First Team Squad
Player profile and performance records.
Jonathan Spector (Defender)
Jonathan Spector
Arlington HeightsPosition: Defender
Born: 3rd Jan 1986 (Arlington Heights)
Signed: 15th Jun 2006 (£500,000)
Contract: 3 years (signed November 2008)
Previous Club: Manchester United
KUMB Awards: Young Player of the Year (runner up) 2006/07; Worst Player 2009/10; Most Improved Player 2010/11.
Alan Pardew's second signing of the 06/07 pre-season was youngster Jonathan Spector, a versatile defender who can play anywhere across the back line.
Spector - who signed pro terms with Manchester United in 2004 - made just two league starts for the Reds before joining Charlton on loan for the 05/06 season, for whom he made 24 appearances.
Prior to his arrival in East London the American made two international appearances, his last being in the 1-1 draw with Scotland in November 2005.
Jonathan Spector is yet play any matches this season.
Jonathan Spector did not play for West Ham during this season.
Jonathan Spector did not play for West Ham during this season.
Jonathan Spector did not play for West Ham during this season.
Jonathan Spector did not play for West Ham during this season.
Jonathan Spector did not play for West Ham during this season.
Jonathan Spector did not play for West Ham during this season.
Jonathan Spector did not play for West Ham during this season.
Jonathan Spector did not play for West Ham during this season.
Jonathan Spector did not play for West Ham during this season.
Jonathan Spector did not play for West Ham during this season.
Jonathan Spector did not play for West Ham during this season.
Blackburn Rovers
1-1: Saturday, 7th MayAnother who did ok up to the point at which he had to do something creative. Then his limitations became clear. Moved to right back in the second-half reshuffle.
Chelsea
0-3: Saturday, 23rd AprilA useful attack minded midfield. Set up WHU's best chance. Should be retained for Man City.
Manchester City
1-2: Saturday, 23rd AprilSolid, gives energy in the midfield and who knew he had an eye for the pass? Not outstanding, but reliable.
Aston Villa
1-2: Saturday, 16th AprilDid not play.
Bolton Wanderers
0-3: Saturday, 9th April(Replaced Parker, 76 mins) Little time to influence proceedings.
Manchester United
2-4: Saturday, 2nd AprilDid not play.
Stoke City
1-2: Sunday, 13th March(Replaced Piquionne, 35 mins) Another for whom the game passed him by, even though Specs was playing in his favoured midfield role.
Stoke City
3-0: Saturday, 5th MarchDid not play.
Liverpool
3-1: Sunday, 27th February(Replaced O'Neil, 78 mins) Came on and did a job.
Burnley
5-1: Monday, 21st February(Replaced Cole, 73 mins) Comments to follow.
West Bromwich Albion
3-3: Saturday, 12th February(Replaced O'Neil, 78 mins) Playing in an advanced role this week but little time to effect the game.
Birmingham City
1-3: Wednesday, 26th JanuaryComments to follow.
Everton
2-2: Saturday, 22nd JanuaryComments to follow.
Arsenal
0-3: Saturday, 15th JanuaryComments to follow.
Birmingham City
2-1: Tuesday, 11th JanuaryComments to follow.
Barnsley
2-0: Saturday, 8th JanuaryTidy enough game in the middle, obviously cup matches bring out the best in him.
Newcastle United
0-5: Wednesday, 5th JanuaryDid not play.
Everton
1-1: Tuesday, 28th December(Replaced Ilunga, 34 mins) Comments to follow.
Fulham
3-1: Sunday, 26th DecemberDid not play.
Blackburn Rovers
1-1: Saturday, 18th DecemberComments to follow.
Manchester City
1-3: Saturday, 11th DecemberComments to follow.
Sunderland
0-1: Sunday, 5th DecemberComments to follow.
Manchester United
4-0: Tuesday, 30th NovemberOwn up, whose heart sank when you saw his name on the team sheet? More than happy to admit the error of my ways. A decent game and who knew he was such a good finisher?
Wigan Athletic
3-1: Saturday, 27th NovemberDid not play.
