Text  Larger | Smaller | Default
Search KUMB   

Bellamy injury leaves Curbishley with a distinct lack of fire-power


Filed: Sunday, 10th August 2008
By: Thomas Rooney

First of all, let me just say how disappointed I am for Craig Bellamy. The striker picked up a hamstring injury in a pre-season game against Ipswich Town and is set to miss the start of the Premier League season after being informed that he will be on the sidelines for at least a month.

Such an injury is the story of Bellamy’s career really. Just as he is looking good and feeling sharp – there’s the niggling injury that keeps him out of action for a few weeks. It’s always one step forward, two steps back and that’s why I feel sorry for him. He has said himself that he is ‘gutted’ to be missing the start of the season especially after what he describes as the ‘best pre-season ever’.

I guess that’s why it is all the more frustrating. Bellamy was looking sharp. He followed two goals at Peterborough with an early strike against Ipswich before limping off with this hamstring injury. Potentially, there is an argument that he should have been wrapped up in cotton wool during these warm-up games to avoid such an injury, but having said that he needs games under his belt to help with match fitness. Overall, it’s just disappointing that this injury has occurred, but there is nothing anyone can do about it.

The most hurtful factor for Bellamy and West Ham though, is that if Bellamy started the season looking as good as he did in pre-season, then I would have like to have seen the football odds on him being the Premier League’s leading scorer in the early weeks. Instead of scoring though he will be watching from the sidelines as West Ham take on Wigan, Manchester City and Blackburn. Hopefully he will be back to face West Brom on the 13th September. Although with hamstring injuries – you never know.

Pushing Bellamy’s personal anguish to one side, it is important to look at how West Ham will cope without him. Going into the new season, Alan Curbishley now only has two senior strikers at his disposal – Dean Ashton and Carlton Cole. The latter is hardly considered to be a consistent performer in the Premier League either. Then there are the potential injuries Ashton could obtain – he is, after all, rather injury prone himself. Should this happen, then youngsters Zavon Hines and Freddie Sears will have far more responsibility than they should do at this stage of their careers.

This could of course be a good thing – they could excel. However, in reality, West Ham go into the new campaign with a distinct lack of fire-power up front. To have Bellamy and Ashton as your first choice front two is certainly a risk. They have both had their injury problems in the past and you have to question how often they will actually play together. Hopefully Ashton can have a relatively injury fee season like he did last year and Bellamy will return stronger, but like I said, it is a risk having these two as first choice.

All of this highlights the sale of Bobby Zamora to Premier League rivals Fulham. Zamora was a player that would often deliver if called upon. He would be valuable in the current situation. I’m not saying there is no way he should have been sold, but the fact he hasn’t been replaced is rather irresponsible of Curbishley. Just take a look at Fulham’s choice of strikers – Zamora, Andy Johnson, Diomansy Kamara, Erik Nevland, David Healy and Collins John. Now, I’m not suggesting that these players are more talented than the likes of Bellamy and Ashton, but they certainly provide Roy Hodgson with more choice than Curbishley has right now. Especially after Bellamy’s injury.

After what has been a relatively positive pre-season, the injury to Bellamy and the departure of Freddie Ljungberg haven’t exactly done much for the optimism of the West Ham fans. One thing I would suggest in order for people not to get too down-hearted, is that Ljungberg’s departure could free up some wages for another striker to come into the club. I’m aware he was paid off, but his £85,000 a week was making a rather large indent into clubs finances and this can now be used to tempt a new player to the club. Hopefully it will be someone that is proven at this level, has no history of injury problems, can replace the gap left by Craig Bellamy in the opening few games and provide Curbishley with an extra option up front. Where can we find someone like this? In all honesty, your guess is as good as mine.


Your Comments


by Terry O'Donnell
07:41PM 12th Aug 2008
''All above comments have some weight, personally I think LBM works his socks off when he plays, and he does make the opposing defence work hard, bit like Zamora, but when the crowd keep abusing him it hardly gives him confidence. Cole was a wonder kid at Chelsea and I still think he has what it takes. It is glaringly obvious that we have no real goals in midfield, no real spontanious play from midfield, so we blame Cole and LBM instead of where the real blame lays, THE MIDFIELD.

We need some class in the middle to go with the hard work. I would be brave and try Fauburt in middle behind Ashton and Cole and give him a free role, worth a try, his speed would confuse and unlock defences giving Ashton and Cole space, then play Behnrami wide right, with Neil continuing at Right Back. Try this at home to get the home wins we are going to need.

