Another transfer deadline has passed and this time West Ham look to be in a far stronger position than they ended the last.
Seven new acquisitions during January have bolstered the squad for the impending relegation battle ahead, although whether they are hit or miss remains to be seen. The Hammers were one of the busiest clubs during the window; probably unsurprising considering the number of injuries and players woefully out of form they were carrying.
Clearly Antonio Nocerino and Marco Borriello, the two Italian internationals, were the standout signings of the window, while Pablo Armero from Napoli also looks a good capture for the defence.
Ex-Manchester City midfielder Abdul Razak also came in as back-up for the injured Mo Diame, while a number of enquiries were made about strikers – as the Hammers did in the summer window – to no avail.
While the majority of fans were pleased to see West Ham active in the market, the jury is out as to whether any of the new players – who were all loan signings it’s important to add – will have a positive impact in the Barclays Premier League.
January is seen by many, apart from football fans, as a difficult time for managers and football club owners. Quite often it’s the teams fighting it out at the bottom of the division that are most active, as was the case in this last window, and signings are generally viewed as being panic buys. The real cause of concern for West Ham fans is Sam Allardyce’s record in the transfer market. Andy Carroll aside, Big Sam has struggled to attract a big name forward to Upton Park, despite a number of assurances from the manager and the club owners that that was our number one priority.
If that wasn’t bad enough in itself, one only has to look at the Hammers recent recruits. Left-back Razvan Rat lasted a measly eight months before being paid up to ship out, while Modibo Maiga was far from the goal machine Big Sam had expected when he shelled out nearly £5 million for him.
Alou Diarra was signed to add steel to the Hammers midfield but has spent more time complaining about life in England and Allardyce as a manager to focus on proving he was a France international. Roger Johnson, bless his heart, tried his best but will be remembered for making his debut in the 6-0 mauling at Manchester City and throwing his shirt into the crowd at the end of the game, only to have it thrown back at him by Hammers fans.
However, there is one ray of hope in the Big Sam transfer history book and it was one viewed by many as being the wrong one at the time: Stewart Downing.
The former Liverpool and Aston Villa winger was a gamble signing, as Allardyce had a budget to spend on a striker as back-up to Carroll but instead opted to go for Downing when he became available. The manager was lambasted for taking that option when it became clear Carroll was going to miss a sizeable chunk of the season with injury, but Downing has proved it was a gamble worth taking.
The England winger has proved a shrewd signing and when the Hammers have had their backs to the wall, he has shown great character in never shying away from getting the ball and running at defenders and has been a real threat on the right hand side all season. There’s little doubt that when both he and Carroll get a good run of games together, the big Geordie will be the one to profit.
So let’s hope Big Sam’s latest recruits follow Downing’s mould and we don’t have another Diarra or Modibo Maiga on our hands.
Yes we have got a goodish squad too good for religation.. The new left back is a blinding player..the two Italians are good signings the midfielder better of the two. R.johnson bless him but not what west ham need. Adrian demel Reid armero noble Carroll downing borriello nocerino. If we can keep three of the loan signings and build a team round these players for next year IF we stay up then we will have a strong but gutsy team. I think goals is what we lack.. Carroll is a good player but not your 25 goal a season man that we so Desprately need. If we can stay up I think ravel has to go.. anything over £13m would be a bonus to help fund for new players. I can’t see us having a good enough team and worthy enough team to compete at our new stadium under big Sam.
The very best of luck Andy in regards;
Andy Carroll: West Ham seek legal route over red card
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26039222
The way I see it, it was Andy, if anyone, who got fouled!!!
Rubbish window. The club is in meltdown and as per usual we never sign any of our intended ” targets”. I think the board try to appease the fans by saying they are going for this and that player when, in truth, they never have any intention of doing so.
Signing a 31 year old loanee who has scored one goal this season isn’t going to solve our goal scoring problems !
We are losing fans by the drove, who have had enough of broken promises and BFS style of ” football”. Championship club in every way except for the fans who are top drawer, and shouldn’t have to put up with this crap season after season.
