Some may have been frustrated by West Ham’s transfer activity over the summer but I’m not one of them. A whole host of names arrived at Upton Park that certainly improved on the individuals that left and it’s fair to say that Sam Allardyce and the owners have put together a squad that is good enough to compete in the Premier League.
With the exception of goalkeepers Stephen Henderson and Raphael Spiegel, who are yet to make an impact and probably won’t this season, and Yossi Benayoun who is someone we know a lot about, here is a look at how I think West Ham’s summer acquisitions have graded in their first few weeks.
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Jussi Jaaskelainen – C
When Rob ‘greedy’ Green decided that QPR would be his new home, rejecting a profitable new deal at Upton Park, a top flight goalkeeper was going to be a priority in the transfer window. Despite being relegated and not featuring much for Bolton Wanderers last season, Jaaskelainen was quickly snapped up on a free transfer by Big Sam and thrown straight in between the sticks.
A comfortable opening day clean sheet against a poor Villa side and a decent shot stopping display against Fulham sandwiched a bad day at the office for the Finnish ‘keeper at Swansea. A pathetic own goal was followed by being sold short by James Collins which saw the Hammers 2-0 down and out of the game in the first half. Defensive and goalkeeping errors cost West Ham any points in South Wales but I am putting that down as a blip for Jussi and I’m confident he can step up to the plate this season.
George McCartney – B
We know all we need to know about G Mac from his time at the club last season and in years gone by and I’m not ashamed to admit I am probably his number one fan! Doesn’t hog the limelight, goes about his business professionally and rarely, very rarely, has a bad game.
Unfortunately for McCartney he had his annual bad game against Swansea City, like many other Hammers and so this dents his early season fine form. Some say he lacks pace, but he makes up for that in reading the game, positioning and commitment. A top left back in my opinion.
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James Collins – B
Arguably two man of the match performances at Upton Park after a few years away have settled Ginger Pele back into the side wonderfully but once again that blip away at Swansea cannot be forgotten.
Immense in the air and surprisingly delicate on the ground, not many forwards will get a lot of out West Ham’s defence this season and Allardyce has built a solid back 4-5 that is key in the Premier League. A solid start for Collins and if he irradiates silly mistakes he can be one of our best defenders for years.
Alou Diarra – D
It is tough to grade the French international as he hasn’t featured a great deal for the Hammers during the first three games. He did however star in the Capital One Cup victory and when he has come on he looks as solid as expected. I think the Diarra signing was a spur of the moment decision from the board, seeing a quality player available for a good price, but I think he will find it tough to break into the current West Ham midfield.
Mohamed Diame – A+
For me, undoubtedly our best signing and one of the Premier League’s best signings in the summer window considering he didn’t cost a penny, transfer fee wise. The value for money on Diame is unreal, his box to box ethic is a breath of fresh air and his composure on the ball as well as tough tackling off of it is a pleasure to watch.
Wigan’s loss is definitely West Ham’s gain and alongside Mark Noble in the centre of midfield, the Hammers look very strong and competitive, with the best still to come. Good work Big Sam. Diame Army!
Matt Jarvis – B
Unfortunately we have only seen Matt Jarvis once for West Ham since his £10million record move but he has already done more than our previous record signing (Feed to Sav and he will…). His width and pace is something we have been crying out for since the loss of Matthew Etherington to Stoke City and with superb crossing ability with either foot he is certainly a top signing.
Injury ruled him out against Fulham, where his deputy Matt Taylor shone, but Jarvis should return for the trip to Norwich City where we can hopefully see a better away performance from the team and if you keep giving Jarvis the ball, he will do something with it.
Modibo Maiga – D
Similarly to Diarra, we haven’t seen much of Maiga so far this season, just a Capital One Cup run out and the odd substitute appearance but the lad has definitely got talent. He could have made an instant impact against Aston Villa only to see his simple chance cleared off the line, but it seems Maiga will have to put away any chances he gets if he is going to impress Big Sam.
Maiga will need a bit of time to settle in, but being behind Cartlon Cole (somehow) and a certain on-loan striker in the pecking order may mean he is simply going to be another Nicky Maynard or Sam Baldock.
Andy Carroll – A
It took Carroll just two minutes to show why he can be a massive signing for West Ham, helping set up the opener against Fulham and despite his injury he was superb last week. The style of football that West Ham play, which isn’t particularly long ball, simply counter attacking, with diagonal balls for midfielders to play off of, suits Carroll down to the ground and I couldn’t think of a better option for what West Ham need up front. Hopefully Carroll can teach Cole a thing or two about being a centre forward and holding the ball up, but I haven’t seen the impact of one player have such an effect on a team in a long while and if this deal can become permanent, who knows just how far West Ham and Carroll could go?
Disagree? Let me know who has been the best signing so far and what grades you would give?
Twitter @Brad_Pinard
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I absolutely agree with everything you have said but I have a good feeling about West Ham this season.
Good Luck Hammers’