Saturday 3 May 2014

West Ham and Tottenham swap stars in transfer merry-go-round

The atmosphere is already building ahead of today's lunchtime clash between the warring factions of West Ham and Spurs. With the Hammers looking for a third victory over their neighbours this season, Spurs hoping to claim a Europa league spot, and both managers feeling the pressure of the likely post-season performance review, this will not be a dead rubber by any means!

For many, this clash will provoke mixed feelings, including the many players who have represented both clubs. We have compiled a first XI of double agents and ask – at the end of the day will they consider themselves primarily Hammers or Hotspurs?

 
Tony Parks: Long spell at Spurs as reserve goalie followed by a variety of spells at various clubs fulfilling stop-gap roles, including 6 appearances for the Hammers during the 1991-2 season. Verdict: Hotspur
Chris Hughton: Longstanding loyal servant at Spurs – tenacious and determined left back. Hammers got a decent run from him towards the end of a proud career. Both clubs have watched his  managerial successes with interest and after hise rcent departure from Norwich will be bearing him in mind for the future. Verdict : Hotspur.
Neil Ruddock: Top geezer - cheeky and great fun to watch – always close to the edge of acceptability! Not lacking in skill either. Two spells at Spurs and a decent two year stint at the Boleyn in a career that involved appearances for eight different clubs and a single England cap. Verdict: Score Draw!
Mitchell Thomas: Luton lad who had a decent five year spell at Tottenham and almost made full England honours but form dipped and move to West ham never quite got into second gear. Returned to Luton and then on to Burnley. Verdict: Hotspur.
Steve Walford: Brief spell at Spurs before moving to Arsenal where he won a cup winners medal in 1979. Moved to hammers where he had a successful five  year spell. Presently enjoying life as first team coach in the O'Neill-Keane management team at the Republic of Ireland last November. Presently a coach / scout at Sunderland. Verdict: Hammer.
Scott Parker: Almost singlehandedly kept Hammers up two seasons ago but forced to leave soon after a relegation despite being footballer of the year! Honest and industrious, albeit injury-prone. He never quite found his role in a rotating Spurs midfield where he was not the main man, unlike when he was at the Hammers and his initial club, Charlton. Just about to suffer another relegation at Fulham. Verdict : Hammer.
Michael Carrick: Classy midfielder who came through the Hammers youth system with Joe Cole and Frank Lampard etc. Stayed for a season after 2003 relegation but found physicality of the Championship testing and moved to Spurs for a short spell before Man United where he remains. Seems now to be finally peaking after many years in second gear! Verdict: Hammer.
Martin Peters: Part of the 1966 World Cup Boleyn triplets. Known as "the complete midfielder" as he could pass the ball well with either foot, was good in the air and difficult to mark because of his movement. His versatility was such that while he was at West Ham he played in every position in the team, including goalkeeper in his third game. Moved to Tottenham Hotspur in 1970 in Britain's first £200,000 transfer. Verdict: Hammer.
Les Ferdinand: Powerful and athletic striker – best periods at QPR and then Newcastle before these two clubs got a turn out of him towards the end of a glittering career. Mostly Spurs who enjoyed a decent spell from ’97-2003. Verdict: Hotspur.
Jermain Defoe: 'Nicked' by West Ham from Charlton youths - a lively little striker with a good nose for goal but who has never quite realised the potential evident when he engineered his move away from the relegated Hammers of 2004. Still may creep into Hodgson's world cup squad despite moving tp Canada in a lucrative deal.  Verdict: Hotspur.
Jimmy Greaves: Absolute legend and a gentleman. Britain’s most prolific striker of all time. Greaves played at Spurs from 1961 to 1970, scoring a club record of 266 goals in 379 matches. Washed that down with a season at the Boleyn where he enjoyed close friendships with some Hammers legends, especially Bobby Moore. Verdict: Hotspur.
Final Score
Spurs 6.5 vs Hammers 4.5

It's unlikely that Spurs will have it so easy today!


Come on you Irons!!!

6 comments:

  1. http://www.super-streams.net/channel21.htm For West Ham v Spurs Live Stream

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  2. Defoe is neither - he plays for Defoe United

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  3. What about the geezer who got his legs cut off in a fight?

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  4. The real question is who will Spurs make a raid for next? Reid? Diame?

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  5. Jermain Defoe AKA Rat Boy because when the team he played for was in trouble he jumped ship.

    What about the geezer who got his legs cut off in a fight? Callum Davenport

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  6. Matty Etherington should be in there - stunning when in full flight.

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