Most important is stop slagging the players off. LBM, Carlton Cole, yes and even Thatcher if he plays get behind them they will all run their socks off for us ...''

by g portugal
08:39AM 12th Aug 2008
''Zamora's departure was a real loss, because of exactly the situation we find ourselves in now. Bellamy crocked before the first ball is kicked. And exactly who is going to replace Bellamy? One of two promising but inexperienced guys in Sears or Hines? No. I like Cole,but obviously he s not an adequate replacement for Bellamy. 4 million quid sounds like good business for Zamora, until you consider how short we are upfront now, with under 3 weeks til the window closes. And should Ashton get hurt then the sale of Zamora looks even more ill-advised.

4.3 million quid. We needed it that badly that we sold Zamora. If we need the funds so badly then why haven't we unloaded Anton, Boa Morte, Bowyer, Reid, Davenport, Walker, Quashie, Collins or Gabbidon? At least 5 of those players we could live comfortably without. ''

by AussiHammer
11:00PM 10th Aug 2008
''I just can't understand why everyone except Curbishley and the Board notices our distinct lack of firepower. Last season we were amongst the lowest goal scorers in the division. The problem goes beyond a fit Bellamy.

Players out, Ljungberg, Solano, Zamora and Paintsil. All I would say are capable of scoring and creating. Injured, Bellamy and Dyer again attackers.

We have realistically bought in Bahrami for his defensive abilities and are looking for some godforsaken reason at Thatcher, again defensive. Let's be unkind, Cole is not or will ever be a Premier League striker adding 15-20 goals a season, infact his total goals in pre-season where teams should be easier to score against is one - and that came before the defenders had a chance to warm up. So if we are honest Ashton is our only recognised striker, even last year Curbs was adamant that Cole and Ashton could not play together.

Yes we have a couple of young lads that may step up but surely this should be the icing on the cake rather than the base. I would say that we need at least two and possibly three new players. I can only presume that Sheffield Utd are likely to win a huge payout otherwise we would be spending some of the £30m Sky money. Having said that the rewards for European placement are huge and must be worth a gamble if we are to achieve the stated five-year objective.

For me the best two purchases around could be possible and suit all concerned, Kuyt and Alonso from Liverpool. These two will give so many options to Curbs, I believe they would be got at around £20m, have no record of injuries and can fund Liverpool's move for Barry. I can not believe there would be any fans not wanting Kuyt, he has pace and can play on the wing. Even when Bellamy is fit and partners Ashton we can still have him in a starting 11.

Please, please, please Curbs - do not continue with this idea of LBM alongside Ashton. As we approach the final week before deadline day my only hope is that LBM, Mullins, Quashie and Gabbidon are either released or sold on the cheap to balance the books for a couple of quality new players. If these guys and Cole were sold for circa £10m combined fees then we are only talking about £10m new money spent and wages if anything would be lower than last year taking Solano and Ljungberg into account. Another alternative for me would be Milito (bad spelling) as a proven goalscorer.''

by PJR
08:57PM 10th Aug 2008
''Great article (and I never say that).

I also think selling Zamora was good business. However, I'd also sell Cole and then get a third top quality striker in.''

by brooking is still the best
06:25PM 10th Aug 2008
''I agree, three top strikers is the least you can go into a new season with. We have two, then Cole and the youngsters. So buying another striker before the season starts is an absolute must!

I was hoping that Nani might be able unearth a very good South American for us but that's maybe to much to ask. Why do I get the feeling these new owners are not quite as ambitious as they claim?''

by Gregory Harris
05:46PM 10th Aug 2008
''Curbs, just splash the cash and go for Luca Toni. He is fast, strong and aggressive and has a very good eye for goal. Toni would be a great addition but we need that Nani to pull his finger out ...''

by Justin
04:08PM 10th Aug 2008
''Anelka, Kuyt, Santa Cruz, Pavluychenko, Arshavin, Podolski, Klose, Trezeguet, Di Natale, Iaquinta, Vagner Love, Gudjohnsen, Huntelaar, Aguero, Martins, Benzema, Toni ... there are plenty of strikers out there that would VASTLY improve our squad, and I'm sure there's one or two of the above mentioned that we could realisticly get hold of...''

by Graham
03:28PM 10th Aug 2008
''Nice article, highlights the striker issue honestly without agenda for or against Curbishley.

Cole has been a consistent performer, just not a prolific goal scorer. Zamora is no great loss and was good business, but only if the money goes towards a top striker, if we just get another Zamora'ish striker in then selling him was a waste of time and money.

Youngsters are all well and good but Sears and Hines are huge gambles and they may never step up to become top strikers.

I think Ashton will be fit this season, he done his ankle then picked up a few niggling injuries as he regained fitness, I don't think of Ashton as injury prone.

Really need three top quality strikers who can score goals.''



Comment on this Story

Please note that your IP address will be logged, and that any abuse of this facility (including obscene or offensive language) will be reported to your ISP.

Name:

Email*

Comments:

* your email address will not be published