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How much do we need to spend for improvement

Submitted by Chippy Dave on Sun, 07/06/2015 - 09:26

Now that we're in the market for a new manager I just wonder what sort of figures the owners are talking about for the new man to spend in the transfer market. Realistically we are no more than a midtable side that could still have a bad season and flirt with relegation so surely the aim, as we're trying to attract a top European manager, is to break into the top 6, in my opinion we are a million miles away from this with the current squad, we're basically looking to finish above the likes of Liverpool or Spurs, I would think we need half a dozen top players at least. With this in mind if the reported figure of £25 million pounds transfer kitty is true is this another case of the owners thinking that we're better equipped than we are, that we've been under achieving, I personally think our league position last season was about right, we had a very good start that gave us false hope but with the players we've got we're on a par with Swansea or Stoke so could this be a reason we are struggling to attract a decent manager, what's your thoughts?

Gold and Sullivan know we will not be breaking into the top 6 this season and are not willing to spend big. They would enjoy some sucess in any of the 3 cups ( as of course Europa League comes first ), but will not shelve out more than 25 million pounds for it. We will be after the standart 5-7 mill quid players from Europe leagues, a few free agents, a couple of PL loaniess. We just might buy a decent Premier league player but I think it's unlikely as he will cost mre than they are willing to pay. I beliebe it is going to be an ok transfer window as were the last few. Hope this Hendrie kid from Hamilton also does good.. Hopefully we will blood Burke and Lee as well during the course of the season.

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249 users have voted.

That's kind of my point, what's the point in trying to get a top European manager, he won't come if all we're doing is spending a few quid to maintain our position, they can get more attractive jobs elsewhere!

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209 users have voted.

signings should do it......another striker.......decent holding midfielder........attacking / creative midfielder......right back, hopefully sign or loan Jenkinson again.......no sign of any marquee signings, I thought we were promised two this summer?? If Bilic gets the job, he may get Lovren and Ba in.

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311 users have voted.
Bullyhammer's picture

Yeah, it's the Swanseas and the Stokes (and Crystal Palaces!!) who must be our targets to end up above next season. Don't think either of them spent huge amounts, so it's probably more down to how much can the new manager get out of the current players, and as you say as good a window as last year. As to numbers... I doubt that 25 million figure will be exceeded this year.
I cant agree that our position of 12th was about right, the first half of the season showed what might be possible with this squad, if properly used.

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289 users have voted.

Finished 8th or 9th at least after the great start we had.If the new manager can get the best out of these players again 8th would be a good position this season.Cant see us breaking into the top 6 at the moment,25 mill will buy you one class act,& i cant see the owners splashing out more than 15 on one player.As ever though just have to wait & see....

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198 users have voted.

In that case we're really limiting our choice of managers, even Gary Monk wouldn't come to us based on a 8th or 9th place expectancy, no wonder Emery wasn't interested, I would think Bilic is our best hope

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278 users have voted.

"At present" what would our line up be? Adrian,??,Reid,Tomkins,Cresswell,Kouyate,Noble,Downing,Sahko,Carroll and Valencia. AND THATS IT. AND thats assuming (a very big IF) Andy Carroll is fit!!!! WE DONT EVEN NOW HAVE A RIGHT BACK AT THE CLUB!!!! WE DONT HAVE ANOTHER LEFT BACK!!!! THATS BEFORE addressing our perenial problem(s) of lack of width/flair/goalscoring!!!! As you touch on Chippy "we are on the bare bones of things"!!! SO MINIMUM 1 (if not 2) right backs,1 left back,another CH, 2 Centre Midfielders,decent width and a striker thats at least likely to score and also not spend 90% of his time on the treatment table. I dont think even Dynamo could get you all that for £25m!!!! You could easily spent that and actually struggle to improve anything ( given the age old will he settle/can he get used to The Prem/its his 1st season syndrome!!!! Whoever is in charge HAS A LOT OF WORK TO DO.....and he has to DO IT VERY QUICKLY!!! tHat absolute rag tagle of players that ended the season were on the road to nowhere and something pretty substantial has to change to stop the slide. Personally I would buy 2(or 3) AS BEST QUALITY AS I COULD players. I would bid £10m for Charlie Austin, £7/8m for Sigurrdson at Swansea and try and lure Moses from Stoke with whatever I had left.....the rest would need to come from freebies and loanees!!!! Would certainly have a look at what Man City might have re loanees to bolster squad (right back,wingers etc).....no matte rwhat its not going to be easy IMO!!!!

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275 users have voted.

