Time for West Ham to finally replace Julian Dicks

So, another transfer window, and another search for a new left-back to sign is in full swing for West Ham. Names such as Marcos Alonso, Emanuel Insua, Aaron Cresswell and Timothee Kolodziejczak (some with very long names) have been heavily linked with the club.

This is a familiar story for West Ham fans. Rewind to the previous transfer window, and the Hammers were again desperately searching for a left-back to replace the disappointing Razvan Rat – who was released from his contract mid way through last season – after only signing the previous summer. Pablo Armero then came in on loan but only played a handful of matches before leaving.

George McCartney had done a good job in that position when called upon during the last three seasons, but his game time was restricted by age and lots of injury problems, and has since been one of the players released from the squad this summer. At many points during those last three seasons under Sam Allardyce, aside from the brief appearances from Rat and Armero, the left-back slot had to be filled with players playing out of their usual position, such as Joey O’Brien and Matthew Taylor.

It seems incredible that the club have failed to find a consistent figure for that particular position for such a long period of time. Whilst there have been changes in all positions in the team over the years, none have had the problems of consistency as the left-back slot. Certainly in both central defence and at right-back, West Ham haven’t required any drastic changes for a while now.

This problem is nothing new. You go back even further and there was Herita Ilunga, who played well in his first season, the 2008-2009 campaign under Gianfranco Zola, but then faded, before eventually going out on loan to Doncaster Rovers before his release. Wayne Bridge was drafted in on loan in 2011 and failed to make much of an impression in his half season at the club, at the end of which the Hammers were relegated.

Previous to this was George McCartney in his first spell at West Ham, who did a reliable job, but was sold too soon in a deal which led to the resignation of then boss Alan Curbishley. Before McCartney came to take his place, West Ham had Paul Konchesky to fill the role who, like many others listed here, had a good first season, before his performances faltered and was moved on.

So why is it West Ham cannot seem to find a long term solution to their left-back woes, probably since the days of Julian Dicks? Why are they in this situation pretty much every transfer window, of having to search for a new left back? Have West Ham simply been unlucky with the left backs they have signed over the years, or maybe they are just cursed in that position?!

And do you think any of the left-backs West Ham are being linked with this summer can finally provide the long-term answer?

Let me know your thoughts.