Lucas Neill money grab maybe not so one dimensional.
“At no stage did money enter into the footballing decision I was making�. Lucas Neill, January 24, 2007.
At no stage? Really, Lucas? That’s a bit irresponsible, isn’t it? You’ve got a family to feed, in a country that’s quite expensive. “West Ham have produced people like Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters, Trevor Brooking and Billy Bonds over the years�. Oh c’mon mate, that’s like Roy Asotasi saying he’s joining Souths because of Clive Churchill.
Money didn’t even enter the equation? “Yes, I want to be secure like everyone�. Aah, now that sounds closer the truth.
The facts first: Neill ignored a deal with his boyhood club Liverpool, a club constantly near the top of the league and playing champions league football on a regular basis, for near double the money at West Ham, a club in the relegation zone and the second worst defensive team in the premiership.
At least he’ll get plenty of camera time.
We all have visions of Lucas starring in – and at times carrying – The Socceroos in Germany. There aren’t many players who could give away the penalty, justly or not, which eliminates their team from the world cup, and still walk away as the hero. David Beckham in 98 the prime example. Yet Lucas is the face, and now the captain of the national team.
How could he possibly give up the glory of an elite team for a club staring at games against teams such as the revered Plymouth Argyle, playing at venues with distinguishing names such as ‘Turf Moor’?
What casual fans haven’t noted is the six months since, which haven’t been so kind. Neill has garnered himself a reputation as a hard man, often careless, intermittently reckless, frequently giving away penalties. While the Australian media is questioning Neill’s judgment, the English media are questioning West Ham’s. “Egg on the face for the Hammers� is one of the headlines.
Perhaps Lucas isn’t as good as we think.
Put yourself in the shoes of Neill. Liverpool is glamourous, sure, but potentially cavernous. Is there any glory in winning an FA Cup or Champions League in a tracksuit? (Does anybody remember that Mark Bosnich picked up two championship titles at Man United?). At Blackburn he was a big fish in a small pond. West Ham is the same, but for more than triple the money.
His time at the Hammers can go two ways. If West Ham survives the drop, sure, he’s still at a middle of the road club, but playing regular first team football and getting a bucketload. If they finish in the bottom three, he’s a free man again. Perhaps that Reds jumper is only a few months away.
It’s not a time for panic. His career is not over.
Not until he goes to America.
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I can’t remember the exact context of how it came about, but during the interview Neil was asked something about the contract amount and could he have gotten more elsewhere and his reply was something like “I wish!”
Is he kidding us, he will be earning more in one week than the majority of people slog it out for in one year.