Today West Ham’s official Twitter account sent out a video link to vote for November’s top five goals. Sadly, the first team did not quite manage to score the impressive tally of five last month— we only scored four. Most of the selected “top five” were youth team goals. In other news, the phrase “scraping the bottom of the barrel” has been helpfully re-defined.
Given the above, and our less-than-stellar league position, it would be safe to say it’s a good time to start considering getting a striker in during the January window to help us out (and if we get someone, we could also try actually giving him some playing time. Reckless, I know.)
One of the players we’ve been linked to of late is former Rangers and current Everton striker Nikica Jelavic. He’s a rather tall and solid striker and at 6’2 might provide an adequate stand in for the still-injured and still-tall Andy Carroll.
This is not the first time we’ve approached Jelavic— reportedly, we had a bid for him turned down in January 2012, when he went to Everton instead. At that time, he scored an incredible nine goals in his first seven games for Everton (Metro.co.uk.) If he could replicate that type of proficiency for the Hammers in January, our season would completely turn around.
There is – of course – a catch.
Unfortunately, since those first seven games at Everton nearly two years ago, he’s only scored another ten goals total (in all competitions.)
Although Everton are flying high at the moment, Jelavic has not had a major role to play in their current success; he hasn’t scored yet this season for the Toffees, and has only participated in seven games (none of them for 90 minutes.)
He could definitely provide some strength and opportunity up front, but who am I kidding – I don’t mind who, where, what we are linked with as long as it’s someone – anyone – who can score enough goals to keep us from playing Leyton Orient in the league next year. I’d put Satan himself up front if it would guarantee us safety from relegation.
Jelavic could be the answer to our prayers, but we have to be certain of that if we aggressively pursue him. We took a huge risk on Andy Carroll this summer and we cannot afford to take another risk; we have to sign someone who can complete the task of getting the ball in the net on regular occasions, and someone who can demonstrate a clear understanding of the offside rule (and possibly explain it to Kevin Nolan.)
What do you think? Would Jelavic be an asset to our squad, or is he past his best? If not Jelavic, who would you (realistically) sign in January to save the day?
Let me know below or tweet me @makingthemarrow
no he wouldn’t. we need to get the cheque book out and get fox i the box jordan rhodes. This kid knows how to score goals and with everton, saints and villa all looking at him something has got to be right. Forest are reported to be preparing an £8m bid for him so i think we gotta beat them yo iy and then dump allardyce
Defoe there’s only one Defoe there’s only one Defoe !
much as I dislike the little twat we need goals and he can score them if its possible sam should move heaven and earth to get him
I can’t imagine this will be a popular suggestion but I think I’d prefer Arouna Kone. He showed glimpses of a great player in the making last season and has disappeared in the shadow of Lukaku (who wouldn’t?) this season. I don’t know if he’s injured but he hasn’t even made the bench recently. I’m not saying he should be the main target and/or only signing but I think he’s worth a punt and wouldn’t command a huge transfer fee or ridiculous wages. I am 110% sure he’d be infinitely better than Maiga, he’s strong, quick, somewhat unpredictable and can score goals at this level as he showed at Wigan. Thoughts?
Kone is out for the season injured
Great, let’s get him then !
In that case we should buy, on the off chance he comes back in may. then he gets injured again. does this ring a bell!!!!
defo not,first of id clear out starting with petric,taylor and diarra,then have a look at our wingers,its all good jarvis head down running straight down the wing to byline and crossing but he has to do more.i would look to get mcgeady in from sparta moscow out of contract this year and training with there kids,everton want him so lets get in there first,think he has more to offer going forward,next up id try and get in D. Cvitanich from Nice good finisher and a realistic target plus lets see if westbrom are still willing to let long go for 5 mill
We do not need another donkey,jelly is not a prem class striker.When we approached rangers,i asked a rangers fan if jelly was any good.His reply was-if he was as good as his ego thought he was,then he would be a world class striker.I agree with phils comments or at least save what cash we have and give it to the next manager,no point in wasting money on below average players and expect somebody else to keep us up with no more cash to spend.slaven bilic would be my choice and give him money to spend.
I think the main stumbling block here is that we don’t have any money…..otherwise we would have spent it in the close season. Look at how much teams like Southampton have spent (about £15m on Osvaldo) and even Palace brought in around 36 players. I reckon that lad Chamakh looks good – we should go for him !!!!!!!!!
Defoe all day long, id also take a punt at a very affordable I suspect.. shaun malony at wigan, he is a great little finisher, hard worker, intelligent player oh and he scores free kicks which would be nice to see!!!
He’s too slow and didn’t want to come here 2 years ago….so pass on him please….plus he’s not that good…..relegation buy if he came.
Talk of Diego Milito, but he is very injury prone and thirty four years of age. Would prefer Jelavic, Rhodes, or Conner Wickham.
replace a nobody with another nobody
Get Gomis from Lyon. He is a real beast with an eye for goal. He wants to come to England and play. Why not with us? He and Andy Carroll would be much better than Nolan and Carroll!
Gomis is irregular, he has consistency problems. On a good day he can drive defenders nuts. But he doesn’t have too many of those good days. Has only scored a total of 5 up to now. Probably why he isn’t in the starting line up for France either. Did score a total of 20 + goals in 2011 and 2012 however…
He would be better than what we have, surely. Would he be THE saviour ? Maybe not.
I wouldn’t want a shilling given to a clown at transfer time in Jan, so first things first get the clown out and give the new coach the transfer money before its too late and we have grant situation once again.
Bring Zamora back and/or Shane Long.