West Ham United manager Alan Curbishley has called on the club’s fans to stop booing trialist Ben Thatcher.
The former Millwall, Wimbledon and Tottenham Hotspur left-back has played twice for the Irons in pre-season after being released by Charlton Athletic.
However, the decision to take Thatcher on as a possible back-up to injured first-choice George McCartney has not sat well with many Irons supporters, who are unhappy with the player’s career history.
Not only has he played for two of the Hammers’ biggest rivals, but Thatcher has also been in trouble following a number of high-profile disciplinary problems.
However, despite the jeering that Thatcher received during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Villarreal at Upton Park, Curbishley believes the 32-year-old Wales international could be a worthwhile acquisition.
“I didn’t quite understand it,” he said.
“I don’t think George will be too far away so we’re looking for some experienced cover and we took the opportunity to give Ben half a game.
“Perhaps the fans don’t understand what the situation is. I’ll have to think about it.”
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“Perhaps the fans don’t understand what the situation is. I’ll have to think about it.”
No Alan, perhaps you don’t understand that you’ve had a whole season to find a left back to cover for MacCartney and only now, when he is injured do you decide that we need cover. Not only that, you decide to give a trial to a known thug, a 32 year-old has been and a player who is not wanted by the whole of the Premiership. What an earth did you expect? Alan Curbishley is a fool if he didn’t see a problem with siging Ben Thatcher.