West Ham caught in a transfer muddle
I have to admit, I’ve been left scratching my head as our beloved club stumbles along in 14th place. A season full of mediocrity looms, with little hope of climbing the Premier League table unless the board takes decisive action. Unfortunately, at a time when urgency is required, it appears the Hammers have settled into a comfort zone of simply avoiding relegation.
Let’s face it—Julen Lopetegui’s style isn’t clicking, and players like Niclas Füllkrug and Emerson feel like square pegs in round holes. Meanwhile, Tim Steidten, our director of football, keeps signing talent that doesn’t suit the manager’s tactical preferences. It’s a mess, and the fact that agent Will Salthouse was pictured with Chairman David Sullivan suggests even more cooks will be involved in what West Ham are cooking in the transfer market.
From my perspective, it’s clear we’re stuck in a painful halfway house. Lopetegui wants pacey strikers, dynamic midfielders, and full-backs who can whip in dangerous crosses. But the current squad isn’t delivering, and the frustration is growing match by match.
The board has two clear choices: either back the gaffer in January with the players he needs to execute his vision, or hand the reins to Steidten entirely. Let him pick a head coach who aligns with his recruitment strategy, and start rebuilding from there.
What’s not working is this half-baked compromise where neither Lopetegui nor Steidten gets full control. For the sake of the fans and the club, it’s time to make a bold decision. Until then, the dream of Europe feels like a distant memory
I see from reports we are after another 31 year old premier league failure. Must be cheap… so much for the pearl diver ..
What we need is a born leader who’s capable of connecting with the players who ever they are, Mr nobles my man for the job?
It suits David Sullivan to have this split between J.Lo & Steidten because it means he retains control.
So what is Steidten’s “vision?” It appears that whatever it is doesn’t align with the plans of our egotistical owner. Furthermore it seems his reputation for unearthing hidden gems doesn’t ring true either. We have a weak manager, a self-obsessed Chairman and a Technical Director who can’t live up to the hype.
None of it bodes well for an upturn from the utter mediocre dross on the pitch or the continuing circus off it
The manager was in situ early Summer, are you suggesting the type of player he required wasn’t discussed at that time? I find that assumption hard to believe
The DoF , Steidten is supposed to sign the coach and the players , end of story . What happens if coach , chairman , DoF and others have a say in signings is a random bunch of players and coach unsuited to each others style , vis a vis Westham . We hated the Moyes style of small team tactics and wanted a more progressive coach but instead got the unsuccessful version of a Spanish Moyes . Westham need 60 points or so for European football , 40 more points in 21 games ( 10W 10D 1 L ) . Not a chance in hell of Lopetegui achieving that . What will happen if he’s not sacked now is the best players will leave and top players won’t sign because Westham will be a bottom third team .
As a long time fan, why do we always buy players from literally one agent, Mr. Salthouse. it feels like a racket!
Also i agree there are to may chiefs and not enough braves, The managers playing style though, in my opinion, is literally non existent and I don’t even know what the gaffer desires. It has been half a year and i can’t tell what his system is. if i cant tell, i know the players are struggling to figure it out too.
Also why do we always buy defenders who suck, then leave and do good elsewhere. We obviously have a coaching issue in the team!!
What’s the Emerson comment he played in his best position and has hardly been any issue companies to most. Very strange comment
Couldn’t agree more mate as a frustrated life long supporter from Oz I get up at midnight every weekend to watch my beloved hammers and it’s very frustrating to watch..if only we had bought John Duran and a decent midfielder who could run!!..oh well such is life being a hammers supporter COYI
i have an option that hasn’t been mentioned …..Get a new technical director whilst Lopetegui is not the right man for West Ham Steindten certainly has not chosen well with his summer signings maybe he is out of his depth in England just like his player selection
Fulkrug’s not a square peg in a round hole, he’s just too old and slow for the Premier League. Simples.
Moron
Emerson’s been with us for 2.5 years and Fullkrug has been injured and not figured in our season. I’m missing your point