Jenkinson Move Paves Way for Tomkins Return

The latest transfer gossip is that Carl Jenkinson is on his way from Arsenal to Crystal Palace today. Big Sam needs to shore up a defence that is rapidly sinking the Eagles into a relegation scrap. On Saturday, the Hammers ripped Palace apart in the second half as their unbalanced back four were stretched by a carefree Hammers attack.

But how it could have been so different if ex-Hammer James Tomkins had netted his excellent first half opportunity which he scuffed just wide! Tomkins made a shock move to Palace in the Summer in search of first team football and although this has been delivered, his opportunities have been principally at right back.

In the interim, it has become more than apparent that West Ham are regretting the short sightedness of letting Tonks depart as they have struggled for leaders as they try to maintain their sense of tradition and identity. Many fans have called for a return of the lad who graduated through ouyr academy and is Claret and Blue through and through.

With the likely arrival of Jenkinson at Palace to take up the right back position, Tomkins may find himself looking for a starting berth again. From West Ham's perspective, recapturing Tomkins would be a real coup right now to lesson the disappointment of the whole Dimitri Payet debacle. Palace need cash to strengthen their side and have lots of options at centre back.

Is this a no-brainer for all concerned? Come on Sully & Co. - give us a lift why don't you?

Hammers Want Jenkinson Back

The victory over Crystal Palace was an important moment in West Ham's season as they demonstrated that there is much more to our current team that just a certain want-away Frenchman. Importantly, the introduction of Sam Byram as a specialist right back made a massive difference to our set up, allowing Michail Antonio to play up top alongside Andy Carroll - to devastating effect!

However, despite Byram's return, we are still light on right back cover as Superslav has clearly decided that Alvaro Arbeloa is not to his liking. Former Hammer Carl Jenkinson has been mooted as a possible signing and our recent fans' poll indicates that the majority (70%) want him back at the club.

With Jenks given the freedom of the city by Arsene Wenger, there are a host of interested clubs. The current favourites are Crystal Palace where he could link in again with Sam Allardyce and allow James Tomkins to shift to centre back. Rumours have it that Palace hope to seal this deal today but there is still time for a late Hammers swoop!

Jenks on his way back...

Carl Jenkinson is on his way back to Fortress West Ham - Certainly that's the case if Hammers' fans have their say - with more than three quarters in favour of a return to West Ham for the talented right back in our readers' poll!

However, will SuperSlav and his recruitment team see it that way is the real question? With the Right Back position such a recurring thorn in the side of our efforts this season surely a quality specialist right full back with proven Premiership ability is a big 'must-have' in this crucial transfer window???

Even better, he'll be going at a snip of the price having been deemed surplus to requirements at the Gooners of Middle Arse by Arsene Wenger!

 

Arsenal Ready To Provide Solution to Hammers Problem

While all the attention is currently focussed upon the potential signing of a striker, many astute Hammers fans are even more concerned that Mr Bilic FINALLY sorts out the open door at right back that has bedevilled West Ham's season.

Time and again, a decent start in a game has been undone by our frailties at right back where, despite their best efforts, neither Michail Antonio nor Havard Nordtveit are natural defenders and in a league as competitive as the Premiership get caught for that crucial yard that opens up real space and opportunity. 

As a typical example, against Manchester United on Monday the Hammers battled bravely with ten men but one sensed that the introduction of the pacey Marcus Rashford would create space - and he was only on the pitch a matter of minutes before he carved up space past the hapless Nordtveit that allowed Juan Mata a relatively simple opener.

For whatever reason, Alvaro Arbeloa has not been deemed suitable - something that has bemused many fans - whilst young Sam Byram had yet to find his feet before going down to a prolonged injury.

Just across town lies an ideal solution at the Gooners with Arsene Wenger announcing earlier this week that he is happy for both Carl Jenkinson and Mathieu Debuchy to leave Arsenal this month. The two right-backs have each managed just one Premier League appearance so far this season.  

Jenkinson, in particular, looks an attractive option as he enjoyed an excellent start to his time at West Ham before a combination of a dip in form, bad luck and injuries took him back to the Emirates. west Ham tried to capture the on-loan Jenkinson on a permanent deal at the end of his first season but were put off by the hefty £10 million fee Arsenal were seeking.

Undoubtedly that fee would be vastly reduced by now but Jenkinson has recovered well from his injury and at 24 still has the best part of his career ahead of him. As a proper specialist right back he would help to bolster our flogged confidence in defence as (unlike Antonio) he is much less likely to get caught wrong-side of his opponent, and (unlike Nordtveit) would not be so readily caught for pace and knows what to do going forward.

Are you in favour of a return to West Ham for Jenkinson? Why not vote in our fans poll?

Could Jenkinson Return to West Ham?

This time last year they were touted as England's future at full back

What a difference a year makes! This time last Summer West Ham were trying to tie down the impressive Carl Jenkinson to either a full transfer or further loan period. Fees as high as £12 were quoted for the right back's permanent services and the Hammers finally opted for a season long extension of his loan.

Then it went wrong, horribly wrong. Jenks suffered a drop in form and a series of blunders led to James Tomkins being pushed to right back to shore up a misfiring defence. Jenkinson's confidence was visibly effected and just as Superslav was gently re-introducing him to the action disaster struck.

The unfortunate Jenkinson tore his cruciate ligament against Man City in January and was shipped back to Arsenal for treatment. After a six month lay off he is scheduled to return in the coming weeks, but what next for the 24 year old?

