By Allen Cummings
The football season may have finished, but the football transfer ‘silly season’ is clearly in full swing. The transfer rumour mill is alive and well and throwing up new names every day of players we’re ‘monitoring’.
We all like a bit of gossip now and again. It’s what keeps us going sometimes. With a new manager in place West Ham are prime candidates to be linked with all and sundry, as everyone tries to second guess just who might be on Manuel Pellegrini’s shopping list.
Good news indeed then that we’ve learned here on C&H that the actual names on that list are not necessarily in the public domain – not already linked to us through the media. The manager wants to keep his targets under wraps. Exactly as it should be. Exactly how most of us want it to be. Mum’s the word!
But none of that will stop us from drawing up our own personal wish list. I don’t know about anyone else, but from my point of view I know exactly the kind of player I’d like to see coming through the door at the London Stadium.
I’m not interested in the so-called ‘marquee’ signings, usually European based players who will command an impressive looking fee, and who’s agent is looking for a nice pay day. They cut no ice with me and I don’t believe they’re right for my club.
With all due respect to Pablo Zabaleta , who I believe was brilliant for us last season, I’m hoping we will move away from signing any aging stars, players with a justifiably respected reputation, but who’s best days are behind them.
I know there is no substitute for experience in football, but I see that as just another short-term solution. I want us to seize the opportunity we now have with the appointment of a top rank manager, and look to build that much promised new and brighter future for the club.
My idea of the ‘right’ kind of player is ironically one we actually already know we’re interested in, Fulham’s Ryan Fredericks. Early days yet I know, but Fredericks ticks all the right boxes for me.
The 25 year old is the perfect age. He’s had experience of the lower leagues where he’s learned his trade. He’s athletic, energetic, has pace, not short on ability but he also has an edge to his game.
Ryan’s ambitious and wants to go places. Ruben Loftus-Cheek is another who has been mentioned as a possible target. Similar qualities to Fredericks and clearly destined for bigger and better things in the game.
They are the type of players I want to see wearing the claret and blue next season. The type of players I believe will excite West Ham fans like me. Who will get our magnificent supporters firmly behind them and help to create the kind of expectant atmosphere we have all been waiting a very long time for.
Hi Allen. You mean like Antonio who was unknown to all and sundry until we swooped. Last season was one he would want to forget but the player who even the co-Chairman Gold went looking for on Twitter did well for us for two seasons and still bring in more money than we paid for him?
I agree with both the named players,
And I think Loftus-Cheek would be a great asset for us. If the new gaffer can sign them as well as a couple of big names
We’ll be a top 6 club in 2
Seasons.
It’s not a bad policy buying the best players from the championship in terms of an investment or as it’s known in football circles, “having a punt” , as long as they are on the way up, young and improving and as long as they are not one season wonders. If they are at their peak there is always the danger we get one good season from them in the premier league and then they revert back to being the championship quality player they were in the first place. The difference between a buying a championship player that ups their game and a world class player is though, in my opinion, that a world class player can suffer a dip in form, a difficulty in adjusting to a different league, but generally speaking still be half decent. With a world class player the quality usually shines through in the end.
I think most of us would agree with you Allen on the policy of buying older players it may work well for survival specialists like Allardyce and Pullis but it is a poor policy if you want to compete in the upper levels for a sustained period. I haven’t seen much of Fredericks playing to be honest but he seems to be well thought of and have pace which is something that hurts all teams, the good season under Bilic we had pace to burn throughout the team and it helped us succeed alongside Payet of course. I would rather us be better organised than under Bilic and a lot fitter of course which hopefully Pellegrini when he starts training the squad will achieve, looking forward to the new season COYI !!!
I tend to agree with all said above, maybe except the top 6 in 2 years statement which is probably a bit too optimistic, that being said I’ll gladly eat my hat 580!
I would love us to get our squad average down, build on our academy prospects whilst buying the 22-25 year olds who still has a lot to learn (obv coming with the right attitude etc…). Being a Norwegian, I’ve looked at some statements from the national coach, Lars Lägerback (previous Iceland coach if you guys remember – sorry!), Who’s said he wants to create a fixed line up of 12-15 playing all the games. I recognize the difference between national and club – but you see clubs being heavily successful employing this strategy; Spurs comes to mind ( sorry again lads…). I would love to see the same mentality at West Ham! No marquee super players, no old saviours but a young and hungry squad that is consistent and reliable!