Of the recruits so far brought into West Ham, one has been a left wing back, one has been a right wing back and one – just about – a striker. The next acquisition is, by all accounts, a new goal keeper to replace Fabianski and compete with Alphonse Areola who is average at best just now, and in any case, just one more back spasm away from a lay-off.
Despite the relentless criticism of the midfield last season, (christened the ‘midfield that could not run’), no changes were made last winter and the Hammers suffered as a consequence.
Under two weeks away from the start of the season, and the addition of – however well he’s played- Freddie Potts -could not be seen as the sole solution on his own to the Hammers midfield torpor, could he?
We spoke with our high-ranking West Ham source and suggested- surely– that the lack of pace and mobility in the midfield still needed addressing in this transfer window:
“Agreed” was the blunt admission that came back.
Bringing in the goal keeper upgrade and a midfielder with decent pace would still seem, then, to be on the summer window ‘to do’ list. And still within West Ham’ grasp financially depending on the choices made over how much is to be shelled out on a new shot-stopper.
What is clear is that Graham Potter’s existing midfield team selections are being made on reputation alone: Increasing observations are being made that Soucek, Ward-Prowse and Rodriguez have all lost whatever mobility they had and are now urgently in need of an upgrade.
The worry for many fans is that the Irons will have to make do and mend with yet another free signing to get the midfield through next season. Mentioning no names. But having been proved right about Callum Wilson, just about every Hammers fan can name the ‘almost’ thirty-something ex-Burnley free signing who is lurking and would be just another late-career ‘sticking plaster’ signing without moving West Ham forwards.
To be fair potter should say back me or I,m off.
Sullivan has no worries about finances,he gave money to last manager and it was wasted, can’t sell players we have ,says a lot.
A decent keeper,a forward, midfielder box to box,
it could change our season.
Get fed up looking at west ham transfer rumours, nothing materialises.
The “Sullivan effect” now evident to everyone.
If only David Sullivan was the billionaire chairman in charge of transfers at West Ham he might be able to do something about buying much needed young energetic midfielders…oh hang on
How has our team been allowed to get into a position where it needs a keeper, a striker and at least one midfielder just to be competitive next season. Its easy to blame sully and it is also his fault, but not everyone in the team was 100% his choice and there are too many below the standard. Sully deserves criticism but he also spent a significant amount last summer yet somehow our team is still so desperate for players. Why?
Not everyone in the team was 100% his choice and there are too many below the standard
Martin, Wilson may not be the striker we had hoped for but to say ” one – just about – a striker” is pretty disrespectful for a guy who has had 111 goal involvements in 238 appearances, notwithstanding has represented his country at a World Cup! Let’s hope he proves us all wrong.
Got to get a decent keeper but that will leave little money for anyone else. Next priority is midfield as you say so suggests maybe a loan with an obligation to buy if anyone is willing to accept this. A sad state of affairs but it is the reality caused by previous mismanagement. It will take a few good transfer windows to get us out of this mess.
Beggars can’t be choosers springs to mind. I don’t think Soucek’s mobility isnt a problem he gets up and down just fine, he is not great on the ball compared to others though he makes up for that with his ability in both boxes and defensive efforts. As for JWP and Rodriguez they seem off the pace required and in JWP’s case it’s not fitness he is one of the fittest at the club it’s positioning and an inability with a moving ball to play incisive passes.
We need more aggressive pressers with technical ability, pace and ideally goal threat, we need to win the ball back more often higher up the pitch, culling the team of the deadwood would be a good start and hopefully give Fearon some more minutes he looks upto rising to the challenge like Rice did.
Was looking at our fixture list and it’s hard to pick out any easy games, Sunderland, Leeds, Burnley, Everton and maybe Wolves, Brentford are an unknown, without a midfield transplant and more physicality could be a long hard season.
Can someone tell Sullivan he is only allowed 5 free signings this season 🤣 That will spoil his day
Every fan knows it’s Sullivan who is cheap and hence in this position. Not good enough DS