Liverpool
0-3: Saturday, 20th NovemberDid not play.
Blackpool
0-0: Saturday, 13th NovemberDid not play.
West Bromwich Albion
2-2: Wednesday, 10th NovemberDid not play.
Manchester United
0-3: Saturday, 28th AugustReally bad. Killed the game with a rash challlange for the pen and wussed out of a challange for the third goal.
Oxford United
1-0: Tuesday, 24th AugustCompletely lacking confidence. Looked scared to go in for the tackle and backed off way too much. Also didn't offer much going forward.
Aston Villa
0-3: Saturday, 14th AugustDid not play.
Manchester City
1-1: Sunday, 9th MayDid not play.
Fulham
2-3: Monday, 3rd MayA shocker really. Awful error for their third. I have a horrible feeling that he's saving his next good game for the World Cup.
Wigan Athletic
3-2: Saturday, 24th AprilHad an absolute 'mare of a first half but, to his credit, he didn't hide and improved as the game progressed.
Liverpool
0-3: Monday, 19th AprilComments to follow.
Sunderland
1-0: Saturday, 10th AprilDid well enough but had a couple of shaky moments.
Everton
2-2: Thursday, 1st AprilVery good against Stoke but appalling today. Involved in both goals conceded.
Stoke City
0-1: Saturday, 27th MarchExcellent defensively and even provided a couple of cameos in more advanced quarters.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
1-3: Tuesday, 23rd March(Replaced Tomkins, 46 mins) Put in the traditional Jonathan Spector “ronseal” performance. Plenty of graft, not a great deal of quality.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
1-3: Tuesday, 23rd March(Replaced Tomkins, 46 mins) Placed in an unfamiliar central defensive role, in which he saw the ball hit the net twice in his opening 15 minutes on the field.
Arsenal
0-2: Saturday, 20th MarchComments to follow.
Chelsea
1-4: Saturday, 13th MarchComments to follow.
Bolton Wanderers
1-2: Saturday, 6th MarchStuck to his task despite little protection from those in front of him.
Manchester United
0-3: Tuesday, 23rd FebruaryQuite frankly, ripped apart by Valencia. Not helped by a lack of assistance from Diamanti or his replacement, Collison.
Hull City
3-0: Sunday, 21st FebruaryFollowing on from the decent half he had against Birmingham he had another good 90.
Hull City
3-0: Sunday, 21st FebruaryA quiet day for the left back with Hull's long ball antics.
Hull City
3-0: Sunday, 21st FebruaryFollowing on from the decent half he had against Birmingham he had another good 90.
Birmingham City
2-0: Wednesday, 10th February(Replaced Ilunga, 46 mins) Nobody’s ever going to look at the team sheet and say “oh good Spector’s playing”. However, he had a fine second half replacing Ilunga and was even seen wandering forward to assist with the attack from time to time.
Burnley
1-2: Saturday, 6th FebruaryDoes everything that is asked of him, and his application is never in question. Another perfectly adequate shift in an unfamiliar position.
Blackburn Rovers
0-0: Saturday, 30th JanuaryHad good and indifferent spells – including one storming run in the first half that came to a hilarious end as he found himself just outside the box surrounded by opponents.
Portsmouth
1-1: Tuesday, 26th JanuaryComments to follow.
Aston Villa
0-0: Sunday, 17th JanuaryComments to follow.
Tottenham Hotspur
0-2: Monday, 28th December(Replaced Ilunga, 19 minutes) Comments to follow.
Portsmouth
2-0: Saturday, 26th DecemberDid not play.
Chelsea
1-1: Sunday, 20th December(Replaced Kovac, 67 mins) Clean sheet! Barely tested really.
Bolton
1-3: Tuesday, 15th DecemberDid not play.
Birmingham City
0-1: Saturday, 12th DecemberDid not play.
Manchester United
0-4: Saturday, 5th DecemberDreadful. Still, on a day of few positives, we can at least take some comfort from the fact that he plays for the USA who are our first opponents in the World Cup.
Burnley
5-3: Saturday, 28th NovemberDid well in winning the first penalty but still looks the sort of player you only pick when someone better isn’t available.
