New West Ham captain Neill determined to silence doubters
tribalfooball.com - July 27, 2007
Lucas Neill is determined to fulfil expectations after being named new West Ham United captain yesterday. Australia international Neill was criticised after his January decision to walk out on Blackburn and turn down the chance of European glory with Liverpool for a reported £70,000-a-week salary with the relegation-strugglers.
To make matters worse the defender was injured in his first match for the Hammers, missed three of the next four games and looked like sliding into the Coca-Cola Championship until their miraculous late escape.
But manager Alan Curbishley, who attacked the 'Baby Bentley', rich-kid culture among top players when he took over at Upton Park just before Christmas, has named Neill as his new captain.
tribalfootball.com - New West Ham captain Neill determined to silence doubters