SOCCER/News: On the day the malevolent streak in Lee Bowyer was confirmed by UEFA's decision to ban him for six matches in Europe for his violent stamp on the head of Malaga's Gerardo in Leeds United's UEFA Cup tie at Elland Road last month, the controversial 26-year-old midfielder made his way south from Leeds and finalised his transfer to West Ham United.
Bowyer was accused of "an act of serious assault" by UEFA, but he was at Upton Park nevertheless last night, putting the finishing touches to a five-month contract. His injured ankle permitting, he will be included in Glenn Roeder's squad for Saturday's match at home to Newcastle United.
West Ham refuse to reveal what they paid Leeds United for his services but it is believed to be about £300,000. As Liverpool were prepared to pay Leeds £9 million for him six months ago, West Ham feel they have a bargain.
Also, a senior figure at the club described reports of a £30,000-a-week wage for Bowyer - and of a £1 million bonus if West Ham stay up - as "nonsense" yesterday.
The length of the contract means Bowyer will be able to reassess his future at the end of the season and decide where to go, if anywhere, from West Ham. Tottenham remain favourites to sign him. He will be available on a Bosman free transfer.
In the meantime, Bowyer will try to ensure West Ham, bottom of the Premiership, are still in the competition come June.
When West Ham signed Bowyer last night, they may have achieved something unique. Buying a player on the day he picked up a six-match ban was unusual enough, but the club surely made history by becoming the first to sit bottom of the Premiership in January with four England midfielders on their book.
Bowyer's West Ham debut will most likely come in a quartet featuring Michael Carrick, Joe Cole and Trevor Sinclair. The last two went to the World Cup, Carrick has played under Sven-Goran Eriksson and Bowyer would surely have more than a single cap but for his court case.
What it will say about West Ham if they go down with such a rich combination, their fans would rather not consider just now. Some feel angry that Bowyer has been given a contract at Upton Park. Others, including Roeder, are overjoyed to have obtained someone who would ordinarily have been beyond their reach.
Bowyer's behaviour has been too despicable at times to make him a likeable character but he could prove a bargain. Relegation would cost West Ham millions.
Roeder, like everyone, waits to see which Bowyer will turn out for West Ham: the talented, hugely energetic midfielder capable of scoring goals and winning challenges, or the thug who stamped on the head of a Malaga player to earn the ban that was handed out yesterday. Bowyer has to show that the two can be separated. Recklessness is something West Ham can do without in their present predicament.
If fear has sometimes hindered West Ham at home this season, that is the last emotion to be expected from Bowyer.
"He is a nice lad and not a madman," said Jermain Defoe, a new team-mate. "He is just aggressive, someone in the middle that can win the ball - and is good going forward as well. Especially in the situation we are in, we need aggressive players in the team and I think Lee will do a good job. When you watch him play and see him going in for 50-50s you can see he is a winner - just what we want."
Guardian Service
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