Young signing could turn tide for Hammers
Alan Curbishley found a silver lining to another troubled weekend
last night when West Ham had a £10m bid for Watford's Ashley Young
accepted. Earlier bids, starting at £7m, had been rejected but now
the only bar to the England Under-21 forward going to Upton Park
lies in personal terms, which have yet to be agreed.
The West Ham manager had made it clear that he would not sanction
departures until satisfied he had shaped a squad capable of
Premiership survival. Young's arrival may see the end of an uneasy
relationship with Paul Konchesky after the left-back was dropped
entirely from West Ham's squad here. Mark Hughes, Blackburn's
manager, has identified the 25-year-old as the man to replace Lucas
Neill, who is thought to have played his last game for Rovers
before moving to Liverpool.
The Hammers' board is sure to make significant efforts to sign
either Matthew Upson from Birmingham City or Tottenham's Anthony
Gardner. It is felt that Tal Ben Haim will prove unobtainable when
Chelsea show their expected firm interest in the Bolton player.
Upson may be the surer bet since Gardner will be made available
only if Tottenham can sign Curtis Davies from West Bromwich Albion.
"There is a worry that clubs could hold us to ransom," said
Curbishley. "That's what always happens in the window."
Fulham's manager, Chris Coleman, believes the tide may not be
turned in time to rescue West Ham. They are three points short of
Wigan, who have a game in hand and a goal difference that is
superior by eight.
"It's not easy," said Coleman. "They've got good players but, when
you're down there, the least little thing that goes wrong and you
get nervous. I've been there as a player. In a relegation battle
you can't beat a bit of character, honestly. If you've got players
with a bit of character who want to play for you and the club,
that's the only way you're going to get out of it."
The worrying thing for West Ham is that Curbishley needs to make
more effort to make players want to play for him. Young in,
Konchesky out may be a start.