Hull City
3-3: Saturday, 21st NovemberDid not play.
Everton
1-2: Sunday, 8th NovemberComments to follow.
Aston Villa
2-1: Wednesday, 4th November(Replaced Ilunga, 8 mins) Looked better now he seems to have lost his allergy to crossing the halfway line.
Sunderland
2-2: Saturday, 31st OctoberLooked dodgy all day and his failure to track back rendered him at least partly culpable for the equaliser. If we are in a position to bring in a player or two in January, this is one position that should be a priority.
Arsenal
2-2: Sunday, 25th OctoberRight-back is a position that worries me at the moment. Never looked all that comfortable defensively and seems to have an allergy to the opponents’ half of the field. Improved as the game progressed.
Stoke City
1-2: Saturday, 17th OctoberDid not play.
Fulham
2-2: Sunday, 4th OctoberDid not play.
Manchester City
1-3: Monday, 28th SeptemberDid not play.
Bolton Wanderers
1-3: Tuesday, 22nd SeptemberSteady game, nothing special.
Liverpool
2-3: Saturday, 19th SeptemberDid not play.
Wigan Athletic
0-1: Saturday, 12th SeptemberDid not play.
Blackburn Rovers
0-0: Saturday, 29th AugustA couple of dodgy clearances that he treid to send into orbit but fairly solid that aside.
Millwall
3-1: Tuesday, 25th AugustAnother chance to earn a bit more experience at left back.
Tottenham Hotspur
1-2: Sunday, 23rd AugustKept Lennon very quiet until he fell over.
Tottenham Hotspur
1-2: Sunday, 23rd AugustKept Lennon very quiet until he fell over.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
2-0: Saturday, 15th August(Replaced Ilunga, 65 mins) Caught in possession too often for my liking.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
2-0: Saturday, 15th August(Replaced Ilunga, 65 mins) Caught in possession too often for my liking.
Beijing Guoan
2-0: Friday, 31st JulyCarried on from a great performance in the Confederations Cup.
Middlesbrough
2-1: Sunday, 24th MayStuck to his task well without ever looking flustered.
Liverpool
0-3: Saturday, 9th MayDid not play.
Stoke City
1-0: Saturday, 2nd MayDid not play.
Chelsea
0-1: Saturday, 25th AprilDid not play.
Sunderland
2-0: Saturday, 4th AprilWasn’t having the most testing of days up to his unfortunate injury but was looking at getting forward more than of late.
Blackburn Rovers
1-1: Saturday, 21st MarchGuilty once more of going missing, leaving his man unmarked far too often.
West Bromwich Albion
0-0: Monday, 16th March(Replaced Upson, 29 mins) Gave his man far too much time and space. And please could somebody point out that Rugby is the game where you get penalised if the ball goes forward.
West Bromwich Albion
0-0: Monday, 16th March(Replaced Upson, 29 mins) No comments.
Bolton Wanderers
1-2: Saturday, 21st FebruaryFar more assured that Neill and provided Parker with an excellent pass for the goal.
Manchester City
1-0: Saturday, 21st February(Replaced Kovac, 83 mins) Decent few minutes – one good tackle back.
Middlesbrough
1-1: Saturday, 14th FebruaryDid not play.
Middlesbrough
1-1: Saturday, 14th FebruaryDid not play.
Middlesbrough
1-1: Saturday, 14th FebruaryDid not play.
Manchester United
0-1: Sunday, 8th FebruaryDid not play.
Manchester United
0-1: Sunday, 8th FebruaryDid not play.
Arsenal
0-0: Saturday, 31st JanuaryDid not play.
Arsenal
0-0: Saturday, 31st JanuaryDid not play.
Arsenal
0-0: Saturday, 31st JanuaryDid not play.
Hartlepool United
2-0: Saturday, 24th JanuaryDid not play.
Barnsley
3-0: Saturday, 3rd JanuaryDid not play.
Stoke City
2-1: Sunday, 28th December(replaced Di Michele, 89) Came on at the death with little time to influence matters.
