Hardly a man associated with fairy tale endings, Nicolas ‘Le
Sulk’ Anelka has managed to impress at a multitude of clubs during his career
by virtue of his goal scoring prowess rather than any outward show of
allegiance or commitment to the cause. The latest debacle at West Brom, where player
and club are engaged in a brow-beating sacking contest after his admonishment
for performing a quenelle gesture after scoring a brace against a hapless
Hammers defence in December’s 3-3 thriller at the Boleyn.
Just straightening my arm bands in an anti-establishment way, honestly
More 'dodgy' hand gestures
He might find a spell under the current Hammers regime an
opportunity to indulge such desires!
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| Stop scoring against us and we might! |
Although Anelka has pleaded ignorance in respect of the
potential for interpretation of ‘Le quenelle’ as an offensive gesture, it’s
difficult to see how someone from his background could be unaware of its
significance. Pleading cultural differences is a nonsense when those very
cultural differences bring a greater awareness of the various sensitivities of
the issue at hand. Moreover, footie fans are only to aware of the considerable
and careful planning that players make in respect of goal celebrations as they
are only too aware that such moments bring five seconds of intense scrutiny
with the attendant opportunity to ‘impress’.
So with Anelka on the loose again, and with a history of
working well under Allardyce in the past, he could well provide a useful
striking option for the Hammers (albeit not until next season). However, at 34
his trademark pace is slowing, and apart from the brace against a makeshift
Hammers defence (a third tier centre back and a left back), Anelka has hardly
troubled defences at any level (even Chinese soccer!) since leaving Chelsea 18
months ago. However, some critics have noted Anelka’s comments that he would
like to follow a career as an actor “because it’s different to football and
there’s no ball”.
Rubbish - at 50Kplus a week he can stay at home and make some gestures in the mirror. We should have snapped up Defoe as a partner for Carroll.
ReplyDeleteWhats the point in snapping up a 'partner' for Carroll when Allardyce only plays 1 upfront?
ReplyDelete