i get the feeling that he'd stay in or around london if he could. with the expected exodus at west ham, there will be room for him somewhere. he has been released and who knows what'll turn up. i think if all things were equal (wage, playing time, etc) he'd stay at west ham. hopefully that happens. he's a good player and, if nothing else, always works hard, which is more than you can say about a lot of the current squad.
Kovac has left for FC Basel ... sorry for FC Basel ... so that opens up some room for Specs in the midfield should he be inclined to stay.
Barring a dramatic volte-face Spector won't be at West Ham next season. A new contract couldn't be agreed so he's been released by the club.
good news. whats the middle looking like now? Nolan, Noble, Collison the primary breadwinners here? (Im assuming Parker is for sure leaving and Hitz most likely, but if the Hammers could keep a Nolan-Hitz midfield in the league below it would be fantastic for them)
I think someone in Europe will take a chance on him before he comes back to mls. His performances at the latter end of the season really helped him out.
I think someone in Europe will take a chance on him before he comes back to the US and plays in the mls for the first time. His performances at the latter end of the season really helped him out. I edited it to make it a correct statement.
OK ... he does have a Euro passport, so unless MLS is willing to overpay him, he'll find a much better gig over there.
I don't see any possible way of Spector coming to MLS. He's still young and has PL experience and with a Euro passport, he's worth a look at many clubs, albeit small but still in the top leagues.
Was just passing on some information regarding Specs and the MLS that was passed on in good faith. Fat Sam is to sit down with him this week, according to some folks and David Gold's twitter account.
Dont know if theres anything to it but: I'd imagine if that were true Leeds would be looking at him as a midfielder.
obviously if they get him as a midfielder all is well. They have been bleeding midfielders this offseason. If he does stay in the championship i want him to stay with the Hammers though.
Robert Snodgrass had been linked to a number of Premiership clubs, Leeds turned back a bid of 3.5m from Norwich, and another for 5m iirc, and have set the price tag at 8m. Two years left on his contract but papers said last week he might be close to a contract extension. Leeds POTY Max Gradel has been linked to HSV/PSG/Fulham/WHU/others. but Grayson said he's received no offers and doesn't intend to sell him in spite of having a year left in his contract. One of the biggest signings this summer would be extending Max, who got his first Ivory Coast cap this summer and IMO is on the cusp of stardom. Schmeichel sold to Leicester, Rachubka joins as #2 with one of David Stockdale (a local "lad" and Fulham chasing other keepers,) Iain Turner (Howards backup at Everton,) Lonergran (PNE,) or Jerzy Dudek (leaving Real Madrid to play games) coming in as the #1. This is where it becomes more relevant to Spector. Bradley Johnson has joined Paul Lambert's project at Norwich City. Neil Kilkenny was able to get a few extra thousands pounds a week more then Leeds thought he was worth from Bristol City. There are two spots in midfield, one will (allegedly) be filled by Jonathan Greening from Fulham, who supposedly is coming back to his Yorkshire roots on a 3 year deal. Torsten Frings and Lee Bowyer were linked with moves but signed elsewhere. Other midfielders Leeds are linked with are David Jones from Wolves and Alan Smith (who I highly doubt will dare to return to Leeds) and so I'd imagine Spector would be looked at as a midfielder who can provide cover at RB. Leeds need to sign a LB (starter) and possibly a RB (cover) as well. Not to get too of topic but I'd suspect Leeds will be on the phone with Aston Villa regarding Lichaj's availability. Lichaj has said he would come back to Leeds if he's not in the first team at Villa and Leeds have said they would love to have him back for the season. Spector would make a lot of sense for Leeds to be interested in him: 1) he's free - very important for Ken Bates, Leeds always focus on the free agent market. 2) has a lot of experience - something Grayson said he is targeting this summer. 3) can play multiple positions of need.
You forgot Becchio, who seems to be wanted by a few newly promoted EPL clubs (I know, he's a forward and all)
I put no stock in those rumors, Becchio just signed a contract extension through to 2014 in December, so the club won't sell him. Not to mention he also has a young family and supposedly loves the City and feels at home there, so I'm not sure he would even be interested in uprooting his family to the likes of Swansea in the first place.
Can now confirm that Specs has turned down the option to stay and will be taking his talents elsewhere.