Stoke City
2-1: Sunday, 28th December(replaced Di Michele, 89) Came on at the death with little time to influence matters.
Portsmouth
0-1: Tuesday, 8th AprilPoor. His first inclination whenever he got the ball was to play it backwards. Caught in possession far too much.
Sunderland
1-2: Saturday, 29th MarchAgain tried his best but still doesn’t look to be an automatic choice when all are fit.
Everton
1-1: Saturday, 22nd March(replaced Parker, 82) A long way to come for just eight minutes on the pitch.
Blackburn Rovers
2-1: Monday, 17th MarchLooked edgy throughout, completely out of his depth at centre back. Good interceptions in second half however.
Blackburn Rovers
2-1: Monday, 17th MarchDid ok without ever quite looking like he ought to be considered a first choice pick in that position.
Tottenham Hotspur
0-4: Monday, 10th MarchThis was not a Premiership display by any stretch of the imagination. The fact that it took injuries to three potential first choice centre backs to get him a start should tell you all you need to know.
Chelsea
0-4: Saturday, 1st MarchDid not play.
Fulham
1-0: Saturday, 23rd February(replaced Ljungberg, 90) Not on for long enough to register more than the slightest blip on the radar.
Birmingham City
1-1: Saturday, 9th February(replaced Ashton, 90) I think he touched the ball
Birmingham City
1-1: Saturday, 9th February(replaced Ashton, 90) I think he touched the ball
Wigan Athletic
1-0: Saturday, 2nd FebruaryDid not play.
Liverpool
1-0: Wednesday, 30th January(replaced Cole, 81) A fresh pair of legs as we went to shore things up. Was on the plot when Ljungberg won the penalty.
Liverpool
1-0: Wednesday, 30th January(replaced Cole, 81) A fresh pair of legs as we went to shore things up. Was on the plot when Ljungberg won the penalty.
Manchester City
0-1: Wednesday, 16th JanuaryDid not play.
Fulham
2-1: Saturday, 12th JanuaryHe comes in, plays wherever he’s asked and gets on with it. Solid game.
Manchester City
0-0: Saturday, 5th January(replaced Neill, 46) Nearly one back header of doom but slotted well into the right back position, handling Petrov well.
Manchester City
0-0: Saturday, 5th January(replaced Neill, 46) Seemed a little happier against Petrov than Neill had been. One horrible shot in the second half.
Arsenal
0-2: Tuesday, 1st JanuaryWorked hard but failed to make much use of what little ball he got.
Manchester United
2-1: Saturday, 29th DecemberGenerally solid though sticking his hand out in that girly manner gave Dean the excuse he’d been looking for. Moved over to the left in the second half as part of the reshuffle.
Manchester United
2-1: Saturday, 29th DecemberGenerally solid though sticking his hand out in that girly manner gave Dean the excuse he’d been looking for. Moved over to the left in the second half as part of the reshuffle.
Manchester United
2-1: Saturday, 29th DecemberA foolish moment for the handball, but he performed well in a number of positions throughout the match.
Reading
1-1: Wednesday, 26th DecemberA jittery performance mostly and Kitson often got the better of him.
Everton
0-2: Saturday, 15th DecemberDid not play.
Everton
0-2: Saturday, 15th DecemberDid not play.
Chelsea
0-1: Saturday, 1st December(replaced Parker, 78) I vaguely remember one interception but hardly registered.
Tottenham Hotspur
1-1: Saturday, 24th November(replaced Bowyer, 72) Solid enough without really registering on the radar.
Derby County
5-0: Saturday, 10th NovemberIf you have Spector playing the centre of your midfield you know you have injury problems. To his credit he did well and this was possibly his best performance in claret and blue to date. I’ll give him the goal as well.
Derby County
5-0: Saturday, 10th NovemberIf you have Spector playing the centre of your midfield you know you have injury problems. To his credit he did well and this was possibly his best performance in claret and blue to date. I’ll give him the goal as well.
Bolton Wanderers
1-1: Sunday, 4th November(replaced Mullins, 50) Made a couple of good bursts forward but is clearly unhappy playing in centre midfield.
