It has been a relatively busy transfer window for West Ham.
Contrary to seasons past, the club made moves to complete many of the deals early, meaning the squad is in a comparatively strong position going into the Premier League campaign.
Gone are many of the fringe players who had survived the chop previously, and the new recruits can mostly be said to be of a better calibre to strengthen the team.
But with just over two weeks of the transfer window remaining, there is still some business fans are hoping will be addressed.
Some sections of supporters continue to call for Sam Allardyce to go, but that appears unlikely bar a series of catastrophic results early on. That means the main focus on ins and outs will be around playing staff.
The obvious thorn in the side is Modibo Maïga. It has been well publicised the club wants to move the Malian on, but it is doubtful he will go without a significant pay off. Clearing his wages would open up the chance to bring in a more committed and effective player, and a viable alternative to our attacking quartet of Enner Valencia, Mauro Zárate, Carlton Cole, and eventually, a fit Andy Carroll.
Ravel Morrison is another some want to see out of the club; unquestionably a talented player, the concern is he could remain disruptive and is a luxury that is too volatile to keep around.
Losing both players would free up space to sign a quick winger who could provide competition to Stewart Downing and Matt Jarvis.
Norwich City’s Nathan Redmond remains a popular choice, and with Stoke City apparently tabling a bid, it could prompt West Ham’s board to test the water.
The other area that really needs addressing is at centre half. James Collins is considered to be too inconsistent and James Tomkins has injury concerns.
If Cheikhou Kouyaté is going to play in midfield, then the squad needs a reliable and mobile option to partner alongside Winston Reid – assuming he himself stays.
Given all the positive work the club has put in during this close season, to lose the New Zealander would be a real negative.
But if the squad can gel quickly then there is every chance the early investment in new talent will pay-off.
If Reid won’t sign a new deal put him up for sale
“Relatively busy” it was my understanding that already this season we have spent more than any other transfer window.
IMO we have bought well and potentionaly strengthened the team in areas that have been crying out to be strengthened.
We have also moved on a lot of the dead wood as well, which is another huge bonus! Just Mogadon, cole and hopefully Jarvis too go! Then the evolution can truly begin
You are spot on about our need to strengthen at centre back even before considering loosing Reid. tonks and ginge are too mistake prone and limited to adapt to new formations and move the club forward.
However, if Reid doesn’t want to stay then f€$k him and let’s have the 10mil! COYI!
why have we bought another second rate striker all this talk about getting rid of cole Maggie Jarvis we need to shift Nolan Adrian and buy in a class keeper butland even cech short term would be better than what we have oh I forgot bfs a must to go
BV, I agree about Sakho, 20 goals in League 2? Top teams in League 2 would struggle to avoid relegation in our Championship. And I’m being kind there. Is he better than Lee? Does he have more potential than Lee? Difficult questions to answer. But worth £4m+ to find out? I don’t think so.
Jury is out on Sakho, but we do need to get rid of : MAIGA, VAZ TE, MORRISON, COLE, take the money offered for JARVIS and if REID wont sign, sell him too, £17m is not to be sniffed at, then we can sign a Centre Half or two , REDMOND and pay off Sam with the remainder.
Now PULIS is free, he could take over and see us into the top 10 and beyond.
COYI
Can anyone tell me what is going on with the supposed
signing of Amalfitano is he going to join or not
coyi
Give Sakho a chance mate!!!?
It may be a big step up from Ligue 2 in Frogland, but presumably the coaching/scouting team see something in his game?
Should have stumped up the £8mil for Wickham though…..
Blimey, let’s hope bfs gives him a chance. He’s got a lot of history of not giving players a chance. And playing them out of position. Remind me of the last player bfs bought, with potential, who actually delivered, or reached their potential? Tough isn’t it ?