Salomon Rondon, Gaetan Laborde, Jeremie Boga, Mohamed Bayo, Alassane Plea, Rayan Cherki, and Islam Slimani make up Hammers 'magnificent seven' of striker targets. Add to that burgeoning list the likes of Sparta Prague's Adam Hlozek and you will see that David Moyes and his recruitment team, which currently includes David Sullivan are going to have their work cut out!
Having secured one of his primary long term targets in Kurt Zouma, David Moyes has to swiftly move to ensure he doesn't miss out on his others, namely Jesse Lingard from Manchester United and one of the above named forwards. There is of course the caveat that he will not be held to ransom over terms for a new striker, preferring to go with what he has, especially if Lingard arrives as planned.
Even with reinforcements the squad is still painfully thin, embarrassingly so when compared with Chelsea's for example, but it is what it is. There was originally a glaring need for a back up midfield player to complement veteran Mark Noble, but Manu Lanzini has been 'groomed' to play in that deep lying position, which is very intelligent use of am relatively unused asset by Moyes and his coaching staff.
Alphonse Areola has initially been brought in as back up to Lukasz Fabianski, but will feature more and more as the season progresses, his opportunities are going to come thick and fast if Hammers September schedule is anything to go by!
(1) Saturday 11th September Premier League Southampton 15:00 West Ham United (2) Thursday 16th September Europa League Group H Dinamo Zagreb 17:45 (3) West Ham United Sunday 19th September Premier League West Ham United 14:00 Manchester United (4) Tuesday 21st September EFL Cup Manchester United TBC To be Confirmed (5) West Ham United. Saturday 25th September Premier League Leeds United 15:00 (6) West Ham United Thursday 30th September Europa League Group H West Ham United 20:00 Rapid Vienna.
Prior to September the 11th, at least FIVE of Hammers first team will be away on International duty, which leaves the possibility that a high profile player like Declan Rice could end up playing a staggering NINE competitive games in the space of 30 days!
Mr Sullivan, as Beardy of PAI(n) likes to call him, needs to get his wallet out again to ensure he keeps his eye on the ball and is not distracted by the short term gain of not buying those additional players who don't seem to be urgently required AT THIS MOMENT in time. However being West Ham he must know that as soon as the window closes big mick will do his hammy and Decs will pick up a niggle while playing for England.
IF Sullivan feels motivated enough, he could actually make a silk purse out of a transfer window's pig's ear! Fans will still hate him, but he will be hated a little less if he can get the deals over the line his manager has been patiently waiting for him to conclude. - Ed
Comments
Post Crystal Palace viewpoints.
Cheers, everyone, I'd like to express my gratitude for "WestHamFans" accepting me into the site. Yesterday was tough, however, bloody Palace has a penchant for coming to East London and giving the Hammers a hard time, with the Hammers having only beat Palace at home 3 times since Palace gained promotion in 2013, even at the Boleyn, on 14/4/2014, we lost 0-1. However, in spite of WHU F.C. being a bit off their game in the midfield and CB's, yesterday, Benny with too many touches on occasion, Rice didn't have a great match, heavy touches that led to giveaways, some errant passing by all, it was just a partially bad day at the office. Those points being made, there was still a lot to be positive about, as stated above, an almost telepathic understanding is forming between Fornals, Bowen, Benrahma, and Antonio, they look outstanding going forward, along with Coufal and Mr. Cresswell still getting down their repetitive touchlines to whip in those near perfect crosses and corners in. (Bowen needs to work on getting his corners higher, they are placed perfectly as far as pace and distance, but they are about a metre too low.) Antonio has been working on his left foot, he'd never had scored that second goal until this year, scored a few in pre-season, his assist at St James to Benny was a left footed cross just before Michy and the ball crossed the by line.
Well, we all want to reinforce the squad. It's tough enough in the market, let alone finding someone who will fit into this "Band of Brothers" that is the current team. (And no, I'd rather take my chances than re-introduce a back stabbing, ego maniac like Arnautovic, why couldn't we have signed Ings?!?!)
Well, we have a major singing in Kurt Zouma. The Big question is does he start at Saints, along with Areola, or does Moyes stick with the XI that looked like a Champions League club the first two matches? It would be a little harsh, maybe, but, it was mostly they [Fabianski and Dawson] who were responsible for the dropped points, a habit I pray our beloved Hammers do not pick back up.
Moyes knows how to motivate. Lingard, and one more striker, and we are good. Masuaku (some don't like him) fair enough, but, he will be needed, and he is useful in the 3-5-2 which was part of our great start last year, and since we like the counter attack approach, it morphs into a 5-4-1 in defence.
I'm gonna keep my chin up, in Moyes I Trust, and, I think our win streak holds out against the Saints, the lads usually followed up a dodgy performance (at least in the second.....) with a cracker the next. They are created many artistic chances in the first, and it's been improving every match. COME ON YOU IRONS!!!!!!
brilliant
analyst iron clad and hope that the new signings don't upset the apple cart