It makes very grim reading doesn't it, as you say 2 or 3 new players at best when we're already short in depth in at least half a dozen positions, really hope there's more money available

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289 users have voted.
NorthHertsHammer's picture

1 point mate we bought Hendrie last Jan and we sent him back to his club on loan,and he is a right back.

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280 users have voted.
harrythehammers's picture

It was reported that wenger was willing to loan out jenkinson again next season. If true we should try and get that sorted out fast.

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255 users have voted.
Bullyhammer's picture

A guy on KUMB spoke to Jenkinson in the bookies, and he reckons he'll probably be back. Too much panic going on around here, chill out.

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274 users have voted.

Not sure about you Bully BUT YES I call having not 1 Right Back on your books at a Prem club with European fixtures 4 weeks away " slightly worrying" at least. I call having absolutely no cover for an already very vulnerable left back position " slightly worrying" at least!! I could go on....but I think ( or at least hope) you get the point. You say " surely the current squad are good enough"? Did they " look good enough" to you in the final 10 weeks of the season? And THAT WAS WITH Jenkins on and SONG!!!

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290 users have voted.
Bullyhammer's picture

You really think we will not be able to cope with the quality of team expected in the 1st 3 qualifying rounds of the Europa EVEN IF we bring nobody in over the next 4 weeks? BTW I expect Jenkinson to be back on loan by then, and if he isn't you really think nobody at the club is aware of the gaps you mention?

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249 users have voted.

Yes I'm sure your right. Loaning a very average player from Arsenal should almost garauntee a Semi Final place at least in the Europa League and a very rosy future.

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217 users have voted.

Got to agree I wouldn't say this current squad is capable of much, plus Sakho will be returning from an injury and who knows about Carroll, he could be out for the season by the middle of June, I think our European adventure could be over before it starts

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297 users have voted.
Cathammer's picture

Head up Bully, lets see what Manager we get and what kitty he gets to spend on players. As much as how great it would be to do well in Europe, Premiership stability is more important before we head for the OS.

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277 users have voted.
Essexhammer's picture

I think Gold and Sullivan are genuine in their beliefs that top 6 is their aim next season and they will go all out to achieve that objective.The £25m you mention CD is just paper talk ,these guys have bigger ambitions and are well aware that the squad lacks strength in depth.Explains why Gold come out recently stating that the club are looking to bring in at LEAST 5 signings during the summer and I wouldn't expect them to be squad players if they are looking to push the club on.There will be a number of disappointed first teamers, I guess,who will have to make way,but the fact Westham are now in Europe next season they will all get opportunities to play.I think its a good situation to be in ,healthy competition for places,something Westham have rarely enjoyed.Players from successful clubs like Chelsea,Man Cty seem to handle it ok so I'm sure the Westham players will appreciate the fact its becoming more of a squad game as the club progresses.

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269 users have voted.

5 signings could still equate to £25 million if 2 or 3 of them are loan deals though Essex, the only squad players who are happy are the ones who play for teams winning trophies, mainly because they can still earn a fortune even when they're warming the bench, can't see many players coming to West Ham to do that personally, it'll be interesting to see what happens

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284 users have voted.
Essexhammer's picture

Looks like Ayew and Obiang are Sullivan targets that are quality but won't break the bank,these are the type of players they will be going after with maybe 1 OR 2 marquee signings in the £10-£15m range.Definitely think that the board are really going to push the boat out on transfers this season(£50M) ? Which is why it is crucial that the right manager is brought in who has the experience of working with quality players,has achieved success in building teams and is not afraid to stamp his own style of play on the team.For me Bielsa ticks more boxes than any other candidate left.

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279 users have voted.

Apart from the obvious that pay silly money for players, and they have to as the immediate need is Champions League football, we haven't been that far behind in terms of annual spend on players outside of the top 8-10 teams. We must remember that we have spent time in the Championship where others haven't, and some of the others have bought players and sold within a few years with good return. Bony, Bale, Lambert, Shaw, Lallana, Lovren, Chambers. Southampton rebuilt within a season and spent £30m with a new manager, so it is possible. On the other hand look at the spuds, good business for Bale but Soldado has a worse scoring rate than Carlton Cole and he cost £26m! We need to buy sensibly so the important thing now is bringing in a manager with pulling power. I have heard that the board will be spending a lot more than £25-30m but I hope we don't, as there seem to be sensible buys out there with the right man on board and £30m should be enough for us to progress, compared to last season.

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295 users have voted.

