Sam Allardyce has consistently spoke of his desperate need for a striker in the January transfer window with the likes of Carlton Cole, Sam Baldock and Freddie Piquionne well out of form and unable to find the net for love nor money. At least 10 names have been thrown around in the media as the next centre forward at Upton Park but Big Sam is yet to nail one down ahead of a tough run of fixtures.
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So far in the New Year, West Ham have only managed to bring in the little known George John from FC Dallas on a two month loan deal with a view to a permanent deal. Not many people around Upton Park will come forward and claim to know much about the 24-year-old centre back who is yet to make an international appearance for the USA.
It may not be as glamorous as the Thierry Henry, Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane deals from the MLS to England but it could be just as crucial for the Hammers. Injuries and suspensions have made Allardyce’s squad ridiculously thin of late with the likes of George McCartney having to fill in at central defence at times during a bad run of form at the back end of last month.
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Winston Reid, Abdoulaye Faye and James Tomkins were the only recognised centre backs at the club before John’s arrival, but the bloke with two first names may not be the only defender to arrive in East London this month. Another right back may be necessary if Allardyce cannot find a right midfielder to give Julian Faubert the cover he desires to enable him to permanently move to right back.
If John is not the defender that the West Ham scouting network believe him to be then it may take another centre back to come in also when the two month loan spell ends and the American returns to his native country. First and full most, the club must worry about this season and not long term signings but bringing in Premier League defender would not do a lot of harm at all now and is something I would focus on if I was in the managers’ shoes.
There is no doubt that a striker is now the main focus for Big Sam for the next two weeks however, and the gaffa was extremely blunt about that while appearing on BBC Late Kick Off last night. The likes of Jordan Rhodes, Billy Sharp and Nicky Maynard currently don’t seem likely at all and more recent bids for Jimmy Kebe and Marvin Sordell have also been dismissed so it is back to square one for Allardyce and the owners.
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Is George John really the answer? I don’t know, and neither do you. I would even go so far as to say Sam Allardyce doesn’t know yet. He hasn’t even kicked a bloody ball!
It was more to do with what positions we need to strengthen rather than me judging Mr John!