Forum | General Discussion

There is of course non stop media coverage of the transfer window every time it is about to draw to a close, more so with regards to this January's window, because of the Premier League's unique winter break. Newcastle are the club linked with every transfer story whether they have shown any interest or not.

West Ham have had their fair share of interest as well, observers expected the club to be big hitters during the window owing to the inbound investment of Daniel Kretinsky, however NOTHING has happened on the face of it. Hammers have gone from a club that did all its washing in public, to a strictly ANTK basis, firmly enforced by the Laird of East London, David Moyes.

So fans who have grown up on a diet of real news 'Angel Delight', are having difficulty in accepting the truth when they are given it on a plate, or a bowl, to continue the Desert of no substance metaphor. The truth hurts, being in denial with the fact that the club has tried but failed, but actually REALLY HAVE tried and failed to bring players in, doesn't detract from the reality of how difficult the January window can be.

The rumours of a £50 Million striker bid are just a little too convenient, not for the club, who don't need to sell season tickets and will welcome a full stadium for the Europa League game(s), but for a media crying out for copy, irrespective of how true or false the story is.

We at the Org continue to firmly believe that a last minute deal for Chelsea's Armando Broja is in the offing, if it doesn't happen we will not be embarrassed because although our source IS genuine, so much can happen in an instant, both positive AND negative.

At least Hammers fans know that this time there has been the wherewithal and intent from the board to back their manager, he just has to loosen up but not be stupid which is a difficult balance, but that is what he is paid over £80,000 per week, excluding bonuses, to do. - Ed

We have all been there as children, you get to the top of the water slide or hook line queue and take up your position while a heap of others are waiting patiently behind for you to take the plunge. Suddenly you are gripped with fear and freeze on the spot, but there is NO going back so you have to BE BRAVE and summon up all your courage and leap into the unknown.

It's all over in a few seconds, you look back for acknowledgement or appreciation from those in the queue jostling for position only to see that no one noticed anything out of the ordinary and that the entire 'grip of fear' experience you had was all in your mind.

David Moyes has finally got back to near the top of the queue, having been sent to the back by Manchester United, it has been a long and arduous journey but finally he is back with the big boys, albeit only tenuously. To continue the queueing metaphor Moyes has reached a point in the transfer market whereby he CAN AFFORD to take the plunge, but is possibly reticent to do so having been 'scarred' by previous experiences.

Jockeys who fall off horses, F1 drivers who crash and relay runners who drop the baton, ALL have to pick themselves up and go again, overcoming their fears in the process. David Moyes has done incredibly well during both of his spells at the club, his 2nd coming period being the most productive. He is now at a bit of a cross roads, in a way his success over the last two years, despite the team's recent blip in form, has created a myth that he doesn't seem to want to tarnish by making a big transfer mistake, thereby ruining his redemption.

The problem is that David Moyes IS risking his reputation by not even putting himself in the firing line, by playing safe and signing no one, it is what record company A&R men used to do in the past! Moyes' relutance to take a risk in the market is commendable but is also a bit weak, NOT a word that you would usually associate with the 58 year old Scot!

At the risk of receiving a 'slap' from the erstwhile Hammers manager (he'll know what we mean), we suggest he 'grows a pair' and gets OFF the fence and spends a bit of the money he has available! This comment may seem hypocritical as we have always backed Moyes' reluctance to sign players just 'for the sake of it', but sometimes being intransigent just because you are right can be WRONG!

In the past the board signed useless players soley to appease disenfranchised fans, but that is NOT necessary now, however fans do love a new signing, so why not do a little something for them Moysie? The Board has reiterated there is money there for you waiting to be used.

It may not make much sense from a football point of view, but it wouldn't upset the apple cart too much if you brought in just one 'Tiny' little striker as a present would it? Michy Antonio's ham strings would love it for a start, so would the fans AND the Owners! - Ed

Nottingham Forest defender Joe Worrall has been on Hammers radar along with a host of other players for what seems an age, as the clock continues to tick down towards deadline day more and more rumours abound it is the nature of the beast.

The 25 year old is good in the air and a bit of a throw back to central defenders of the past, he is tough tackling and can look after himself in a showdown, he is 6'4" tall and is a warrior rather than a worrier in defence, his performances belie his young age and on the face of it he would be a typical David Moyes signing

In 22 Championship appearances for Forest this season, Worrall has averaged two tackles, two interceptions, 3.7 clearances and one block per game. He has also won an average of 2.4 aerial duels per match. The Daily Mail recently reported that Nottingham Forest value him at around £12 Million, however as they are competing for promotion they are in two minds about selling Worrall.

Interestingly West Ham were reported to be in talks with Forest just the other day with regards to their interest in Hammers U-23 left back Emmanuel Longelo. The youngster has only played one first team game for the Irons which was against Dinamo Zagreb, butduring which he acquitted himself admirably.

21 year old Longelo is a product of the Academy and a regular in the table topping U- 23's in Premier League Division Two, however given how light Hammers are in the left back area, it is somewhat of a surprise that the club would even consider sending him out on loan, but if the loan deal was a sweetener to get hold of Joe Worrall, then it would make much more sense.

Our view is that Forest would be crazy to sell Worrall so deep into the January window, unless they have an alternative in mind, but it should be remembered who they sold to West Ham on the last day of the transfer window way back in 2015? A certain Mikey Antonio, enough said! - LN

When it comes to doing non domestic transfer business, clubs tend to stick with what they know in order to avoid lengthy unnecessary negotiations that more often than not ultimately end in disappointment. Hammers need for reinforcements is hardly a secret, neither is Olympic Marseille's urgent need for money.

Marseille have been hit particularly hard by the failed BeIn Sports TV deal that has seen the club's income plummet to such an extent that they are having to have a fire sale, just in order to balance the books, otherwise they risk severe FFP sanctions. Due to the club's 'chequered' past, their transactions will be heavily scrutinised with no room for error and no favours being handed down by the French FA.

Hammers have been interested in TWO of Marseille's players for some time, young inexperienced striker Bamba Dieng who is apparently available for around €10 Million is a source of much interest to West Ham. Duje Caleta-Car is another player that has been linked with Hammers on and off for ages, Hammers have tried unsuccessfully to get him on loan but their offers has been rebuffed by the French club on more than one occasion.

This is SURELY the type of situation Hammers should be exploiting! After all one of the main reasons for bringing Daniel Kretinsky on board, was for the club to be able to match the bidding of other clubs, at least the mid table ones. This is the time for West Ham to exploit their comparative wealth compared to those in France.

Dieng is 21 years old and has enormous potential, he has been described as the new Didier Drogba but has only managed four goals and one assist in 14 Ligue 1 games for Marseille this season, so he is obviously a work in progress AND he is away at AFCON so getting a deal over the line is nigh on impossible during this window, but it could be done if all parties are willing.

Caleta-Car is a different story though, Marseille are unwilling to sanction the loan to buy deal Hammers want, instead insisting on receiving the full €20 Million he is valued at, whereas Hammers are unwilling to make a straight out purchase fearing the player might not be able to adapt to the rigours of the Premier League. If he did arrive in East London he could link up with his international teammate Nikola Vlasic, a player who's difficulty in settling in is a classic example of why 'try to buy' is such a useful tool when it comes to purchasing players from the European Leagues and beyond.

Hammers and Marseille have a 'decent' business relationship, so there IS EVERY possibility a deal can be struck for at least ONE of the players, preferably the two, sometimes it is best to deal with the 'Devil you know' and let's face it sometimes it takes one to know one which puts Hammers firmly in the driving seat! - ED