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| | Tuesday, 7 January, 2003, 10:17 GMT Should West Ham sign Bowyer?  Leeds' controversial midfielder Lee Bowyer is on the verge of signing for Premiership strugglers West Ham. Is he the right man for the Hammers? West Ham have agreed a nominal fee with Leeds and are expected to complete the capture of Bowyer this week. The England international's tenacious style and goalscoring ability could be vital in helping the Hammers avoid relegation. But his chequered past, on and off the field, may make the deal an unpopular one with some fans: at Upton Park and beyond. Bowyer himself is desperate to leave Elland Road, but Leeds look set to receive peanuts for a player valued at �10m in the summer. Who are the winners and losers in the deal? This debate is now closed. A selection of your e-mails appear below. Bowyer would be a really god buy for West Ham, but what they really need is a really good leader in their team, like big Roy at Utd. As a Leeds fan, we are best rid of Bowyer. How can a player who has had the backing (both financial and moral) of a club the size of Leeds United consider a move to West Ham a positive career move? When Rio joined Leeds he stated one of the reasons for leaving West Ham as being him needing to get out of the London lifestyle - surely this is the last thing that Lee Bowyer needs?? Watch out West Ham, you have just brought a very big kid to a very big sweet shop and I don't think it will be long before he will be back to his ways and in trouble again! As a Leeds fan, I'm very disappointed to see him go, but the loyalty between Bowyer and Leeds is obviously not reciprocated. During the infamous court case the entire football fan community condemned Bowyer (and Woodgate) giving them endless abuse from the terraces.
How hypocritical, when probably the same people are now embracing the imminent signing and the anticipated "thuggish" antics of Lee Bowyer. Lastly, to all West Ham fans, it's now your turn to start making excuses about Lee Bowyer's tackles, stampings etc. I am not a Leeds or a West Ham fan, but a football fan. After that malicious stamping incident I don't think Lee Bowyer should be playing professional football for any team anywhere. Interesting comments. Bowyer might be as talented as any other young player of his generation, but what of his temperament. Remember David Beckham in France 1998? What a difference five years makes. But I don't think Bowyer can do a Beckham. It looks like he has not learnt from his off-field problems. Lee Bowyer's signing is steering the club back to its '70s and '80s image of a club supported by right-wing skinhead thugs. The only happy Hammers fans are those who have slowly but surely been eradicated from the crowd, but who now will flock back in their droves. West Ham are about to undo all the good community relations work they have done, in one single swoop. The signing of a vile thug is unfortunately going to tarnish the name of West Ham forever. I stopped supporting England when they selected Bowyer and his dim-witted partner Woodgate. I see no option but to banish West Ham as well. So the manager and chairman were united in saying we needed one or two strikers and perhaps a defender, so what do we get? Lee Bowyer - says it all about the club really doesn't it!
As a West Ham supporter for over 35 years, at this difficult time a player such as Bowyer would be welcome, BUT he is a thug who doesn't deserve to play in the premier or any other league. My worry is that his sort could stir up the hooligan element that exists at most clubs. Does Bowyer epitomise the image and sporting traditions associated with West Ham? Er...I don't think so!!! Quoting Rob Zijlstra: "according to the law that does mean you're innocent doesn't it?" Not if Lord Irvine or Woolf are in charge. Bowyer, like many footballers these days, believes he is above the law because of what he does for a living. West Ham are unfortunately doomed to relegation this year - the �1m survival bonus Bowyer is being offered is an insult - who is to say he'll hang around anyway. Roeder should look for someone else who doesn't act like a spoilt brat or stamp on people's heads. There are two ways to avoid prison - be a burglar or a Premiership footballer with Chelsea or Leeds. Finally the board and Roeder are doing something right. Bowyer in midfield with Carrick, Cole and Cisse; we're looking for a striker, do we forget where Sinclair use to play? Defoe and Sinclair up front!!!
