Caulfield aims to push on
WEST HAM v MAN CITY
JOHN Caulfield is urging his Galway United side to remain focused on their First Division title target as the season enters the home straight.
Wexford visit Deacy Park tonight (7.45) with the hosts trailing leaders Cork City by a point, although the Leesiders have a game in hand.
“We are on a good run of form but we know we have to be at our best to win the game,” said Caulfield, whose side hammered Bluebell United 7-0 in the FAI Cup last week.
Fantastic
“But Wexford also had a fantastic win in Sligo in the cup.”
Cork host bottom side Athlone Town at Turner’s Cross (7.45) with Aaron Connolly banned for Town.
Fifth-placed Treaty United — occupying the final play-off slot and glancing nervously over their shoulders at Wexford — welcome Waterford to Market’s Field (7.45).
The Londoners slapped a huge €175m price tag on their club captain to keep him out of Chelsea and Manchester United’s range in the transfer window.
But Cottee, who scored 117 goals in 255 appearances for West Ham in the 1980s, believes this season will be Rice’s last in claret and blue and expects the England midfielder to leave next summer.
Stamped
He said: “West Ham have done well to keep Declan this season. It was important that they stamped their authority and put a ridiculous price tag on his head.
“If you don’t pay £120m (€140m) for Harry Kane, you are not going to pay £150 (€175m) for Declan. But the further into his contract he is, the cheaper he will be.
“This time next year, you might be able to pick him up for £90m (€105m) or £100m (€120m), which is
“Name any club in Europe, he is good enough to play there.
Worst
“I hope West Ham can keep him but I fear the worst, as all West Ham fans do.
“The only way they can potentially keep him is for West Ham to get into the Champions League for next season, and I think that could be a step too far for them this year.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if, in a year’s time, he’ll be lining up for his new club.
“West Ham fans will wish him well because he’s given his heart for the club and he wants to win something. And when he goes to the England squad and talks to the Man City or Liverpool boys, and they’re talking
After leaving Manchester United as a free agent, Lingard snubbed West Ham to take up a more lucrative offer from promoted Nottingham Forest.
Risk
And Cottee, speaking to BETDAQ, added: “It’s a good signing for Forest.
“But for West Ham to have broken their pay structure for a 29-year-old who hasn’t really played too much football in the last couple of years, I think it would have been a risk.”