OPINION
West Ham United’s 1-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on Friday night exposed a few things about the state of this Hammers squad.
It was not a terrible performance from Manuel Pellegrini’s side, but they proved unable to break down the hosts resolute defence at the AMEX Stadium.
With that being the case, Pellegrini discovered that he had no real game changers on the bench. Keeping that in mind, the Chilean should consider making a January move for Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend.
Marko Arnautovic had a good game against the Seagulls, but his two companions in the Hammers attack – Andriy Yarmolenko and Felipe Anderson – did not, and with the team struggling to create clear cut chances, the best Pellegrini could call upon from the bench was Michail Antonio, Lucas Perez and Robert Snodgrass.
Signing Townsend in the winter transfer window would provide West Ham with a legitimate, game-changing option off the substitute’s bench.
The England international is a terrifically talented player with pace to burn and an eye for goal, something that cannot necessarily be said for the trio of replacements on Friday.
Pellegrini needs more game changers he can employ when things aren’t happening for his first choice attackers. The threat that Townsend, on a reported £55,000-per-week at Selhurst Park [Source: Spotrac], poses is simply far superior to that provided by Antonio and Snodgrass.
Antonio’s best days appear behind him at the London Stadium, while Snodgrass, while a hard worker, has never appeared a favourite at the club. Townsend would be a breath of fresh air for this West Ham attack, and would instantly provide lightening pace to the frontline.
Pellegrini’s current front three are damn near untouchable, due as much to their good performances this season as a lack of options behind them, but the trio need to have a bit of pressure put on them for them to maintain a high level of form throughout the season.
Having Townsend breathing down their necks would ensure no slacking off from Yarmolenko and Anderson. Any dip in form and the Englishman is there, ready to take their starting spot.
Signing the 27-year-old wouldn’t alleviate everything that ails the Hammers, but it would be a step in the right direction as Pellegrini attempts to improve his squad depth.
