Hung out to dry?

  • by Matthew O'Greel
  • Thursday, 5th July 2007

Nigel Reo-Coker has fired a parting shot at his former club by claiming he had been 'hung out to dry'.

Aston Villa's new £8.5m signing told SkySports tonight that he felt he had been made a scapegoat for United's dreadful form last season adding that 'whether people want to say I'm being obnoxious, arrogant or just bitter that's my own personal belief.'

"I'm the sort of person who looks forward rather than backwards," he said. "A lot of things went on at West Ham that I could spend hours talking about.

"It was an experience which has hardened me but I don't think it was an experience anyone should be forced to go through, like I was, at the age of 22. But it has made me a stronger character and I will now channel that in the right way."

Reo-Coker first fell foul of United supporters last Autumn after a dismal early season run of form which followed a frustrating pre-season in which he had barely trained due to injury.

His decision to answer the critics by cupping his ear - a brazen display of arrogance, some would argue - towards supporters in the Bobby Moore Stand after scoring the winning goal against Manchester United (his only goal last season) drew further disapproval.

But his position at the club only began to become untenable once his agent, Tony Finnigan, claimed that he had been receiving hate mail via the club's training ground at Chadwell Heath - an accusation, made without any evidence, that was swiftly followed by claims - again from Finnigan - that his client had been the victim of racist abuse from United fans - an allegation that once again proved to be unfounded.

By that stage it was quite clear that the odious Finnigan was attempting to engineer a move on behalf of Reo-Coker, and many supporters were outraged at his behaviour - even more so because he was, at the time, club captain.

But having failed to lure Reo-Coker's preferred choice, Arsenal, into making a solid bid during the January transfer window Reo-Coker announced - once again through Finnigan - that he would stay in East London until the end of the season. Which, given that at the time he was still contracted to the club for a further two years, brought further condemnation.

When Alan Curbishley decided to ring the changes following United's narrow escape from relegation Reo-Coker's days were firmly numbered; his considerable part in the problems of the previous season had been duly noted. Shortly after the Hammers' Premier League status was preserved he was told that he would not be considered for a new contract - and that he had no future at the club. A transfer request swiftly followed.

Once it was clear that none of the 'big four' were interested in signing him Finnigan took to the somewhat desperate act of pleading with clubs to come forward (notably the press release aimed at incoming Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce), but only one - Aston Villa - showed any real interest - and it was for them that Reo-Coker signed earlier today.

* Something to say about this story? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.



More News