As with other comments on this page, I feel bitter that Lee Bowyer has turned his back on Leeds despite how we, the fans and club, have backed him through all the court case. I think the fine dished out to Lee by the club even though he was found not guilty is the reason he has not stayed. Don't care who signs him as long as he's away from Leeds, the arrogant money-grabber. As a Leeds fan, I didn't think there would be any premier league clubs stupid enough to pay money for him. How wrong can I be!? We've got the worst defensive record in the Premiership and a defender playing as makeshift striker - I'm not convinced a midfielder is what we need. Bowyer has the passion - and on the positive side, a move to West Ham will delay his European six-match ban for a few years. Ironically, West Ham need to add the likes of Michael Duberry or Ian Harte more than they need another midfielder. Perhaps they should head back to Leeds for another look at the merchandise on offer. One player doesn't make a team but he might just be the missing link that the Hammers need. I hope that he performs well for West Ham so that he can finally put his so well documented off the field problems behind him.
Bowyer will be a good signing for West Ham. His enthusiasm will be infectious and I've no doubt that he will inject urgency and determination into a sometimes lacklustre team. His experience and proven goal scoring will be needed to help keep The Hammers up. I can't wait to see him link up with Di Canio! Bowyer is right for the Hammers. As the club has proved with Di Canio, a man cannot be condemned for one or two mistakes in life. What about Merson, Adams and others found guilty of drink and drugs abuse. They were not condemned and nor should they have been. Football is no different from every other walk of life, if you do the crime you serve the time, then you have to be given an opportunity to redeem yourself. No player is more passionate, no player wants to win more than he does. He alone will not keep West Ham up, but as part of the team he surely will. Good luck to him and West Ham for taking this bold step. Someone said that West Ham have got Lee Bowyer on the cheap because we (Leeds) still owe money on the Rio deal. FA regulations state transfers between English clubs must be fully paid off inside 12 months - Rio joined in November 2000! Anyway, I'm sad Lee Bowyer is leaving, because all the way through his arrest, questioning and trials, we Leeds fans supported him when everyone else chanted for him to be put in jail! Frankly, I'm now glad he's going - West Ham are welcome to him! And if they go down, whoever gets him can have him! As a Leeds fan I'm happy to see him go and have the money instead. I know that he is a player with talent but that comes at a cost. For the court case I gave him the benefit of the doubt but some of his 'head stamping' incidents on the field of play since are not welcome and not acceptable. Good luck West Ham, I think you'll be needing it! Hartson/Kitson, Di Canio and now Bowyer... it's worked before for the Irons. While I have deep reservations about Bowyer's personality, I think in West Ham's position it's very difficult to let 'moral scruples' over-ride the needs of the club. In law, after all, the man was 'not guilty', even if the trial ended in fiasco. It's certainly a courageous gamble by Roeder - it might be a rash one.
I can understand why many fans will be unhappy about the signing, and the club may have a particularly hard time convincing the local community that Bowyer's signing isn't an insult, given the strength of feeling which surrounded the Leeds trial. It's a PR nightmare, but on purely football terms, it's difficult to criticise the move, as cover and/or long-term replacement for the increasingly injury-prone and ageing Paolo Di Canio. A midfield containing Cole, Carrick, Sinclair and Bowyer is formidable indeed on paper. Bowyer will give this immensely skilful line-up a degree of bite and ball-winning ability sorely lacking over the last couple of seasons. Of course, the success of the move will be chiefly down to Bowyer himself - not just on the park but if he can convince a sceptical public that he really is a reformed character. Any signs of further trouble from him and the board and Glenn Roeder will be in no doubt as to the fans' opinion. Bowyer needs to take proactive steps to build bridges with the fans and the wider community. Let's face it, he's got his work cut out if he wants to be a true local hero. As a Leeds fan, I am both relieved and disappointed to lose Lee Bowyer. He will be a fantastic signing for Glenn Roeder and West Ham. It's appalling how quickly the Leeds fans have forgotten how great he has been for the team. He has given everything on the pitch. Nobody can fault his commitment and ability. His off the field problems are obvious but I wish him the best of luck and hope he can put it all behind him. He's a thug and we don't need another midfielder. Is this the board preparing back-up before selling Cole or Carrick for big money?
