zico
12:11 Mon Jun 29
Re: Pablo Zabaleta
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Full Claret Jacket 3:38 Sun Jun 28
Couldn't have put it better myself. For sure the legs had gone a bit but if some of the others put in 100% every game and showed the same attitude that he did we wouldn't be in the position we are now,. Great servant to football.
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Hermit Road
12:00 Mon Jun 29
Re: Pablo Zabaleta
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There are two separate points on this thread.
They aren’t mutually exclusive.
One is that he seems like a good fella and a good professional who is rightly respected across the club and the game. It is always good to see players like that in a West Ham shirt.
The second is that we as a club have allocated our finite resources poorly on a consistent basis over the years. As good a professional as he is, I don’t think £11 million was money well spent. That there are much worse examples of us using funds poorly doesn’t mean that this is an example of using money well.
By the way, I don’t begrudge him a penny of it.
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Bernie
11:59 Mon Jun 29
Re: Pablo Zabaleta
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What a complete arsehole thing for Alex V to say after Zabaleta has said this.
Prick
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wd40
11:42 Mon Jun 29
Re: Pablo Zabaleta
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Decent honest football player always gave everything on joining us .
When a thread comes up in 5/6 years about him it will all be positive not like some.
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Alwaysaniron
10:37 Mon Jun 29
Re: Pablo Zabaleta
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The man is a true gentleman. A real ambassador for football and loved clearly by most of the fans (except Alex). I wish him well and hope to see him in the media as the guy speaks sense. Perhaps he was 'past it' when he came to us, so what! We have taken many many worse, and under the current regime will continue to do so. Good luck Zaba (although I doubt you need it) in whatever you choose to do next! In my opinion you'll always be welcome back at West Ham.
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LeroysBoots
9:39 Mon Jun 29
Re: Pablo Zabaleta
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Always gave his all, that's all we ask as fans
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Iron Duke
9:18 Mon Jun 29
Re: Pablo Zabaleta
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Spot on, Geoff.
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Far Cough
8:54 Mon Jun 29
Re: Pablo Zabaleta
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Darby_ 4:21 Sun Jun 28
Re: Pablo Zabaleta
Probably, alongside CARLTON, the most likeable player to play with us in the last decade.
He was really great for a season, and for all the talk of him being a waste of money, we haven’t really been able to replace that.
Add Ginger Pele to that list
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geoffpikey
8:26 Mon Jun 29
Re: Pablo Zabaleta
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Sorry, that was to Alex.
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geoffpikey
8:25 Mon Jun 29
Re: Pablo Zabaleta
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In terms of £11m "wasted" Zabaletta isn't even on the same planet as some (or a lot!) of WHU's signings.
Long-term, potential to step up signing: we get Savio
Super skillful baller who will bring flair? Anderson
Fiery goal machine? Zaza ( he cost us £4m just as a loan fee!)
International legend? Suker
Can't be arsed to go on. Footballers are stupidly expensive, full stop. Zabaleta got paid a lot as is befitting of one of the best players of his generation, and I am sure he was an inspiration to have around the place. His letter seems genuine... In an era when most players couldn't give a fuck. He always seemed to be high-profile in the community / charity work the club does, as well.
Thanks Zab. Anyone who is a FAN (rather than wannabe project manager) will remember him with fondness. Even when his legs were shot.
* Not denying our recruitment is dire. But I'd suggest the failing is often in psychology / character rather than ability.
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Darby_
4:21 Sun Jun 28
Re: Pablo Zabaleta
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Probably, alongside CARLTON, the most likeable player to play with us in the last decade.
He was really great for a season, and for all the talk of him being a waste of money, we haven’t really been able to replace that.
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Full Claret Jacket
3:38 Sun Jun 28
Re: Pablo Zabaleta
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Couldn't give a shit about the economics of the deal.
I want to see players giving their all for the shirt. He did that, he had the right attitude, respected the club and the fans even to the point he wouldn't take the money to stay when he wouldn't be able to contribute.
Yes he was past his best when we got him but we need more players like him in the game. I'm pleased he chose to join us to see out his time in England.
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Hermit Road
2:44 Sun Jun 28
Re: Pablo Zabaleta
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Alex V 1:26 Sun Jun 28
Got to admit, it is a fair point. I’d say he added some value to the team but nowhere near £11 million worth.
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Alfie
2:20 Sun Jun 28
Re: Pablo Zabaleta
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In fairness - the blokes had the gumption to take the time to write that...and it reads as if he actually has written and contributed to it as opposed to having a media relations type jot it out for him.
As an expression of what he thinks - we should make him right for that at least. we should have the grace of giving it a suitable rejoinder.
Of course we live in an age where to write and say things contrary is perceived as the height of thought and eloquence.
Some seem to have lost the ability to see that sometimes people just put something genuine out there. These same bods presumably are perfect specimens themselves. Funny though - because unblemished perfection was not something I booked as west ham. maybe some analysts know better.
Those giving it the clever bit about his faults...if we had a few more as honest - perhaps we'd not go down.
As it is we've got a load of crafty cunts who talk the talk - but have done fuck all for us. made us as shit as villa...Norwich. presided over our relegation.
see you down there next season.
your forensic eye will be welcome amongst the glitterati down there...
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gph
1:53 Sun Jun 28
Re: Pablo Zabaleta
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Timed this almost exactly right.
Would've loved it if he had another season in him, but he hasn't.
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Alfie
1:50 Sun Jun 28
Re: Pablo Zabaleta
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Alex posting a contrary / devils advocate view?
No... I wont have it. Unprecedented. In terms of precedentedness - this is Un.
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Browno22
1:46 Sun Jun 28
Re: Pablo Zabaleta
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Good luck Pablo
And fuck off alex
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Takashi Miike
1:36 Sun Jun 28
Re: Pablo Zabaleta
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what do we have to show for the £40m + wages wasted on that lazy cunt anderson? masuaku's been a far worse defender over the same period, yet you have your tongue permanently up his arse
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Alex V
1:26 Sun Jun 28
Re: Pablo Zabaleta
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A creaking part of a terrible defence. Sorry to say it, as I'm sure he's a nice guy and gave what he had.
£11m odd at least thrown at his contract, plus a hidden signing on fee we could guess was a bunch more. And we end up with £0 and really nothing to show for it. An awful, awful signing, and a great example of the terrible transfer strategy at the club.
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