David Moyes appears to be taking a very laid back approach to the January transfer window and refusing to rush into any panic buys.
He is talking regularly of there being no guarantees that permanent signings will arrive although loan deals are a possibility.
The boss has been here before when taking over at Manchester United where he was dubbed ‘The Ditherer’ when the transfer windows came along.
His arrival at United after they had won the title saw him hesitating big time over player such as Bayern Munich’s Tony Cruz at that time , then Ander Herrara, whom they missed out on at the time but has since joined, before a deal for Leighton Baines fell through.
At the time Old Trafford insiders told us he made it clear to the club – as he has done here – that he treats the owners’ money as he does his own before being told he had no need to do so as United had rather a lot!
Here his motivations and caution may be somewhat different as he bids to land the Hammers gig full time next summer- a job he badly wants.
He may have not have sufficient confidence in the players he has been looking at and fearful that they will give him no more than he has already and that he could live to regret it.
Alternatively, as a training ground manager – essentially a coach – he seems not entirely comfortable with all the transfer hassle preferring, instead to rely on the players he has at the club..
Either way, those we have spoken to at Goodison and United aware of his transfer window approach – tell us that what we are seeing this January is par for his course!
COYI
If I was a manager I would actively play down the expectations of supporters, so that they don’t get out of their pram if the wished for transfers don’t materialise.
I would anyway not discuss transfer matters with any media, so that I don’t jeopardize any possible deals.
I have to laugh when some of our supporters go on Hammers-chat and demand that the club explain their whole transfer strategy to 57,000 supporters ( presumably if they promise not to leak our secrets to the world and his wife )
Moyes is only doing what any decent manager does, to protect any ongoing negotiations.
He had e very decent transfer record at Everton, where he had very limited resources for the most part.
Completely agree Sleeps, personally would rather a manager that dithers but buys players that fit the team than one who impulse buys lots of players that are gambles at best and fill positions that aren’t needed.
Spot on sleeps he is doing the best thing keeping stum until the deal is done. Also no good comparing to Man United as he is now more like in an Everton situation.
Also unless he has been given 40 million to go and get someone of quality which he has not, there is not much he can buy anyway.
Let’s get this season safe, then put in the youngsters and see how they fair.
In the close season see what budget the two stooges give us and then move on from there but not holding out much from them as they simply not in the same leauge to be able to push us onto the top 6. We can only hope they sell up at some point.
Sullivan’s dream a manager who doesn’t spend money easily
Moyes needs to ensure we keep hold of a handful of our good uns first! As January progresses, I’m becoming increasingly concerned at a few of the rumoured outgoings, having given up entirely on any quality coming in!