David Moyes has identified the Hamers midfield as the are which needs strengthening as a matter of priority in the January transfer market.
He has yet to name his major targets but believes he needs far more athleticism in the middle of the park as the squad go into the second half of the campaign.
Twenty seven year old Bournemouth Harry Arter is on the radar although January is a notoriously difficult month to woo players out of clubs involved in relegation and promotion battles.
The Cherries are sitting one place below the Irons in 16th spot and would be reluctant to sell Arter who signed a new deal recently tying him to the club for another four years.
Moyes has made it clear however, that it’s an area of the team which be believes is lightweight and will move heaven and earth to bring in either Arter in a permanent move or look for a quality loan signing with a view to buy in the summer.
ClaretandHugh was told this evening that the manager was also very impressed with Declan Rice in the midfield this afternoon at Stoke when replacing Mark Noble and will be looking to give him opportunities of proving himself as a long term fit in that area.
One thing that wasn’t mentioned but they made an astute point about on the radio is that Moyes took Arnautovic off after he had scored the second goal, Sutton made the point that Moyes is smart because as soon as Arnie went down the tunnel the Stoke fans left en masse had he stayed on they would have wanted to keep giving it to him and supporting their team until the end so it effectively weakened their support, it was very clever and well done Moyes.
It was not only clever, it was very professional and logic. I only saw this on the telly screen but it was clear that nothing good was going to come of this. The herd at the stadium was out of control, very aggressive and even Mark Hughes was insulting Arnautovic in a very vulgar manner. So Moyes or the staff decided to make Arnautovic go to the shower, not sit on the bench, accompanied by someone from the staff so that things were kept in check. Well done indeed.
It was also a sensible move on three more fronts:
1 – with Stoke tempers running high, it was always likely that a hothead such as Shawcross would react to crowd and make a stupidly dangerous challenge, injuring Arnautovič;
2 – Arnie’s hothead streak could surface in a flashpoint and he’d be carded, and;
3 – at 2-0 the game was won. Why take any risk when you could withdraw the player who could inspire/rile Stoke to perform?
Excellent game management from David Moyes. Game over, wrap up the points and head for the bus home. Maybe not such a sideways move for Arnie, eh, Mr Hughes?
Arnie was excellent yesterday, now he just needs to take more of the chances created because had he done so yesterday, it might have improved our shyte goal difference even more!
I was wetting myself laughing at Arnie’s hammer salutes, priceless. But then, just for a second, I thought what if that was Lanzini or Poyet returning to West Ham and doing that to us? I’d have wanted to hang them too. so, I get where the Stoke fans were coming from and I agree entirely that Moyes made a great decision in taking him off.
Finally, did you see Chic and Sakho in the last 10, playing against a team forced to attack because they were losing? Bloody hell, what a tool in our box if we are ahead in future games. A new tactic is born. Get ahead, wait until the opposition throw everyone forward and stick these two on, our goal difference will be sorted in no time!
Laz – See – I did it again bud. Come on Sakho!
Great game. I was there. The difference in the confidence of the team is palpable and stems from them being happier with Adrian between the sticks. Arnie’s return was always going to be melodramatic and while he did miss a bucketload of chances, the more important point is that he is making them. Ginge was everywhere, Lanzini ran the show and I was so impressed with Rice, whose positioning is as good as his first touch.
Sakho finally scored when Lanzini laid it on a plate for him, but looks out of sorts. He missed a sitter.
I’d keep Ayew and let Sakho go.
I have to eat humble pie about Moyes, who has clearly made a huge difference.
Onwards and upwards methinks.
I hope Moyes keeps Sako he is a lot faster than Carrol & now Bilic has gone there should be no animosity from the management he showed yesterday he is hungry for goals & being fast would fit in perfectly with the break away style of play that Moyes is playing. If we can strengthen the midfield we should have a good team & progress up the league.
One worry is reports in the paper that West Ham are willing to sell Quina to Liverpool this would be a very bad move we need good youngsters & from all the reports about him he is a really good prospect