The FIVE Players Big Sam should have signed

With the transfer window now closed, West Ham United brought in twelve new faces to the club. With the amount of rumours that were circulated around, we could have been talking about a lot more than twelve.

All the new players will no doubt look to help the Hammers bounce right back up to the Premier League. The loan signings of Arsenal’s Henri Lansbury, Spurs midfielder David Bentley, and right back Guy Demel are major coups for the Hammers. I have looked over the comings and goings of the club, and thought about a few more names I personally would have liked to see in a West Ham kit at the end of this window. This is my “what if” game every supporter plays during the transfer window. I have picked five realistic (key word in this sentence) targets I would have taken a run at if I was big Sam. 

The first player I would have chased would have been a winger who has always been a bit of a thorn in West Ham’s side. West ham were never really linked to this player, and he has already moved during the window to Bolton. Chris Eagles was at Burnley before making the switch. He is a winger who can help with the attack and has a bit of pace to him. Our attack seems to run with an on and off switch (though it has been decent as of late), and having someone with his skills on the outside would only improve it. He played in the Premier League with Burnley two years ago, and seemed to be the only one that showed up in the 5-3 loss(he had a hand in all 3 of Burnley’s goals) to the Eastenders.

Next, to help the defensive end of the club I would have looked at an old friend, Anton Ferdinand. He was briefly rumoured to be coming back to Upton Park. When Sunderland signed Wes Brown and John O’Shea, Ferdinand seemed like the odd man out. However, Ferdinand has not only started, but played well for Sunderland. He would have been a great add for the central defense which is thin in experience. Don’t get me wrong I like Tomkins, Reid and Faye, but after that who do you have? Fry? I don’t know if I want him plugged into the line-up in this important season. He has now to be moved to QPR, and I’m gutted it’s not the claret and blue part of London the centre back has joined. 

Max Gradel was a main target this window for Sam Allardyce, but it never happened. Another quick winger that has the ability for putting the ball in the net, having proved the ladder last year with Leeds United. He netted 18 league goals last year and would have provided needed quickness and scoring ability. The Ivory Coast International will be taking his talents to Ligue 1 in France, AS Saint-Etienne won the race for Gradel’s signature, despite West Ham making a late push to sign him.  

With the disaster that Herita Ilunga has been at left back, and the lack of depth at the right back position, I would of looked into signing Derby County’s player of the year (last year), John Brayford. He is young, and at 23 years old has already played over 200 league games for the likes of Burton, Crewe Alexandra, and Derby. He is a natural right back, but has filled in on the left side in a pinch. Most of West Ham’s defensive collapses have been on the ends. So why not take a shot at signing Brayford. I didn’t hear any news or rumors involving him, which indicated Derby weren’t listening to offers, or the fee was too high. However, with the obvious weakness, I would’ve been looking to add as much talent at those positions to keep the non-talent off the pitch (cough Ilunga cough).  

Lastly I would have done everything to try and get the signature of Craig Mackail-Smith. He was the 30 goal scorer from Peterborough United who was at one point a major target of the Hammers. He ended up signing with now top of the table Brighton and Hove Albion. He has two goals already and would have made an attack that can disappear at times seem a lot better. I would want to swap out Piquionne for Mackail-Smith at this point. To have Cole, Carew, Bladock, Sears, and Mackail-Smith would have made me feel very confident about scoring goals this season.  

Now I’m not saying I don’t like the moves that have happened, however, these are names I feel could have had an impact at Upton Park. I feel West Ham have the talent to win the Championship division this season and don’t see a reason why they shouldn’t. If you add the names I suggested to the roster, your line-up would look a little like this: 

Green, Brayford, Ferdinand, Tompkins, McCartney, Taylor, Nolan, Noble, Eagles, Cole, Mackail-Smith

Subs:

Boffin, Grandel, Collison, Reid, Carew/Baldock

This line-up eliminates the need for Illunga, and Piquionne who seem to be on a bad stretch with their play, and still keeps the likes of Sears, O’Brien, and Faye in reserve in case of injury. Again, I’m not against the moves and in all reality am very excited with all the signing,. that have been made and nor do I expect to know more than the club on such issues, but from the troubles this club has had and what seems to be costing this club much needed points in this season in the Championship would be addressed with these five new players. I’m still excited to see what the new faces bring and hope to be celebrating a promotion at the least with this club.

Follow us on Twitter @Forever_WestHam