Tuesday evening's hard fought, but ultimately unsuccessful, FA Cup 5th round cup tie against Manchester United unfortunately highlighted West Ham United's paucity of strikers, with Big Mich Antonio 'rested' and his 'replacement' Andriy Yarmolenko looking like a fish out of water as he tried to lead the line. The Ukraine international endured a torrid time before leaving the field with ligament injuries that could see him side lined for the rest of the season.
The Odubeko 'situation' has already received too much media attention as far as we are concerned, so we won't be adding our two penneth worth. The young man, and he is a very young man, just wasn't up to the task, perhaps the occasion or the location got to him, either way what is done etc.
It is fairly safe to say that the 'down to the bare bones expression, much used by ex-Hammers boss Harry Redknapp, is totally applicable to the forwards situation and is most definitely a case of NOT crying wolf! Of course, hind sight is a wonderful thing, so it is easy to blame David Moyes and the board for not recruiting during the last window.
Moyes wanted to keep his powder dry and target players he actually wanted, as opposed to 'options' offered to him via David Sullivan's cronies, sadly the gamble hasn't paid off, so what's to be done? Just as the board performed a U turn with regards to Moyes being appointed as the club's permanent manager, which was entirely the correct course of action, the need for another U turn has become paramount. This time it involves going back on the decision to NOT bring over priced over age players to the club, at least in the short term.
Needs must, and West Ham absolutely have to bring in an additional striker whether they originally wanted to or not, and to that purpose, step forward Diego Costa. The London Stadium would surely be rather low on Costa's 'ideal destination' list, but a deal until the end of the season would put him right in the shop window, because despite Hammers recent travails, the club is still being referred to as 'high flying' West Ham, with all the associated media attention that an 'elite' club receives.
There are 15 fixtures left for West Ham to negotiate a way in to European competition, having been knocked out the FA Cup last night, league position is only way it can happen, so how much would it cost to bring Diego Costa to West Ham, that is assuming he can be convinced to sign up with Moyes's ethos?
Even if the club were forced to pay £300,000 per week for 15 weeks, the cost would be £4.5 Million. It should be remembered that final Barclays Premier League positions are rewarded by an extra £2 Million per place above the drop zone, consequently an outlay of £4.5 Million in wages could be offset by the gaining of two extra places.
Although signing up a highly paid mercenary goes completely against every thing David Moyes stands for, in this instance he might just have to change his mind, at least until the season's end. - Ed
https://twitter.com/i/status/1363068376768208896
Comments
Costa is a streetfighter a
Costa is a streetfighter a gunslinger he performed week in week out for the scum from West London. I'd take him no worries....
A Better
Bet than sturridge who might be cheaperbut bit the bullet and get costa for 6 months
Warning lights flashing
Finding a free agent to tide us over has its appeal on the face of it. But there are few examples of free agents doing well - they are usually “free” for a reason. And Diego Costa brings a lot of baggage with him: why exactly did Athletico release him from his contract just a few weeks ago ?
I would stick Benny up front
I would stick Benny up front,give it a go it cant be any worse in the absence of Big Mick, he is nippy,with fast foot work,you have Bowen,Lanzini,Lingard to support and feed.
The next Sterling........
potentially...
There you go Ausi,who knows
There you go Ausi,who knows till you try.
haha....
I get pommie twat, Orange Peel (Neil, who doesn't being called Neil from the 60's thx to the young one's) or geezer,but never Ausi...and I don't even feel like one after 22 years, though we have 3 kids who are raging Aussie Surfers, skateboarders and beach lovers 24-7...so glad I moved here rather than back home when I left Hong Kong in 1998...West Ham never leaves the heart though...kills me watching the game at stupid o'clock but try not to miss any games, though had to listen to the second half the other morning as work prevailed. Just setting out a new site and had a few waiting on me...job got done but gutted about the score...man do we need a couple of front men...real front men though ! ! ! ! ! !
I just cut it short mate,im
I just cut it short mate,im sure you will always be a Hammer.
Spot on Essex
Said about the 3 pronged attack earlier & add lingard to that,theres goals there but moyesy doesnt fancy it by the looks of things
I know mate,i like Moyes,but
I know mate,i like Moyes,but dont get some of his actions,like the subs the other night,why not give Benny a shot down the centre,im sure it would work,the Yarmo decision didnt work,but was given a go.
Exactly
Yarmo can do a good job on the wing cutting in when hes not crocked!but surely benny was a better option
Rubbish 65... It was my idea
Rubbish 65... It was my idea weeks ago!!! Tell him Essex!!! :o)
I'll get my coat!
Lol!!!! Lets just say we are
Lol!!!! Lets just say we are singing from the same hymn sheet.
LOL
:o)
Hes a trouble maker that
Hes a trouble maker that could upset the team morale and unison, but then a run of games without scoring and winning could do the same
I think hes had his day andy.
I think hes had his day andy.
No brainer for me! Proven &
No brainer for me! Proven & nasty. Will certainly give us an edge.
taking it could be a double
taking it could be a double-edged sword; He is a great forward but he is also very irritable, he could create problems and then I think he doesn't come to West Ham.
Funny
You should bring Harry into this argument Neville. For all his faults he could always come up with a plan B or mix the game up a bit, something Moyes is totally incapable of doing. Harry had an identical problem during his tenure and I well remember him playing a CB up front, either Unsworth or Pearce, can't quite remember which one. Dawson knows where the back of the net is and it wouldn't be too unacceptable to have Balbuena back in the place left vacant. Not that Moyes would dream of trying it anyway.
CB up front rarely works. I
CB up front rarely works. I remember years ago Tommy Taylor was given the job, disaster, was like watching milk turn quicker :o(
Ambition
I think this is a real turning point for WH and an indication of the clubs real ambition. We have good points on the board, a nice balanced structure and with a player like Costa, just for a few months, would take us close to a top four finish. I question the ambition and motives of the Unholy Trinity if something similar is not forth coming!
I think we're way past
I think we're way past questioning the ambition of the unholy Trinity Dartford. They played their hand a long time ago and decided to stick
Spot on Moore2... frustrating
Spot on Moore2... frustrating times :o(
Imo Nev your letting
Imo Nev your letting management off the hook far to easily ,ill start with the young Irishman ,surley SURLEY ,the likes of Fergie, Marina or even Venger wouldnt attempt this ,putting a 19 year old kid on to see if he would do ,the true strength of a experienced manager his his ability to judge certain situations and bringing on a young sub only to sub him off again is not on .
Second it just shows his defensive mentality ,who thinks they can do without a front man ,especially at old trafford and with the creative players we have ,to hope to get a lucky goal ,sit back and defend it is pie int the sky and if Yarmos injury is long lasting i hope moyes has learned his lesson ,didnt he do the same with the Russian in the Stockport game and he was poor enough then ,plus i bet he's wishing he'd never heard of west ham as must Benny boy and Bowen ,he's bringing them on and bringing them off ,never lets them get a full game , 1 ,maybe 2 -nill is what its all about for him ,defence tactics mean everything .