It’s been a wonderful start to the season, made even more joyous by Saturday’s brilliant victory over last year’s champions, Manchester City. West Ham are a new side; one that is entertaining, determined, and exciting – and this is all down to the brilliant signings made during the summer transfer window.
But whilst that window was one of hyperactivity and several new faces, we may be the quietest club in the league come the January window. ClaretandHugh.com is reporting that West Ham are set to have a very quiet January transfer window, and they are “unlikely to be adding to the current squad” in the January window, unless injuries to players force their hands.
So, is this the right tactic for West Ham to take?
For me, it seems like a perfectly reasonable plan of action. The summer transfer window was a hot bed of activity for West Ham – we brought in Cheikhou Kouyate, Mauro Zarate, Morgan Amalfitano, Diafra Sakho, Diego Poyet, Aaron Cresswell and Enner Valencia on permanent contracts, and managed to attract Barcelona’s Alex Song and Arsenal’s Carl Jenkinson on season long loans. It was arguably our best transfer window in years, and the success we’ve had on the pitch – at the time of writing we are heading into November in fourth place in the league – has been a direct result of this strong transfer activity.
Truthfully, we don’t need to spend much, if anything, in January – unless, of course, the tides turn in two ways.
Firstly, we may need to consider our options when it comes to star defender Winston Reid. Reid is out of contract in the summer, and has up until now failed to agree terms with West Ham to sign a contract extension. If we get to the end of the season without him signing, and he chooses to leave, we’ve lost not only one of our better defenders – but we’ll not have even gotten a penny for him.
If an offer does come in for the New Zealand international in January, and he still has yet to sign a contract, West Ham may need to accept the offer in order to be able to afford to replace him. If this is the case, we will need to see some strong activity in order to bring in a new centre-back.
Secondly, we may be forced into making one or two strengthening signings in case of injury. Even if Reid doesn’t head off in January, it would be good to see some interest in strengthening his position. Reid and fellow centre-backs James Collins and James Tomkins have all done well this season, but last year’s injuries to our defenders around the winter months left us desperately clawing for someone, anyone, to play centre-back (enter Roger Johnson), so I wouldn’t mind us looking out for another resource in that area.
We’re continuing to do well in midfield, and up front, and our depth of squad is providing more than adequate cover for any injuries thus far – the squad played very well in the absence of Kouyate, and will hopefully do so again if we lose Sakho for a period of time.
For once, we’re heading into the winter months comfortable, happy, and with what I thoroughly believe is a nearly full-strength squad. The board and Sam did so well in the summer that we can head into January without a shopping list – I’m surprised too, but I’m thoroughly enjoying this new era, and everything that comes with it.
Would you be okay with a quiet January? Are there still areas of the squad we could strengthen, and is Reid leaving a worry? Let us know below.
I thought I saw a pretty nifty young centre-half score a good goal against Sampadoria pre-season. He started the move in his own half and sprinted on to knock it in at the near post. I thought he’s the kinda guy Sam could use again during the season. (Can’t quite remember his name though). Anybody else coming through the ranks – certainly due somebody!
Short answer YES!
It’s a well known fact that clubs who are “known” to be desperate, always pay over the odds. The supporters don’t need to be told everything or spoon fed and personally I’d like us to do business by stealth (keeping their powder dry) rather than via the back pages.
We’re all aware of squad strengthening and possible departures, but I’m confident that when the window arrives, the best deals possible for this club will be done.
Our dealing over the summer confirmed the new way of doing business because I’m sure we were all surprised by the number of players that the club brought in.
COYI
losing Reid is a real problem, as neither Tomkins nor Collins are of his caliber. WH will need another two CB to cover. WH are scoring a lot of goals, but letting in far more, too.
How about selling AC, that will give WH much needed cash. Throw in KN as a make-weight.
I disagree. Collins is the better defender. But we are low on defence for a full season. We desperately need one more quality CB even if Reid stays.
I think we need another centre half even if Reid stays and we will need cover early next year because of the Africa Nations Cup , when we could lose a couple of our players , so we need a couple of forwards too as Cole and Vaz Te are not up to the new standard we now expect, sell them both after getting in two new forwards, or maybe just one if Carroll is fit and staying..
Midfield is our real strength and we have adequate cover there.
So we need a centre half and two forwards, then watch us go.
COYI Europe here we come.