Two in means two out at Upton Park?

After a sluggish start to the January transfer window, West Ham finally made two key loan signings in their bid to escape the drop from the Barclays Premier League.

Striker Marco Borriello arrives from Roma to significantly bolster the forward line while Antonio Nocerino joins from AC Milan to add some creativity in the Hammers midfield.

Both Italy internationals are two quality signings that come with pedigree and a vast amount of experience having played for some of the biggest clubs in the world. There will be the usual question marks over Italians signing for a Premier League club, such as whether they can adapt to the pace of the English game and the change of culture?

Yet perhaps most intriguingly, it’s how manager Sam Allardyce will fit them in a side fighting knee-deep in a relegation battle and the impact it will have on those already at the club.

Will Big Sam choose to play Borriello as a partner for Andy Carroll, or as a forward-thinking midfielder playing in the hole behind the former Newcastle United and Liverpool man? Whichever way Allardyce looks to play it, it’s going to have a big impact on a player he has stuck by through thick and thin over the last couple of seasons; club captain Kevin Nolan.

This could perhaps be the final nail in the coffin for Nolan’s Hammers career. Supporters of the skipper among West Ham fans are few and far between and much like our relationship with Allardyce – happy to accept his style of football while we’re winning – a number have felt his place in the side was only ever warranted when he was scoring goals.

The fact goals have now dried up, coupled with sending offs at Liverpool and Fulham before Christmas leaves Nolan in a vulnerable position following the signing of Borriello.

Nocerino will no doubt provide some added competition in the West Ham midfield as well as some goals and attacking threat, something sorely missing during this troublesome campaign.

With Nocerino to add to the likes of Mark Noble, Mohamed Diame, Ravel Morrison, Matt Taylor, Jack Collison, Nolan, Alou Diarra, Stewart Downing, Matt Jarvis and Joe Cole, question marks will now be raised about the future of some of those midfielders.

Diarra hasn’t hidden his feelings about wanting to leave the club, so it’s not inconceivable that he will find a move away before the month is out, but has Nocerino’s signing opened the way for Morrison to exit Upton Park?

A falling out with Allardyce, a dip in form after a bright start and rumours of a move to Fulham will only pour fuel on the speculation before the end of January.

The former Manchester United midfielder is a class act with a bright future ahead and if he can get through this tough period and show his loyalty to the club and its fans, he could well be a hero at the Boleyn. But if the rumours are true and his head has been turned by interest elsewhere, Big Sam might feel now is the time to cash in to free up further funds to sign another striker and Manchester City’s Joleon Lescott.

Whatever happens, it’s going to be an interesting last few days of the transfer window, which could play a significant part in West Ham’s hopes of staying up.

Strap yourselves in for another bumpy ride.