This could be, as it always is, a vitally important summer for West Ham United and the overhaul that could be attempted could make or break our season for the coming year.
With the Hammers win over Wigan Athletic last weekend, we entered the top half of the table for the first time since mid December. The New Year has been a nervy time for many fans, simply because we were always looking over our shoulders. The paranoia was rising, even giving way for ome fans to call for the resignation of Sam Allardyce. Four months on and we are hitting form just at the right time of the year, and leading a charge for 10th, possibly even 9th place. However, will there be a mass overhaul of the squad in the summer.
If I was to point out one area of the squad that could need extensive work is in the strikers. Andy Carroll has a vast amount of uncertainty surrounding his future, despite his brilliant performances. Chamakh and Paulista are sure to return to their respective clubs in the summer and Maiga has featured rarely since his goal against Chelsea in early December. That brings me on to Carlton Cole. Cole has divided opinion throughout his seven years at Upton Park. Nevertheless, it seems his time at West Ham United is over having not signed a new contract. Although, my knowledge on the progress of this matter is limited. As is all of our knowledge on the matters that occur behind closed doors. This means that with the highly expected sale of Maiga, the club will be without a recognised striker.
I have already made my feelings clear on Carroll. He is the way forward for West Ham United. His performances of late have been superb and his goals in recent weeks have been pivotal. Without his goals, we could as well be fighting Aston Villa, Wigan and Sunderland to stay in the league. Although, with the financial strains I understand that bringing Carroll to the club permanently may not be feasible. The club will need to reinvest and bring in at least 4 possibly 5 strikers.
The midfield is perfectly sound. Noble and Nolan, despite their varying form are vital. Diame has been a forceful, energetic power to have in the middle, bolting past defenses and feeding strikers. Not to forget the goals that he has picked up along the way. Matt Jarvis is improving weekly and his performances are starting to pay off the large sum that was paid for him in the summer. Vaz Te and Joe Cole have been sharing the right wing berth and both have their own attributes that give the side a creative edge. Whether it is through Vaz Te’s pace or Joe Cole’s intelligence. Jack Collison isn’t playing enough in my opinion; especially with the qualities that he offers the squad and Gary O’Neil’s performances of late have been inspiring. The midfield is fine as it is and not to forget the return of Ravel Morrison.
I am perfectly happy with our defense but at times we have been weak and some genuine quality brought in to offer competition could enhance the squad. Reid, Collins, O’Brien and Demel have been solid and have put their bodies on the line for the side. Although, if there was quality brought in this would add to the hard working attributes of these defenders. Not to forget the efforts of Tomkins and Jussi.
I would like the attack to take a rather radical overhaul, however the squad is performing at a high level and I feel that we can pick up more targets next year if we build on this season.
Carlton please go Taylor please go plus 3/4 fringe players bring in some quality finishers and pace. Sam knows how to defend (arsenal away apart) we need attacking clinical players , Remy being one to break the bank for ( could be the next Henry)
We don’t want or need any mercenary that the twitcher signed for QPR. He is a crook and they are after the cash … or need a supply of brown envelopes . QPR will go broke just like all the other teams the crook has been involved with .
yes I want the best players yes I want carroll to stay but I think if you cant get the best you need youth to come through maybe we can buy some players but you have to look at the money we have a couple of seasons till we move to the Olympic stadium we will realy need to sell of the dog shit and move on .
The swap deal involving carroll and diame sounds good to me as much as I wouldn’t relish loosing diame have read today that huddleston is looking to leave spurs. That would not be a bad replacement and also bring in remy if possible.
Get Remy from QPR, Lambert from Southampton & Crouch from stoke for starters. Like u say, Carroll may not be possible due to financial implications so we have to look elsewhere.
I’d go for Rhodes, the man is a proven goal scorer. In midfield we need an enforcer someone like leroy fer who almost joined Everton.
Look at the players who are available on a free at end of the season, Lampard? Rio?
We need two goal scorers, a keeper and a couple of class wing backs to help Jarvis and vaz. Sam needs to look at the facts and get someone in who tops those lists
I’d actually make a serious bid for Thomas inve thinking about it. I know he is the judas son, but the boy can play, and I reckon he would come to prove the doubters wrong, great English prospect from let’s face it, a great father figure.
18 goals and 20+ assists from a forward winger
There really are some idiots on here – first up, whoever thinks Huddlestone, the Tottenham tub of lard,is a replacement for Diame, really just doesn’t watch football.Likewise, Peter Crouch – even with Stoke’s hoof it and hope, plus the odd cross from Matty E, he has failed this season. I hope we can keep Carroll ( and that he wants to stay, that his form of late isn’t just a “buy me” invite to one and all) – we must keep Diame, his pace is vital to midfield particularly if donkey Nolan is going to stay in the team.
On the players to go – Carlton Cole hasn’t put a foot wrong in 2 seasons – this term he hasn’t had a fair crack at it, has no support when he does get in, yet for the period around Christmas when AC ( who let’s face it has hardly been banging in the goals either) Cole did a fine job leading the line – he loves the club, loyalty beyond most apart from the homegrown boys, his wages will be a damn sight less than Remy who if we keep AC will not be affordable – what we do need is a smaller man of class to play off AC or CC
i think u huge clear out is needed !! first of all nolan is killin me so so poor its unreal diame is killin himself out that covering for him, nolan cant pass can barly shoot and spends all game moaning at the refs giving the ball away and giving away free kicks , i would sign o neil up keep him as a squad member think its gonna be hard for noble to get bk in the team with him playin so well demel needs to go vas ta is not prem standard collison and joe cole prob only get you 15 -20 games each a season plus c cole is out of contract also. diame is a must keep i would rather him then carrol all day long . but its all good being linked or u lot keep sayin remy but how is remy gonna be able to suit long ball? or if he comes get played out on the right? sam will reck any player that comes to us or freeze him out cuz they cant adapt to long ball my eyes need lb,rb,cb,rm,lm.. at least 2 central mids both attacking plus 2 strikers but like i said its all good being linked to good players but how would they suit long ball
I do NOT want Jussi as our GK.
STRIKER(s) NEEDED. NEW GK. COME ON YOU IRONS !!!
you dont want jussi,hes been superb all year n still a top player,probably player of the season so give your sunglasses a clean n try n watch the game a bit closer cos you really are missing out,,,lol
So quickly people forget the fact that we wouldn’t even be in this league without a certain Carlton Cole. A goal and vital assist at Wembley assured our passage back into the big time. Never given a change or service as the isolated lone striker. He gets once chance a match, and if he misses it, esteemed fans are calling for his head. He would make a decent squad player, but surely not in this formation.
And exactly how many clean sheets does Jussi need to garner respect?