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Brain v Brawn

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It’s the time of year when the Hammers are in and out of the tabloids more than an old past-it pop-star is in and out of rehab (and just as painful). As soon as the transfer windows open, the names flood in, from the audacious to the downright awful. Every day a new name is added to the list.


The question is; what sort of player do we need? Do we need some more muscular and physical players to cope with the strains of the Premier League, or do we need some intelligent players, who will create chances out of nothing and can make the difference between a mid-table team and a competition winning team?

Sam Allardyce likes players who are able to cope with the physicality of the Premier League, which would suggest that during the summer, Sam will stock up on big, muscular players for next season.

However, during his time at Bolton in particular, Allardyce had players such as Jay-Jay Okocha (so good that they named him twice) and Nicolas Anelka, two players who do not come under the muscular category. So we could see an Okocha type player making a move to East London thissummer, or Anelka, not an Anelka-type player, the real Anelka…let’s hope not.

What Allardyce needs to do, is identify which type of player we most desperately need. There are cases for both; Brawn: One player which we lack is an anchor man in midfield. If you look at all the successful teams in the world, each have a player who sits in the middle of the park and wins the ball, then plays a short pass to more creative players. For Barcelona, it is Sergio Busquets, (even though Busquets is

almost as good a passer as the likes of Xavi and Iniesta) for Manchester City, it is often Nigel de Jong, Gareth Barry or even Yaya Toure. This type of player, also known as the “water carrier”, is almost essential in the modern game and if the Hammers are to compete next season, Allardyce would be wise to invest in an enforcer in the middle of the park.

Another position that could use strengthening, both in numbers and literally, is the centre back position. With only James Tomkins and Winston Reid offering quality in the middle of defence, Allardyce may look to add defenders to the current squad ahead of the coming season in the Premier League. Moreover,

we are also lacking in depth in the left and right back position, with only the injury prone Guy Demel offering his services at right back.

Brains; The last time the Hammers had a true playmaker creating goals and putting smiles on the faces at Upton Park was Yossi Benayoun, who has been linked with a romantic move back to Upton Park. The Hammers lack in players who have the ability to create chances and have the ability to roam freely looking for the ball. David Silva is a player that epitomises this type of player, along with players such as Luka Modric and abroad, the likes of Ozil and Wesley Sneijder work their magic on the

biggest stage of club football. It is becoming more important in the modern football to have at least one playmaker in the side, whether they are a deep-lying playmaker or a more attacking playmaker.

Perhaps the Hammers may make a move for Peter Whittingham, who caused havoc last season in the Championship for Cardiff City, or a more attacking playmaker that can play either out wide or centrally.

Moreover, the Hammers are short on wide players, with only Matty Taylor (and Vaz Te, although it is debatable as to whether he is a striker or a winger and in my personal opinion, he is more useful as a central striker, who can cut in from the left) offering a real outlet out wide. With the slightly light-weight Barrera returning after a season against the likes of Marcelo, Dani Alves and Sergio Ramos in La Liga, perhaps the Mexican winger, who arrived at West Ham after a very successful World Cup

campaign, could shine for the Hammers next season. Nevertheless, it would be very surprising and foolish of Sam not to invest in some players who can accelerate down the flanks at Upton Park, providing the crosses for the likes of Vaz Te and Cole.

Where should we strengthen? Should we buy more physical players or some intelligent players?

Who would you sign? Tweet me @TollyCoburn

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