When we brought in Jordan Spence on emergency loan I thought he looked a very confident defender I can only think of one bad game at that was the televised match against Norwich which gave the impression to some fans that are not season ticket holders or reg match attenders that he was a waste of money. But for me watching him at every home match he played plus 2 away matches i thought he looked very good he cleared balls out of danger rarely did i see strikers or wingers get the ball past him & he looked confident taking the ball forward and even seen him take a couple of strikes at goal with power & confidence. I think he would be a great season long loan signing if we could bring him back plus he is only 21 so plenty of years to improve & for me these are the type of accademy players that we should be bringing through the ranks to partner up with some of our veteran players to help bring on there best football. Your Thoughts on this player...
posted on 10/6/11
has he signed for west ham yet or is he still outta contract with them i'd get my mum to drive down to london and pick him up and drop him at millens door if he aint signed a new contract and go here u go keith sign him now
posted on 10/6/11
Would like to see him signed up for us but he is a Hammers lad through and through expect if he is offered a contract by them he will stay, rather depends on if Big Sam rates him.
posted on 10/6/11
I think a quality defender would love to pinch him from big Sam, just cant see it. West Ham no what a prospect spence is and as they rebuild their team quality that dosent cost will be vital to them.
posted on 10/6/11
This illustrates why bringing in loan players is such a frustrating business, and why GJ was hesitant to do it. The other side of course is that it is a convenient way to fill a temporary gap, and a striker loaned to us at the right time might have seen us in wonderland instead of getting beaten at Wembley. But hey ho...some things are meant to be.
Thing is, if we need a permenant solution we have to sign a player, which rules out the best young players (for the moment).
It also reminds us what an amazing days work Alan D put in to attract people like Whitehead and Ritchie to sign for a 2nd div club as schoolboys.
The way forwards at the moment appears to be snapping up youngish player from lower divisions. The future way though is to develop the academy as the club grows in size to attract better youngsters.
Evolution
posted on 10/6/11
SOME QUITE WORTHWHILE COMMENTSon this thread one in particular is
"It also reminds us what an amazing days work Alan D put in to attract people like Whitehead and Ritchie to sign for a 2nd div club as schoolboys."
Going back then a lot of teams had more "homegrown" talent than now. there was a distinct chain of ...trial ..schoolboy..offered your papers...played for reserves...got in first team...got transferred!!!
Nowadays its pay agents exhorbitant fee's so less cash for grass roots, so no grass roots and we need players so lets borrow one, sign on an OAP...( ex player from a better division or team )..or have to find the money to spend out...agents fee's plus agents fee's, transfer amount and wages/signing fee etc etc...not a lot left in the kitty then...
Example...ManCity paid out 107% of their income on just wages alone!
invariably almost half the players now are "foreign" so less need to have your own generating process! Thats why picking an English team is and will get harder....give it a few years and most England caps are likely championship players ! And most managers foriegn, spending their first year in the Express English learning college......
posted on 10/6/11
I think we'd all like to see Spence return Mikee, he offers a threat going forward links up well with Albert and a tidy defender to boot! I feel it was a shame West Ham went down as our chances of having him back must've shortened dramatically.
posted on 12/6/11
Interesting things going on at West Ham apparently they have signed or are signing two defenders on free transfers one from Stoke and another Premiership club. Wonder how this is going to impact on Jordan Spence? Also heard a rumour that Southend Utd have a good defender on their books Kane Ferdinand related in some way to Anton and Rio apparently Florist and West Ham are interested in him the bloke at the next table to me at a resteraunt was rather noisy telling all and sundry that he worked for WHU and was giving it large about all the transfers in and out. Ba going to Newcastle but Nolan is unlikely to be makkeing the opposite switch unless Sam coughs up more cash, but it was his comments that Spence will probably only be offered a 12 month deal at most which got me listening.
posted on 13/6/11
Cheers guys nice to see all positive coments for a great young talented player & who knows Millen might just be able to bring him bk to Ashton Gate...