Coventry City
2-1: Tuesday, 30th October(replaced Camara, 46) Strangely deployed in the centre of midfield. Struggled at times to cope in unfamiliar territory.
Reading
3-0: Saturday, 1st September(replaced Bowyer, 81) Play him in the hole, we’ll reap the benefits.
Reading
3-0: Saturday, 1st September(replaced Bowyer, 81) Solid enough in replacing Bowyer.
Reading
3-0: Saturday, 1st September(replaced Bowyer, 81) Solid enough in replacing Bowyer.
Wigan Athletic
1-1: Saturday, 25th AugustDid not play.
Wigan Athletic
1-1: Saturday, 25th AugustDid not play.
Wigan Athletic
1-1: Saturday, 25th AugustDid not play.
Birmingham City
1-0: Saturday, 18th AugustMuch better than last week though he still must be considered as a stand-in until Neill is fit again.
Birmingham City
1-0: Saturday, 18th AugustMuch better than last week though he still must be considered as a stand-in until Neill is fit again.
Manchester City
0-2: Saturday, 11th AugustDistribution was poor. Caused an unintentionally hilarious moment in the second half when he thought he was Ronaldo and pushed the ball one side of a defender whilst running around the other side. Unfortunately half way round he remembered he was Spector.
Manchester City
0-2: Saturday, 11th AugustLucas Neill's absence was felt here. Spector is willing but he is far from good enough, particularly his ability on the ball.
Manchester City
0-2: Saturday, 11th AugustDistribution was poor. Caused an unintentionally hilarious moment in the second half when he thought he was Ronaldo and pushed the ball one side of a defender whilst running around the other side. Unfortunately half way round he remembered he was Spector.
Manchester United
1-0: Sunday, 13th May(Replaced McCartney, 28) Did well coming in for the injured Linda.
Manchester United
1-0: Sunday, 13th May(Replaced McCartney, 28) Did well coming in for the injured Linda.
Bolton Wanderers
3-1: Saturday, 5th May(Replaced Boa Morte, 79) A solid if unremarkable few minutes.
Bolton Wanderers
3-1: Saturday, 5th May(Replaced Boa Morte, 79) A solid if unremarkable few minutes.
Wigan Athletic
3-0: Saturday, 28th April(Replaced Tevez, 82) No comment.
Wigan Athletic
3-0: Saturday, 28th April(Replaced Tevez, 82) No comment.
Everton
1-0: Saturday, 21st AprilDid not play.
Everton
1-0: Saturday, 21st AprilDid not play.
Arsenal
1-0: Saturday, 7th April(Replaced McCartney, 45) Playing in unfamiliar territory but an excellent effort.
Arsenal
1-0: Saturday, 7th April(Replaced McCartney, 45) Playing in unfamiliar territory but an excellent effort.
Middlesbrough
2-0: Saturday, 31st MarchDid not play.
Middlesbrough
2-0: Saturday, 31st MarchDid not play.
Blackburn Rovers
2-1: Saturday, 17th MarchDid not play.
Blackburn Rovers
2-1: Saturday, 17th MarchDid not play.
Tottenham Hotspur
3-4: Sunday, 4th MarchDid not play.
Watford
0-1: Saturday, 10th February(Replaced Neill, 32) One of the weak links on the pitch. Never went forward, and his defensive abilities looked shabby at best.
Watford
0-1: Saturday, 10th February(Replaced Neill, 32) Not tested defensively, didn’t show going forward.
Watford
0-1: Saturday, 10th February(Replaced Neill, 32) Not tested defensively, didn’t show going forward.
Aston Villa
0-1: Saturday, 3rd FebruaryComments to follow.
Liverpool
1-2: Tuesday, 30th JanuaryLooked poor defensively, especially in the first half. Really did not aid any attacking credentials.
Liverpool
1-2: Tuesday, 30th JanuaryCaught out of position way too often.
Watford
0-1: Saturday, 27th JanuaryConsidering the relative lack of threat from the opposition he looked very uncomfortable.
