The Elephant In The Room Is Right Back!

Although Panto season is officially over, there are always a few 'shows' that keep on running, and 'Hamstrung United' has been such a hit that it could continue on it's run for weeks, even months to come!

Normally the audience are drawn it to a situation where they are forced to shout out en masse "look behind you", as the wicked witch enters the stage. In the case of 'Hamstrung United', the wicked witch hasn't been replaced by Lady Brady, but has been usurped by the 'Elephant in the Room' known as the 'Hammer'.

The Hammer has certainly made it's presence felt throughout West Ham United football club, players have flocked to attend the inaugural 'test days' in their droves, the latest to sign up for a lengthy course is Ryan Fredericks who passed the entry exam by 'pulling up' during the hard fought victory over Gillingham in the FA Cup.

Fredericks was replaced by the veteran Pablo Zabaleta, who put in a great, if slightly creaking performance, a Premiership side would have ripped him to pieces! The problem is that alternative options are thin on the ground for what is a crucial position, other than Zaba, the only other 'genuine' right back available is Ben Johnson.

Johnson who is 20 years old later this month is an ideal option, he made his main first team debut at the Etihad against Manchester City, and performed with aplomb. His progress has been hampered by, you guessed it, Hamstring issues, which have taken their time to resolve. Originally a right winger, Johnson has the perfect athleticism required to 'burn' up and down the flanks and his availability will complement Fredericks once he has recovered.

Manuel Pellegrini had many critics, but his two players for every position mantra is as true as it has ever been, bulking up a porous defence should, and more than likely is, one of David Moyes first priorities as he looks to strengthen his squad during the January transfer window. Relying on a 20 year old with very little first team experience, or on a veteran with almost too much experience to fill such an important role, is a recipe for disaster, and West Ham do disaster extremely well.

Moyes has begun his recruitment by, intelligently adding a 'proper' back up keeper in the form of ex-hammer Darren Randolph from Middlesbrough, if he can add an additional right back and left back, he would only then need another central midfielder to make the squad much more balanced, as it is currently top heavy with 'creative' players like Anderson, Fornals and Lanzini.

It might seem sacrilegious, but if a decent offer came in for the 'little jewel', Manuel Lanzini, then it should be seriously considered, because Lanzini is now a shadow of the player he once was, the season long injury that he sustained while training with the Argentine national team was potentially career ending, he has never looked the same since, and judging from his performances looks unlikely to rekindle the dynamism with which he once played.

The same thing happened to Michael Owen when he sustained a similar injury, he came back, but never returned to his previous best, unfortunately Lanzini seems to be on the same course.

West Ham United have, as is usual during the window, been 'linked' with just about every player that (a) has a pulse and (b) is of interest to Everton or Tottenham, nothing changes. - Ed