Irrespective of where the club eventually finishes in the Barclays Premier League, one of the first orders of business in the closed season is for David Moyes to acquire a 'top notch' striker. The problem is strikers are like gold dust and their price reflects that, having already been 'linked' with Tammy Abraham, Ivan Toney, Abdallah Sima, Adam Hlozek, Adam Armstrong, Youssef En-Nesyri and Odsonne Edouard, the choice seems endless, but is it?
Who ever arrives at the London Stadium has got some pretty big boots to fill, Mikey Antonio proved once again how devastating he can be as a forward in scoring his brace against Burnley last night, he did miss a couple of sitters as well though. Now if Antonio's hamstrings weren't serial offenders, he would probably be the League's top scorer or thereabouts, unfortunately he is never going to be available for more than half of the games throughout the season, and so the need for his 'replacement' is critical.
The problem is there aren't ANY strikers similar to Michail Antonio clearly available, his game play is unique and there isn't a single defender who relishes playing against him, he literally bullies them! Who ever arrives at the London Stadium will need to be the polar opposite of Sebastien Haller, 'Le Sulk' was sold on to Ajax for a £20 Million loss, such was David Moyes's desire to remove Haller's negativity, lack of pace and lack of strength from his team.
Haller's absence was covered by the arrival of Jesse Lingard, although not an out and out striker, his energy was exactly what was needed for the team, since his arrival results have been superb, especially given the amount of injuries that finally started to accrue.
Moyes will probably adhere to his 'Red Bull' policy of young and hungry, as opposed to old and past it, it seems a very simple concept, but one that has alluded West Ham's recruiting system up to now. For too long West Ham has been the final destination for players who are past their prime, they have usually been injury prone and have all arrived on massive wages, this has to stop, and will do as David Moyes looks pretty determined to push his blue print through.
The financial ramifications of the Covid pandemic are still filtering through company accounts, and West Ham just as every other club have been hard hit, but maybe fans don't need 'big name' players, preferring those who are prepared to put a shift in and are hungry to progress by buying into Moyes's plan. - Ed
Comments
Ants
Is unreal,even if he has to be nursed the bloke is an absolute asset
Do we need a No9?
The last two most successful "strikers" were Wingers, Ant and Arnautović. Lots of clubs play successfully with the faulse No 10's, maybe this is the West Ham Way?
For Striker just read goal scorer which can come from all areas of the pitch. Ant and Arnautović have the same philosophy... single minded focus on the goal!
Final Destination...
Final Destination... I had to laugh, but this has been the case for as long as I can remember, and this has irked me also for as long as I can remember too.
Antonio is a totally unique striker who I can't rate highly enough....if only he was 5 years younger and had no issues with his hamstrings.
So more than anything we desperately Need a striker and I would be inclined to go for Toney who is probably a unique type of player in his own way, who apparently has a thirst to improve and learn, and is also a team player I feel would suit us. Another player in that mould that I like is Emiliano Buendía, as well as Armstrong.
That isn't to rule out any of the other players that have been linked, as the little that I have seen of Youssef En-Nesyri has been amazing. But I feel that loyalty and endeavour is more likely to be expressed by players of known quantity from the Championship.
Here's looking forward to a positive summer transfer window.... COYI
We had a promising youngster
We had a promising youngster Afolayen,could of been nurtured along nicely over the last few months,to do more next season,but no we farmed him out to Bolton i think,beats me.
i think Essex hes a winger,
i think Essex hes a winger, now 23 years old, out on loan 3 times , 30 odd appearances and one goal. Cant see him making it :o(
There you go Dartford we are
There you go Dartford we are used to wingers becoming strikers,but he did look tasty when we gave him a run out.
Lack of goals Essex says to
Lack of goals Essex says to me the lad isnt a natural :o(
OK just throwing it out there
OK just throwing it out there. What about Chris Wood from Burnley? Now I know he's not fashionable, (by that I don't mean I think he wears flares and shops at John Collier). But he's a rood honest rugged number 9. A David Cross if you like. Never injured and scores goals every season. Relatively cheap too I'd say!!
Youssef En-Nesyri
Highly rated sort after blah blah blah well no thanks...sounding a little xenophobic(Olivia Newton John)but how many times must we get caught with players from overseas who have an alleged great goal scoring reputation but turn out not able to handle the "physicality" of the prem and the pace is to much for them....i would rather give Toney/Armstrong a chance they are well used to the demands of english football...yes i hear the cry of Hugill and that was a mistake but a £9million is better than a £45million mistake.....i do not think Moyes will make that kind of mistake again hence not rushing for a striker in the January window and if we get chumps/eujoka footy next season i hope Moyes and co will see through all the shite that will come our way with striker after striker being offered and suddenly its there dream to play for West Ham.....so i think we can throw all the names we want but we will have to wait and see because we are deffo going to need a much bigger squad for next seasons demands.