I am a West Ham fan and have no wish to watch this (admittedly talented) idiot turn out for us - I'd rather stick with Steve Lomas or Edouard Cisse than sign Bowyer. Everyone who says we need defenders is right. I guess it's probably down to Leeds still owing us for money for Rio - how else could we get players in when apparently we have nothing to spend? Hence "undisclosed fee". Hope it falls through. As a Liverpool fan I was glad he was not signed up. The man is a thug who has allowed, like so many other young footballers around the world, to let fame go to his head. He has talent there is no doubt about it but as team man forget it. Good luck West Ham. The thug comments on this page are appalling. English football is full of ill-spirited players like Keane, Bergkamp and others who like to elbow or stamp a player from time to time, so why single out Bowyer because he was involved in a court case? I believe he was acquitted of the charges there, so according to the law that does mean you're innocent doesn't it? In addition, Bowyer's move to the Hammers will make him more aware of his responsibilities towards the club, and therefore both club and player will benefit from it. I think the time is right for everyone for Bowyer to leave. He has been good for the club in the past but not so recently. He should fit in well with the Hammers' set-up, and being back down in London may well calm him down, although he already had a reputation when he joined Leeds from Charlton. Bowyer is another classic example of a great footballer who comes with great problems. I think Lee Bowyer has had the last laugh. He has a grudge with Peter Ridsdale and Leeds about his costs from the trial, so with his ongoing contract saga he has made himself worthless to Leeds, probably costing them about �9m not including all the damage from the trial. As soon as he refused to sign Leeds should have got rid of him at any price and not played him in the meantime. If West Ham go down let's hope nobody else pays him extortionate wages for his inflated ego. I don't believe any player in the League can prevent West Ham from being relegated to Division One at the end of this season. However, it will be a good thing for Lee Bowyer to transfer to Upton Park. It will give him a fresh start and a chance for him to show he has matured as a player (fat chance)!
As a Leeds fan it's great to see the back of him, finally. Many fans will be sentimental but frankly the Lee Bowyer we loved a couple of seasons ago is long gone - and his performances this season prove it. He's perfectly within his rights to see out his contract, but in my opinion he and his agent have proved to be double-dealing sharks at every stage of two years of negotiations and damaged Leeds on and off the pitch. Unfortunately Bowyer has proved to be many of the bad things the press labelled him with - good riddance and I look forward to Leeds stuffing West Ham in the next encounter before they assume their rightful place in the Nationwide. As a Leeds fan I am disappointed to see Bowyer depart. He is a quality footballer and will be missed by the Leeds team. Best of luck to the guy and thanks for some great football performances over the years. It's also high time the media laid off Lee Bowyer. Find another target! This is a statement of intent from the West Ham board that they are trying everything to keep the club afloat. Reputation means nothing here, Bowyer is being brought in on sheer ability and with a point to prove. Quite simply, West Ham cannot fail. Having seen how much better Leeds have been playing since Bowyer has been out of the team and on the bench I can only ask why we didn't do it sooner. Let's focus on the game in hand now - getting higher up the table and qualifying for the Champions League. In the long run I think signing Bowyer is the start of a West Ham revival, the decline having started with the sale of Rio Ferdinand. This signing will probably attract the quality players we need in defence and up front. West Ham have looked far too flimsy physically this year thus we need brawn to match the talent. 2003 will be a completely different story and we're staying up, that's for sure. Good move Roeder...at last I've always had a soft spot for West Ham but now that they have that moron in the team I hope they go down and stay down. Will West Ham prove to be the best club relegated in Premiership history? It certainly seems that way at the minute, but the signing of Bowyer proves Roeder isn't willing to sit back and watch his ship sink.
Paul Wallace, North East, England I think signing Lee could be the best thing that has happened for us this season. Forget about the court case, just look at what he can do on the football pitch. He may be hot-headed but maybe that's what West Ham need.....some bottle in the team to get some tackles going. Lee would be a breath of fresh air for the Hammers. I don't think offering Bowyer a four-month contract, with a �1m bonus if we stay up, is right. It isn't only Bowyer who will keep us up, if we stay up. Surely, the rest of the team would be entitled to a bonus as well. This is something that the club can not afford. If Bowyer wants to come to West Ham, he should be coming on a full/long term transfer deal, not a short term deal. West Ham will be wasting money if he only comes to the end of this season. Just a quick message to Daryl Milner. Enjoy the sour grapes mate as we won't be enjoying the lower divisions any time soon. Too much class; England's midfield future for a start(Bowyer included). I think that there is a strong possibility that Bowyer could be more of a liability than a help. However, in our current plight and given the limited current options in the transfer market for the peanuts we can offer, it's a calculated risk that is worth taking. I have been a Hammer all my life and I would quit supporting the team if we sign Bowyer. Surely there is an alternative. As an unhappy Hammer, I feel that someone with the grit and determination of Bowyer could be a real asset to the relegation fight. I only hope that Roeder is as good at controlling him as Redknapp was with Di Canio! Hell of a player, player from Hell! Don't rate him as a person but as a footballer he's just what we need. Hopefully his passion will rub off on the likes of Sinclair, who has looked lazy and uninterested of late, and spark a revival which will lead us to safety. At last some positive steps taken by an otherwise lacklustre board and management team. Come on you Irons!!