Watford
0-1: Saturday, 27th JanuaryConsidering the relative lack of threat from the opposition he looked very uncomfortable.
Newcastle United
2-2: Saturday, 20th January(Replaced Ferdinand, 85) Used to provide fresh legs in the final moments. Did everything he needed to.
Newcastle United
2-2: Saturday, 20th January(Replaced Ferdinand, 85) Thrown into the mix to help maintain parity.
Fulham
3-3: Saturday, 13th January(Replaced Collins, 11) I’m sure someone told me playing in the centre was the American’s best position. I’d disagree.
Fulham
3-3: Saturday, 13th January(Replaced Collins, 11) Abysmal. He had no positional sense, couldn't handle their attack at all and his heading was atrocious.
Fulham
3-3: Saturday, 13th January(Replaced Collins, 11) Abysmal. He had no positional sense, couldn't handle their attack at all and his heading was atrocious.
Brighton & Hove Albion
3-0: Saturday, 6th January(Replaced Ferdinand, 44) Had very little to do, but never looked unsure when called upon.
Brighton & Hove Albion
3-0: Saturday, 6th January(Replaced Ferdinand, 44) Not the hardest 46 minutes he’ll ever have but was solid enough.
Portsmouth
1-2: Tuesday, 26th DecemberHe was poor in the first half and was rightly subbed.
Fulham
0-0: Saturday, 23rd DecemberOccasionally guilty of giving his man a little too much space but stuck to his task.
Manchester United
1-0: Sunday, 17th DecemberWith Ronaldo and Giggs swapping over at will he had a tough time but coped with everything admirably. Mugging Ronaldo who was trying to shepherd the ball out for a corner was one of many marvellous moments.
Everton
0-2: Sunday, 3rd DecemberDid not offer an attacking threat, and defensively did not have his best game.
Everton
0-2: Sunday, 3rd DecemberStarted ok, but got worse as the game went on. Guilty of ball watching and offered little going forward.
Sheffield United
1-0: Saturday, 25th NovemberContinues to impress on the right.
Sheffield United
1-0: Saturday, 25th NovemberContinues to impress on the right.
Chelsea
0-1: Saturday, 18th NovemberVery sound defensively. Gets better with pretty much every game that passes.
Chelsea
0-1: Saturday, 18th NovemberStuck to his task well without ever quite dominating his man.
Chelsea
0-1: Saturday, 18th NovemberHad a fairly decent games against one of the world's trickiest wingers. Rarely had the opportunity to burst forward.
Chelsea
0-1: Saturday, 18th NovemberHad the thankless task of keeping Robben quiet and he did well.
Arsenal
1-0: Monday, 6th NovemberAnother very promising display from the young American. Defensively he was sound, and despite Arsenal's protestations the tackle on Hleb was a sound and perfectly legal one. I criticised him last week for his poor crossing; today there were no such complaints.
Arsenal
1-0: Monday, 6th NovemberIn the wars a bit as the opposition lined up to try for revenge after an early challenge on Van Persie. Maintained his cool well to have a decent game.
Blackburn Rovers
2-1: Sunday, 29th OctoberAn excellent performance defensively - although he needs to learn how to deliver a cross.
Portsmouth
0-2: Sunday, 15th OctoberLooked okay defensively but I’d like to see him get forward a bit more to support in attack.
Portsmouth
0-2: Sunday, 15th OctoberEx-Manchester United player. Apparently.
Reading
0-1: Sunday, 1st OctoberOften found on the wrong side of Reading midfielders. Did not offer an attacking outlet either.
Reading
0-1: Sunday, 1st OctoberYou had to feel a little bit sorry for the American full-back who was making his home debut. On the numerous occasions he found himself in space on the right he had virtually no support further afield on the flank. Defensively he performed okay.
Jonathan Spector did not play for West Ham during this season.
Jonathan Spector did not play for West Ham during this season.
Jonathan Spector did not play for West Ham during this season.
Jonathan Spector did not play for West Ham during this season.
Jonathan Spector did not play for West Ham during this season.
Jonathan Spector did not play for West Ham during this season.