It has finally happened! West Ham have actually pulled off two signings this transfer window to the relief of everyone connected with the club. No dirty tricks by agents, no player deciding he doesn’t want a switch after all at the last minute, no change of mind by the players parent club, and most importantly no other team coming in to snatch them from the grasps of the Hammers on this occasion.
The first of these to put pen to paper on a loan move to Upton Park was Italian international midfielder Antonio Nocerino, from AC Milan. In theory this should be a good move by Sam Allardyce in the transfer market. At 28 years old the central midfielder has plenty of experience at high-level football.
He has spent the last few seasons playing at AC Milan, including in their champions league campaigns. He has also been selected for Italy in more recent times, with 15 caps to his name. England fans will note that he scored one of the penalties to knock them out of the quarter-finals of Euro 2012.
He would appear to be a box-to-box midfielder, who both helps out both in a defensive mode for his team, as well as being capable of chipping in with some vital goals. His best year for this was the 2011-2012 campaign, where Nocerino notched 10 goals from 33 appearances in Serie A.
This is the type of role Mohamed Diame usually plays in the middle of the park for West Ham, and it was definitely a good idea to find someone else who can compete with Diame for this spot in the side. Most supporters would agree that Diame has been generally poor this campaign in comparison to his efforts last season, and some real competition for his place may get better form out of him, and also provide an option to replace the Senegalese player in the team.
As an individual deemed good enough for the Italian national side not so long ago, one would imagine Nocerino is technically very good, and can keep possession well. This is something West Ham have been dearly lacking this season, and in many games, particularly against the big teams, have spent far too long chasing the ball.
Indeed it is in central midfield that there have been too many players out of form this campaign. Aside from Diame, Kevin Nolan has looked out of sorts, Ravel Morrison has flattered to deceive after a promising start, Alou Diarra wants out and has barely featured, and Jack Collison just hasn’t looked quite good enough in his few appearances. Only Mark Noble has played consistently well in that area of the pitch. So another central midfielder is certainly a welcome acquisition for the club.
Overall, Hammers supporters will hope that Big Sam has pulled out a gem for the club here, in a similar manner to which he brought in and got a great deal out of ageing former footballing greats during his time at Bolton Wanderers, with the likes of Youri Djorkaeff and Jay Jay Okocha.
That being said, it is by no means certain that Nocerino will prove a hit at West Ham. There was a reason AC Milan were willing to loan him, and that was because he has not been a first choice player for them this season, with only a handful of appearances to his name. So whether he is particularly match fit at the moment is doubtful, and it may take some time for the midfielder to settle, especially as he has had no previous experience of Premier League football.
Therefore, the juries still out on this signing – but Nocerino does have a good pedigree, and has in his locker the skills and experience that could help the Hammers in their bid to beat the drop. What do you think about the signing of Nocerino? Is he what West Ham need right now? Did he impress you on his West Ham debut?
For the small time on the pitch he looks quite classy but having come from a more slower tempo on games in Italy but better technically maybe will take a few more games to settle. Anything will be better than Nolan and although Taylor having played well tonight is another now to be replaced. Adrian simply superb tonight and Collins and tomkins were a great double act too. One point unexpected but very welcome. Sam out board out asp.
Are you serious? Taylor was garbage tonight. Gave the ball away WAY too easily on numerous occasions in the second half.
Sam out Sven in! Well done a good well earned point lets hope for 3 points over the weekend and some results to our way and push us up the table
Maybe I’m just getting too old and are spending my twilight years dreaming of a time when supporters just got behind their team and supported them through thick and thin!?! They could also see the wood for the trees and a good performance when they saw one and didn’t let there own agenda’s get in the way of supporting the team they loved! Yeah, more enlightened times! Been supporting the hammers for more years than I care to remember and apart from a few spluttering glimmers in the dark they have been shite for more years than I care to remember! But that’s ok! As this is the team that I love and I will support them to the day I die! So I find these recent times of no patience and near all out blinkered hatred a little hard to fathom! The team is still in deep troubles both on and off the field and I for one believe this is the time when the club needs our support even more! We all like a moan and all have a right to voice our opinions but some of the critism is well over the top, borders on near hysteria and is most certainly in helpful! But oh well what can I do about it? I shall just continue to turn up at the Boleyn at shout my support for my team and my club! Hope to see you all there! COYI!
Well earned point, loved the spirit and fight shown, more of the same for the rest of the season. Am concerned with the injuries to players again last night.