Bowyer is right for no one. He is a complete disgrace to the so-called 'beautiful game'. When will managers learn? If Glenn Roeder takes him on he is mad, and he'll regret it before the end of the season. West Ham have always had a fine tradition for playing good, open football with a good bunch of players. That could all change if Bowyer goes to them - they have enough talent in their side to beat the drop without enlisting his services. Anyway, as a Leeds supporter I say good riddance, but I feel sorry for West Ham. I think Lee Bowyer is exactly what West Ham need. He can score, he's creative and he's got more spirit and desire than the whole of the West Ham team put together. Good Riddance to Bowyer. Would West Ham United please also take Michael Duberry, Ian Harte, Jacob Burns and Paul Okon please! This is fantastic business for both Bowyer and West Ham. If he manages to help keep West Ham up then he will have had to be playing back at his best. This should revive his England chances, and enhance those of Cole and Carrick alongside him in the West Ham midfield.
He will also get his Premiership survival bonus, but West Ham will have still got a massive bargain as Liverpool were prepared to spend �9m on Bowyer earlier this year. It's doubly good for Bowyer because if they don't stay up he will probably have a clause in his contract that allows him to leave anyway. I don't think that Bowyer on his own can save West ham as they cannot defend and don't have fit cover up front. Roeder needs to bring in several new players, soon!! Good riddance to bad rubbish. Leeds should have booted him out ages ago. Bowyer's ego is bigger than his football skills. Good luck to West Ham, but not to Bowyer. He is a thug and remains a thug. We supported him through thick and thin but that loyalty never paid off, so pack your bags and leave tonight you money-grabber. Deja Vu? Only feels like 10 minutes since we were debating his move to Liverpool. As a bitter Leeds fan, I hope he goes to West Ham and spends the next six years playing in Division One with the rest of the Hammers. He should have stuck with Leeds as we have stuck with him through all his antics. See ya Lee, enjoy the lower divisions. Bowyer is an absolute disgrace to the game. His behaviour on the pitch is vile, off the pitch he is a thug, and his attitude to the teams he plays for is mercenary at best. This idiot doesn't know how lucky he is to be a footballer, he is the worst example of a professional I have ever seen. It makes me sick that West Ham (or any other football club) would want this cretin playing for their team.
Bowyer is undoubtedly a class midfield player, but as a regular at Upton Park I feel midfield is where we actually have class players already. What we really need is a striker and two good solid defenders. Bowyer would be a welcome addition, but not in the vital areas in which we are lacking. A great player for Leeds over the years, but on current form and his obvious wish to leave Leeds, West Ham are welcome to him. I must admit I was pleased when he didn't sign for Liverpool in the summer, but now I'm gutted he didn't; the money would have been much more handy. I'm not sure if Lee will be appreciated around East Ham because of his past. That said, he's a decent player, and as a West Ham supporter himself I hope he will try his best to keep us up, and that he's not just in this for his own selfish reasons. Bowyer is a thug and would fit in well at West Ham. Himself and Repka might find true love. I think West Ham's midfield is one of their strengths, what they really need is a reliable striker and some quality in defence. Bowyer could be more trouble than he's worth.
Lee Bowyer is no doubt just the boost West Ham need right now. Personally as a Spurs fan I'd love to see him come to us, but it looks like the Hammers have done it. If you look throughout the West Ham side, the 'quality' players are still of a young age - Cole, Carrick, Defoe and even Kanoute. They need an experienced 'fighter' in that midfield, and Bowyer would fit the bill. His goals and assists will go a long way to securing WHU as a Premiership team. If Lee Bowyer didn't have football, he would probably be in jail. He is a thug. Don't sign him. Well, he's been great for the club, but not so recently; I'm not sure he really has ever got over the court case. I say good luck to him if he wants to go to the Hammers. However, if they do go down I can't see anyone taking Bowyer on in the summer. | | 
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Lee Bowyer's signing is steering the club back to its '70s and '80s image 
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