Lol we have top draw fans that are deserting the club? If we have fans turning their back on the club because of this then they are clearly not good fans and I’m glad to be rid of them. They can go and support Chelsea/united/city with all the other fair weathers whilst us real fans continue to support out club through thick and thin
Even with the FA’s injustice in not overturning the red card that Andy Carroll received against Swansea on Saturday (even Swans manager at the time Michael Laudrupp, thought Andy’s dismissal was harsh. Everyone but the FA thinks it was a complete accident; The FA were obviously swayed at the antics of a grown man acting like a little girl when Andy had hardly even touched him. I mean ffs, why was John Terry not sent off for slapping Andy around the face during the match at Stamford Bridge on 19/01/2014? Andy didn’t roll around like Flores did, but you could tell that John had really hurt Andy, but no, real men just get on with the game. You are a real man Andy. Don’t worry about it son. West Ham will still get those 3 wins in your absence (thanks for giving us the absolute determination to win 3 in a row now FA), we owe Andy that much at least OK? And we will still get at least 5 more wins before the season’s end. Thank you for making our resolve even stronger FA. Does FA stand for F***ing Ar****les? Because that is how they FA are behaving. Absolutely unbelievable), because after winning against Cardiff & Swansea with 10 men, that is very possible. These being versus Crystal Palace, Norwich, Southampton, Hull & Stoke are maybe all that are needed. That may still leave 3 more points required for continued membership of the Premier League, but with West Ham gaining a point at Chelsea on 29/01/14, as well as beating Swansea, that has really helped to ease the pressure a bit. We have away games at Villa & West Brom. If West Ham can get 2-3 more pts from those 2 away games, with the 5 wins mentioned that are all very winnable, then we could be safe after the 3rd last game at West Brom, because away games at Everton & Sunderland look tough, as does the home game v Man Utd, and away at Arsenal. West Ham have already drawn at Chelsea, so who knows, but being realistic, if we can get points from these games mentioned, then we may not need any points against Spurs at home on 3rd May, before our last game of the season at Man City, where we will be odds on to get nothing, so safety can be won before the Spurs game. We are starting to lift our game considerably from how we have been performing, so yes, just 5 more wins & 3 more draws would give us the magic 40pts traditional safety barrier for survival, before our last home game v Spurs. West Ham can be on 40 points, after Sat 26th April, & even if just 1 point is required from the game with Spurs, then WH will be OK, as in reality there are 10 other clubs from 10th place down that are all in this same situation. Of course, if we can win at Villa this Saturday and then win at home to Norwich just 3 days later, then that would leave just 12 points to get from 12 games. C’mon West Ham you can do it!
An ode & thank you to Michael Laudrupp, & yes Michael, you saw that the referee got Andy’s red card wrong on Saturday. Thank you. Swansea – Update Latest 05/05/2014; Swansea have just announced they have dismissed Michael Laudrupp as manager. This club is now on a real downer. I cannot see what sacking Michael is going to achieve. The transfer window has passed. This is Michael’s team, and is now like a ship without a rudder. There is a strong possibility of Swansea now taking Crystal Palace’s place alongside Fulham & Cardiff to be relegated. A bad move by Swansea & a total lack of respect for what Michael has achieved for them. His winning of the League Cup last year, was the 1st time that a Welsh club had won any major honour, and the 1st time that a Welsh club had qualified for the European competition that they are now involved in this season, thank’s to Michael’s guidance. Professional football, you are a whore, alongside the aristocracy of the Football Association who seem to support this sort of behavior. Michael Laudrupp could & can exploit an opponent’s weaknesses. Only if a team was aware of their game plan, could they avoid defeat by a Swansea team under Michael. If the opposing team got their game plan wrong, then Swansea would cash in. When Michael Laudrup was their manager he could exploit an opposing team’s weaknesses. Swansea had spent heavily in the off season, but there is no guarantee that they will get value for money from what they have paid. Swansea is doing well in this season’s Europa league, but have coasted along too much & too close to the middle or bottom half of the Premier League. They are now in trouble & in a relegation dogfight. Them having not released many players in January is proof of their predicament! Thank God West Ham have stability.