By Hughie Southon and Dave Langton
There are just 10 days to go before the window closes and most would agree new players are required at the club. That in itself is of course true but it’s all about quality rather than quantity.
So here we take a look at the signings David Moyes has made so far with him having said he only wants players who will improve the squad.
We don’t believe he has set the world alight with his West Ham recruitment.
These are our ratings and we would like to hear your views.
Areola: Done reasonably well on his Euro appearances…the real PL test is yet to come 6
Dawson: A truly outstanding signing on loan from Watford before becoming permanent. 9
Kral: Loan signing who was given next to no chance 2
Aguerd: Injured retrieving a lost ball in pre-season and likely to be out for a couple of more months. No rating
Vlasic: Same as above but one point less that Kral as he cost £27 million 1
Soucek: Brilliant first season – downhill since 6
Coufal: As above and can’t cross a ball 5
(Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Bowen Best signing along with Dawson and has become an England player under Moyes 9
Lingard: Started so well but went off boil towards end of loan spell 8
Benrahma: Started this season okish which gives him an extra mark but has been highly inconsistent by and large 5
Zouma: Beginning to look a very expensive signing at £30 million since Catgate 6
Kehrer: Early days 4 at this stage
Downes: No rating
Cornet Ditto Kehrer 5
Scamacca: Has shown very little apart from a goal in the Euro Conference play off match . More to come? 4
The Scamacca score is a little cruel, when he is bound by the tactics he is given and especially in his first game, did not get any service at all.
Coufal, used to like to cut in and now all of a sudden he is meant to be a Winger hitting the bye line. Incidentally, that tactic has been caught on to and gets stopped most of the time. Coming back from an Operation, he has been asked to play on the left and told what to do instead of being allowed to play his natural game.
Soucek, did well until Mr Moyes started to interfere with his style of play.
All the Players are bound by the Manager and there tactics or lack of them.
Can only rate on what we see and yes much is down to Moyes of course
Rating new signings based on 1 or 2 games is really a joke.
The ratings for Soucek and Coufal are harsh. I would agree based on current form which is way below the standard required, but they were part of the driving force behind our rise from relegation candidates to a top 6 or 7 team. They were great signings at the time for the money spent and the last few years of service they have given us. I’m all for upgrading now and Soucek’s performance yesterday was hard to watch but we can’t forget what the two of them brought to the club.
Have another read mate Soucek:
Brilliant first season – downhill since 6
Coufal: As above and can’t cross a ball 5
Yes I think it’s a fair assessment and particularly accurate re Soucek and Coufal, who are now Prem players. One big problem seems to be Moyes’ reluctance to play them from the start – Scamacca cannot get acclimatised to the Prem by being subbed on at two down into the same failing format. DM must use his recruits in a formation that suits them, and if he must sub, then read the game and change tactics if required – 5 subs!! On that note, drop Coufal and Soucek – and Antonio, use them as subs, play the recruits – you signed them!!!