David Moyes chances of signing a striker as back up – or to compete with Mickey Antonio – have all but sunk to zero.
And the reality is that we are likely to face our most inactive transfer window in years although we have learned the manager is still focused on a central defender as his priority before deadline day.
We have also learned – without any names being given – that we are chasing a Jesse Lingard TYPE player with just a 50/50 chance of landing the player concerned.
That will put an end to speculation concerning the Manchester United player who now looks certain to remain at Old Trafford.
All the signals are that Jarrod Bowen will be used as a centre forward should – as is now expected – the much needed front man does not arrive at the club this summer.
It was noticeable over the 90 minutes of the Newcastle game that Mickey was often switching with Benrahma and Bowen raising the suspicion that we could well see a false 9 set up at times during the season.
Moyes looks certain to miss out on his number one priority signing Kurt Zouma as we reported earlier having rejected the chance to sign Fiorentina’s Nikola Milonkovic.
Sorry there is no excuse. I hope every Season ticket holder and every ordinary fan votes with their feet and say sorry we could not manage to turn up this Season. Given that you could not manage to be bothered to buy the Players we need. Oh dear I appear to have deferred my Season ticket. Maybe next Season you will get the message.
We may be playing well at the moment.As soon as injuries take their toll thats the season done. Disgraceful state of affairs Deserve all thats coming to us.And if we are not careful a season of struggle .Quit simply not enough players -short at the back -ONE STRIKER and a short midfield who like the rest of the team will be overplayed and worn out. ABOLUTE DISGRACE.
Great Hugh , you said yesterday we had the funds available . I’m not digging at you personally BTW I know your just reporting what you know ! It seems to me we don’t have funds we have known about the need for a striker since Haller left & a defender as a priority. . We have shot ourselves in the foot with Milenkovic and no striker target . As a fan this window is so disappointing with Europe. Our transfer policy seems all over the place we should be doing better then this. The team are great Hugh they have the support but to expect them to compete in so many games without the opportunity for rotation is foolhardy !
It’s not about funds – it’s about Moyes not getting who he wants. It’s ridiculous and I’m disgusted
Here here !
This could be the undoing of moyes. I cannot believe there is not even ONE player out there who can do a decent job for us up front. What is the point of qualifying for Europe if you don’t get a squad big enough to compete in it. I can see us playing weak reserve teams and getting dunped out before the first round is over. Let’s see how many fans are ok with not signing anyone then David.
So pleased we’re not paying reciculous amounts for players who don’t fit the mould, don’t have the right character or drive, or don’t want to be at West Ham in the first place but are only signing because they’re coerced into it by some money grabbing agent or club. What we want are players with the right nature, character and attitude who will fit in with the players weve already got. Players who are hungry but humble and grateful for the opportunity. Players who are happy to be at West Ham. So glad we didn’t pay the exhorbitant agents fees for milenkovic for example, a player who really wasn’t keen on moving from Italy in the first place by the sounds of it. I’m happy that Moyes is his own man and won’t fall for anyone trying to bully him into signing any player he doesnt feel will cut it.
Accept all that But weve had EIGHT months to find a striker and let Balbuena go. Simply not good enough.Appalling .
Don’t forget that we can play Bowen as a striker but also Yarmolenko who is pretty decent as a striker for Ukraine.
hE WAS RUBBISH UP FRONT FOR US – INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL MUCH SLOWER
You are right. But that wont do it for us.Certainly not as a matter of course.
Can’t say I remember him playing for us as a striker but as a back up to Bowen and Antonio I’d say he wouldn’t be a bad shout if your not going to give one of the youngsters a go, like odubeko or oko flex. I also think yarmolenko is fitter now than he was having had a proper pre season plus the euros. Last year he was coming back from injury.
TWICE …DONT RECALL THE GAMES BUT HE WAS POOR
If international football is slower Hugh by the way, then maybe that plus Yarmos experience in European competition would mean he could do a job for us in the European games this year?
maybe Clive. He wasnt great up front in PL
He’s always been a great finisher though for a wide man. I would play him in a false nine with Bowen and Benrahma and have the three switching roles to keep the opposition guessing.