With a dismal end to this season on the horizon I find myself doing something I really hate to do, reflect on what could have been! Granted, all is not lost and promotion is still a possibility, but if you are anything like me you will be very disappointed with a Playoff Final win.
It’s been banded about recently by the likes of TalkSport that West Ham are above their station, believing they are much better than they are. I disagree with that (Yes I know I just mentioned I’d be annoyed with a Play Off win). With the finances our club has, the squad list on offer and the facilities with which to carry out their jobs, and a shortlisted England manager we are highly under achieving.
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As we crawl to Wembley, I have started pondering why the transfer window failed to deliver the players needed to make that Carlos Tevez of a Championship difference, and in specific… Where did we miss out?
I firmly believe we have too many strikers. Over loading on strikers has acted as a disadvantage, with a lack of stability, each striker not feeling confident they will play each week. Tactically, are they going to be running on to flick ons from out wide, will they have the ball to feet?? He also panicked with central defenders when we lost Winston Reid. I am a firm believer that we should have a core XI with young, up and coming players pushing their way into the team.
So where did we miss out? (hear me out before judging)
El Hadj Diouf – Like him or hate him (hate him) Mr Diouf came back to terrorise us in a very average Doncaster team last month. He was arguably the most dangerous player on the pitch and had the ruthless streak we have lacked all season. To rub salt in the wound, he was training with us but we turned him down due to a perceived bad blood with the West Ham fans.
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Adam Hammill – The tricky winger has actually terrorised our defence twice in just over a year. First was back in January 2011 when Barnsley came to the Boleyn for an FA Cup tie, although they lost, he was their best player hitting the post and bar. He also picked up an assist for Middlesborough in the 1-1 draw two weeks back. He has pace, he has a fantastic delivery and can shoot on site.
Marvin Sordell – With our lack of width and pace obvious, Marvin Sordell would have been the ideal signing. Our offer was rejected and we were asked to improve it, we did not, instead spending elsewhere. Bolton secured his signature on deadline day. Frustratingly he has been used sparingly this season.
One thing worth noting is that these players aren’t of the caliber to single handedly transfer our fortunes, HOWEVER, they would provide us with the attributes necessary to finish off teams. With balance in mind, I find it very tough to understand quite why we focused our attentions on strikers as opposed to players with the correct skill set to ADD to the team.
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We should of gone for Jason Roberts who has helped Reading gain promotion.
You can look at who we haven’t signed. But I firmly believe that paying £700,000 for Ricardo Vaz Te has to be the best signing we’ve made for years (value for money wise) he has everything – pace, skill, finishing, aerial prowess and would be playing in the premier league now were it not that a persistent injury had injured him out of the Bolton first XI.
However we also boast the worst signing of the season. I’ll give you a clue, he made less than fifteen touches n our last home game and cost more than the three players mentioned in the article combined?
Hi guys, off topic; have any of you seen Reading’s last 6 games? Anyone thinking they will not drop points needs their heads looking at. They have leeds next weekend and they even play Southampton, brighton and birmingham away tough tough games!! or am i just dreaming??