In that case I must be living on a different planet, just to replace last years squad that have been released would take up at least half of that budget with Cole, Song, Nene, Jenkinson if he doesn't re sign and more than likely Nolan, on top of this we need cover at both full back positions, probably another centre half, and this is without thinking about improving, the fact is the club needs to spend just to maintain a mid table position because every other club will. I would say a lot of us are being very shortsighted

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292 users have voted.
Bullyhammer's picture

I agree I'd like to see us strengthen a lot, Dave. I just think it's very early days to start getting worried. I also think, without wishing to harp back to old complaints, that a new manager will get more out of several of our players.

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282 users have voted.

Bully who in our colour do you see "vastly improving" under another Manager? Players are usually s*** for a reason (usually because they are s***)!!! Granted they can look "a bit better" if better players surrounding them but in general ITS THEIR FAILINGS that make them what they are (or are not in this case). Im assuming your alluding to the likes of Downing,Jarvis,Noble etc? Good luck if you think even a change of manager will change performances from these perennial flops!!!!

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250 users have voted.
Bullyhammer's picture

Thanks.

So all our players are sh1t, and perennial flops.God knows why we aren't in the Conference.

You are exaggerating. What makes you so pessimistic?

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262 users have voted.

It's not about being good enough for a lower league it's about the idea that on a small budget we can attract a 'top European manager' and maintain our league position and compete in Europa league with the nucleus of our current squad, I think people are expecting miracles from a new manager, without adequate investment we'll not be much better off than last season imo, that's if we manage to attract a good manager

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292 users have voted.

Where did I say "all our players are shit"? Reid ,Tomkins (at times) Kouyate and Sahko look very decent quality to me. Cresswell is in the "decent start but lots of rough edges" category whilst the rest are players who not even a Stoke,Palace,WBA etc would consider to even bolster their squads IMO. Carroll would come into the "very worth having" if fit....but sadly thats looking a forlorn hope!!!! Thats the way I see it (think the "results" from the second half of the season back it up fairly well!!!! You didnt say who it is that you think will "perform vastly differently" under whatever new manager we appoint?

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267 users have voted.

Sorry I thought you might be up for "a debate" but it seems I totally misinterpreted your intentions. You said " you hope a new Manager can get more out of certain players". I asked you which ones. If you dont want to answer a question thats not a problem. Im sure we will see Barcelona et al in for O'Brien,Collins,Downing and Amalfitano very quickly when the new manager takes the helm.

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281 users have voted.
Bullyhammer's picture

If you wanted a friendly debate perhaps you shouldn't have put words into my mouth. Even now your last sentence shows that what you really want is an argument. You have an aggressive 'shouty' style of posting which I don't find very constructive.

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258 users have voted.

I couldn't give a monkeys toss about "friendly debate" Bully. State what you think. I have. At present you seem to "be hoping" that this new manager will "tranform" certain players( and again I will reiterate) PERENNIAL FLOPS Downing,Jarvis,Nolan,Noble (et al). How are the failings of the 2nd half of the season going to be addressed? You asked me the question..."why the doom and gloom"? Ive answered. Do me the service of doing the same.

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187 users have voted.
blackpool hammer's picture

Said the same thing a while ago , will need to spend that just to stay were we are. And need that again if we are to push on.

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284 users have voted.

The last time we spent a lot of money was in 2006/07, we finished 3 points off the bottom in 15th place and avoided the drop on the last day at Old Trafford. We spent £37m and it ended up costing us a further £32m in fines, and we shelled out £6m for a certain 'Louis Boa Morte' who gave us 2 goals in 97 games! Whatever we spend we need to spend it wisely, and the new manager coming in has to have pulling power as this is key to any club/team.

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261 users have voted.
asheshammer's picture

Probably very unlikely they could repeat that this season. I would think they need to pay around £40M to get the deals done to place us solidly in the top 8. Not gonna happen. £25M? That could be enough to keep us around 12th, maybe with a more even season.

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272 users have voted.

With the imminent signing of Slaven Bilic as our new manager and a kitty of around £25-30m most of what you have all said is about right in my opinion! mid table up to 8th is probably all we can expect because we now have a transition period as Bilic changes training techniques and gets our current players mindsets out of the rut they have been in for the last six months.
Fans displeasure at our dramatic loss of form has been muted by a few players/ex coaches over the last few days as the reason we only won 3 matches in our last 21 but I think it goes deeper than that and perhaps boredom with the same old routines Allardyce had them doing in training and in games.
SUGO spent £32m last season after saying £25m was their budget so perhaps they will spend a bit more this time? I will hope for a good start to the Premiership especially with the Europa Cup being early which teams quite often benefit from, giving them a better start as others are not quite ready in August.
8th place would be good next season and I think like others that this is where we should have finished last season.

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283 users have voted.

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