Sad Vlad

[the exile]

"Vlad is apparently unhappy at only getting a one year extension on his contract, and wanted a longer term, more lucrative deal. But did he deserve it? My view is that he is good, but not so good that we couldn't or shouldn't consider an upgrade. He's not getting any younger and seems to be losing what little pace he already had. But he has definitely been a positive addition and has played an important role in our progress over the last few years. https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/25207790/west-ham-vladimir-coufal-unhappy-transfer-contract-extension/"

[Fauxstralian]

"I understood he hasnt signed anything just that we have taken up our option to extend him by 12 months to protect our position. Sensible as I'd hope at some point we'd be looking to upgrade at right back. Would hope we would be thinking of the same with Soucek Going forward I think he'd be a useful back up / squad player or someone who could be useful if we needed a late goal. Just imagine if we were more ambitious and had been able to retain Rice. A team with Rice, Alvarez, Paqueta, Kudus & Bowen * turns steak over on bbq* THATS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE"

[On The Ball]

"He can't be that sad - I remember reading his story about how he forced hsi moves to Slavia and then us, so if he's signed it he's ok."

[Russ of the BML]

"BillyJenningsBoots 1:24 Tue Jan 2 Well, yes, that is a very good point. I think they've mis-judged these two contracts. Could argue Coufal maybe one year too short and Soucek one year too long. Both up to 2026 may have been more balanced. But Coufal needs to understand that you have to manage the squad based on positions. Soucek scores goals and, despite games where he doesn't register much data, he is important to us. We may also be lining up a new RB in Jan?"

[BillyJenningsBoots]

Russ - pity they didn't take a similar pragmatic approach with Soucek 2027!!!!!

[Russ of the BML]

"Seems about right to me. Had a contract up to end of season 2024 and now has a contract up to end of season 2025. So basically for him its guaranteed him a decent salary and regular football for another season and a half. I get it though. He obviously wanted two year extension as t means he doesn't have to worry about contract talks next season. On the face of it he probably deserves it but, let's be honest, he's not getting any younger and the RB position is one where we need an upgrade. The club have been pragmatic here and I believe is the right way. There's no loyalty in football and we normally always end up with holding players for too long."

[Side of Ham]

"Considering we've laid out some proper wedge on utter dross, this bloke is a regular and has done pretty well, also what has been asked of him and consistently. I doubt he's even asking for silly money just parity."

[marty feldman]

Charlie wyett of the sun wrote it . Complete and utter north London propagandarist . Ignore it and happy new year . No surprise whatsoever this has appeared after beating the arse .

[Gary Strodders shank]

I'm still waiting for him to score for us. 100 plus appearances now and I can't remember him even coming close as never seems to get in the right positions from right back. I've actually started backing him now at huge prices on betfair hoping for a miss hit cross or the like. A good solid defender though if not spectacular.

[fraser]

"I remember when Kudus joined all of us saying where will he play, he's never taking Bowen's place on the right.. He's better than Bowen in my opinion."

[rumford]

Yes he does rely on cover from the likes of Kudus and Bowen but that how we defend as a team. To be fair how many defenders do we have are good at one on one situations.

[Sir Alf]

"True Exile, but imo Kudus has improved markedly on Bowen's defensive covering which was itself decent . He (Kudus) is so bloody strong and a bit quicker. Brilliant at getting a foot in and holding it up too. And it sounds like our appeal to Ghana for an extra day so he can play has been turned down so we will really miss him as will Coufal."

[rumford]

"He has been agood and a reasonably consistent player for us, given what we paid for him, so l won't knock him for trying for a better deal."

[the exile]

It's not as if Vlad has been spoilt by Kudus - Bowen has always done a decent defensive job too.

[Hammer and Pickle]

That’s a very good point about Kudus being so engaged in a supporting role. Not really sure this is the right kind of balance for a top-flight outfit.

[Manuel]

"In the grand scheme of things this comes well down the 'worry' pecking order, but fwiw a one year extension seems about right for me. Always thought we missed a trick not signing Matty Cash before he went to Villa."

[Sir Alf]

We are about to see how Vlad gets on without Kudus helping him out. He may not be so deserving of an extension after that or may prove he is? Kudus gets the plauditsfor his attacking strengths and goals but his defensive work rate and interceptions are exceptional too. But even if Coufal gets exposed in the next month or so he has still been an exceptional value for money signing.

[fraser]

Dis they point a gun at his head and make him sign it? Looks like good news to me as must be planning an upgrade

[Hammer and Pickle]

"Keeping a dissatisfied Coufal while selling a player like Kerher, who has been left to rot, is what you can expect with a manager like Moyes sticking his oar in all the time."

[Vexed]

"Probably justified given his performances are pretty consistent, we have a ton of dross in the team that dont play earning several times more than he does and we're actively trying to sell the only passable backup we have at RB. The genius of Moyes at work. Fuck knows what we'll do if he gets injured."

[Hammer and Pickle]

Sell Vlad (red-card hazard here)

[northbankboy68]

He is having a great season. When you look at the Ings deal he is justified if he feels passed off.

[northbankboy68]

He is having a great season. When you look at the Ings deal he is justified if he feels passed off.