Whoever is in charge at Upton Park will have a big job on their hands over the January transfer window, trying to make astute signings to maintain the Hammers’ presence in the Premier League. Here are five moves they should make to ensure a slightly less dour New Year for the east London outfit.
Don’t Panic!
The last thing West Ham need right now is some knee-jerk signings. There seemed to be a knee-jerk, hasty managerial appointment in the summer, and look where that has left the Hammers. So when looking to dip into their pockets over January, David Gold and David Sullivan will have to be far more astute than they have been thus far.
Shrewd Selling
As well as having to make some smart signings, West Ham will also need to free up the cash to make these purchases, and, with this, comes responsibility. The club needs to assess several things. They don’t want to disrupt the side too much, but on the other hand, there needs to be new life bled into the team. They also want to get rid of players who are disruptive or unhappy, but try to placate and appease those players who are vital to the side. Striking a balance is vital if West Ham are going to make any headway in the New Year.
Loan signings
Unfortunately for West Ham, with the predicament they are currently in, it is a case of papering over the cracks for the short term, and thinking about the team’s inherent shortcomings over the summer. Loan signings would be a perfect way to try and redress the balance.
Keep Scott Parker
Having recently been known as such things as ‘Scott Parker United’, West Ham must retain the services of their top scorer, Captain and general all round deity, to stand any chance of staying up. With suitors reportedly including Spurs and Liverpool, West Ham must keep hold of Parker to ensure cohesion within their team and a driving force on the pitch.
Buy a Prolific Striker
Buying a striker will always be a gamble, especially for a team down the bottom of the table, but West Ham desperately need someone who can score goals regularly. When a team’s top scorer is their supposedly ‘defensive’ midfielder, questions need to be asked of the strike-force. Carlton Cole and Frederic Piquionne are both very decent at holding play up on their days, but finding the net is something of a novelty, and for all Victor Obinna’s good play and endeavour, he has similar problems. I also don’t think the recall of Freddie Sears from Scunthorpe will rectify the situation either, and whether the signing is a loan or not, West Ham need a goal-scorer.
