Roeder Must Go For Tihinen

Last updated : 02 April 2002 By Mike Reich
Tihinen: Quality defender
When Harry Redknapp had Hannu Tihinen over at Upton Park on loan last year, there was much greater resolve in the West Ham defence. Indeed, it was partly due to the Finns defending that the Hammers secured an historic victory over Manchester United in the FA Cup last season.

However, Redknapp decided that the £3m-£4m requested for the player was too much, so he purchased players like Rigobert Song and Titi Camara instead. Hammers fans were calling for him to be signed, and were extremely disappointed to let him go.

Now he has less than a year left on his contract (it runs out at the end of December this year), and his current club Viking will be looking to get some sort of fee for him - even it is lower than theyu would have liked.

There are other top European club's hunting his signature though, but with the player himself having admittedly enjoyed his time in the Premiership, West Ham may have the slight edge.

Anderlecht have registered their interest apparently, according to Viking's director, Bjarne Bernsten, but no bid has yet been made.

Glenn Roeder will be looking for more defenders in the summer, and Hannu Tihinen is a top class player who would like to come to England. It would be a great shame to lose out on his signature once more.