Arsenal's resources at right back contrast sharply with West Ham as they have the impressive Hector Bellerin and a host of understudies including Matthieu Debuchy and Callum Chambers. Is there really room at the Emirates for Jenkinson?

Meanwhile, West Ham need a right back (or two!). There seems to be a possible meeting of needs. Jenkinson certainly wouldn't command the crazy transfer fees being suggested this time last year. It's also worth remembering how impressive Jenks was in his first season at West Ham - so much so that he was on the verge of an England call up. Pacey, solid and disciplined in defence, he was a real threat going forward.  

It's also worth noting that West Ham sent him a very public best wishes for the coming season greeting just a few weeks ago. Sam Byram looks ready to step up but, as last night's action demonstrated, may find himself shifted to left back to fill in for the injured Aaron Cresswell. Could Jenkinson provide a solution to West Ham's full back problem?

 

Oi....Where's Our Right Back?

As the Summer transfer rumour mill turns over it's apparent that the newest entrant to the privileged clubs gang is being linked with exorbitant bids for just about every potentially available striker on the planet! Lacazette, Bacca, Van Persie, Carlton Cole....the list is endless! However, one thing which seems lost in all of this is that the Hammers are light at right back.

Last season saw the departure of Carl Jenkinson through injury (and poor form) and the arrival of young Sam Byram was viewed as an ideal longer term solution. Byram out in a series of solid performances after his arrival but clearly has quite a bit to learn yet before he can secure a starting place in the defence of a side that has series Premiership and European aspirations.

James Tomkins loyally provided tremendous cover at right back but has now (astonishingly?) departed much to the chagrin of many diehard hard fans. Michail Antonio also put in some decent shifts but quite frankly, he is a super attacking threat and is wasted at right back where he also lacks the positional sense to be relied upon in big matches.

So far there hasn't been a peep about the right back berth apart from some silly rumours that Byram might switch to join the other dozen or so right backs currently on the books at Arsenal?.......hmmmm.

 

High Jinks Jenks to Silence the Comedy

Its been a truly exciting season so far at West ham with a series of contrarian results, where the Hammers have beaten the big boys while often stuttering against the lower clubs.

Perhaps no single player has captured this inconsistency as much as Carl Jenkinson. Having returned from parent club Arsenal for a second on-loan season, Jenks has produced some stunningly good (e.g. Crystal Palace) alongside some astoundingly dreadful (err Bournemouth) performances.

The Jekyll and Hyde nature of his season was well in evidence against Palace where he scored a super goal marauding from right back and then gave away a foolish penalty only 90 seconds later!

Moreover, Jenks had a veritable nightmare against Bournemouth that ended in a red card but in most matches has been solid at the back while offering plenty pushing forward.

And against Leicester he demonstrated his versatility by even  doing a stint in goals after Adrian was dismissed.

All of this makes for fun and games for Hammers fans, but Jenks will be hoping to iron out the craziness if he is to realise his international aspirations.

Today's clash with Chelsea can provide an excellent opportunity to show his ability to manage top class opposition, especially if the Special One opts to use the offensive talent of Eddie Izzard. Jenks will look to stifle any fun and games from the back in form winger while creating a few problems for Chelsea down their left flank.

Either way, Jenks has become a fans favourite and with all the high jinks he has truly embraced the true West Ham way!

Jenkinson Dreaming of European Nights at Upton Park?

...It's Jenkinson, he's still going, he's through on goal...yesssssss!

At least one player isn't losing any sleep over the management issue at West Ham! Pictured here heading off on his holidays to Greece, Carl Jenkinson has had a terrific season at right back but now his future is unclear as his loan period has ended and he may be returning to Arsenal. However, with opportunities still likely to be limited at the Emirates, West ham fans will be hoping that we can capture him for at least another season on loan and maybe a permanent move can be arranged.

Although West ham's season ended poorly, it is worth noting that with the emergence of Aaron Cresswell, Diafra Sakho, Cheik Kouyate and young Reece Burke, the team have grown in stature with much to look forward to for the incoming manager.

Capturing Jenks would be a perfect start to the next campaign but Arsenal are hanging tough for any transfer deal with a transfer fee of around £10 million being cited for the sleepy one.

Is Jenkinson worth that much? What do you think? 

Reid for Jenkinson? its now or never for Arsenal and West ham to talk

As West ham's grip on star defender Winston Reid increasingly loosens, many Hammers have started to accept that the Kiwi seems Arsenal-bound. For his part, Big Sam has done his best to muddy the water by alleging untoward familiarity between would be wooers and his current star, but even this seems desperate. A different perspective is that this may be a crafty attempt to soften our North London neighbours attitudes ahead of the inevitable negotiations to part with their right back star when his season-long loan comes to an end.

Jenkinson has warmed to life in the East end with a series of stunning performances this season, with today's efforts against Swansea amongst the very best. In simple terms, Jenkinson has been a quiet sensation- solid defensively (what about that tackle in the first half when a goal seemed certain? ), while offering a whole added dimension to our offensive efforts.

It is no coincidence that this season we are the highest ranking team in the Premiership for crosses into the box with Aaron Cresswell and Jenkinson a constant source of intelligent supply.

So as the January window continues, this may indeed be the time to do some business in respect of Reid while we still have some say on what happens next?

Losing Reid would be tough - but capturing Jenks on a long term contract would certainly soften the disappointment, which seems almost inevitable at this stage. For Arsenal, if they let matters run until Reid is out of contract then there will likely be a stampede to sign a proven and high performing Premiership centre back.

For both club it seems that now is the moment to do business.