (reportedly) saw bids for Romelu Lukaku, Demba Ba both inevitably declined by their respective clubs. But, as West Ham fans, you seemingly become prone to the ‘occasional’ disappointment so, as the final seconds passed on transfer deadline day, we were left pondering where our goals were going to come from at the start of the campaign in light of Andy Carroll’s reoccurring foot injury.
However, after a wonderful season opening 2-0 victory over Cardiff City, all our worries seemed to be in vain. Little did we know that the following games would leave Hammers fans in turmoil, criticising Mali international Modibo Maiga, as well as easy target Sam Allardyce.
“This win proved to supporters and managers alike that you don’t need strikers to win games, you just need ‘team spirit’, and we showed that exquisitely.”
The continuous pressure from the irons faithful towards the owners to acquire a halfway decent forward from a restricted list of free agents led to the signing of Mladen Petrić. But Petrić had been out of work since the end of the previous season when he was released by Fulham, and so has had minimal game play and, as a result, was rendered as not being match fit.
So, we had one striker injured on a long term basis, another showing poor form on the pitch, another of whom was not being given the rub of the green in Ricardo Vaz Te, and to cover we had signed a striker who wasn’t fit enough to play first team football for a few weeks. Leaving West Ham back at square one, with no man capable of placing the ball into the back of the net.
Things were looking bleak, but in true West Han style we showed, with blitz spirit, why we are a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League. A shock change in tactics by Big Sam saw us recreate a winning formula at the hands of bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur. This win proved to supporters and manager alike that you don’t need strikers to win games, you just need ‘team spirit’ and we showed that exquisitely.
On the other hand, though, Carlton Cole remained unemployed (despite being teased with a Hammers return as he continued to train with the boys in Claret in Blue) and we did still required a striker, despite our performance against Tottenham. With an International break following the Tottenham game it was ideally the perfect time to bring Carlton back to the club, if he was still wanted.
“His time away from the club will have done him good and will have given him a new desire to prove his worth for the Hammers”
After many weeks of speculation and pressure, the deal was completed and Carlton Cole was signed on a three month deal, making his return to the Boleyn complete.
And so to those criticising the big mans return, think of what he has done for the club before making rash statements about his ability as a main striker, including a play-off final goal that without could have seen us remain in the Championship, but instead saw us rise back up to where we belong.
In my opinion, Carlton Cole still has a lot to show as a striker, and a lot of sceptics to prove wrong. His time away from the club will have done him good and will have given him a new desire to prove his worth for the Hammers, potentially starting against big spenders Manchester City on Saturday evening in front of the West Ham faithful under the lights at the Boleyn.
Go get em’, Coley!
