(Photo by BEN STANSALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
By Hughie Southon
4.50pm January 19, 2022
West Ham’s winter window plans are still in a place of uncertainty with little or no progress made on the striker requirement and with a central defender still not tied down.
David Moyes has claimed publicly that he can see some activity across the League in the last couple of weeks but with 12 days left we are apparently still struggling to get involved.
Moyes has failed to agree on any of the options he has had put before him although we have been told “there is a the possibility of one big signing but not necessarily really a position we need.”
The secrecy surrounding West Ham transfer dealings under Moyes continue to fascinate but our key insider’s revelation that we may be signing a player for a position where we are ok is odd given the circumstances.
However, the manager is still hunting for a suitable central defender although given the circumstances it seems that neither James Tarkowski or Nathan Phillips is seen as the answer.
He is also explaining to his backroom staff and the board that the names he has seen aren’t any better than we already have in his opinion.
Great that Moyes won’t accept any old signing and only wants players better than what we have already. How much if it is him staying loyal to the players that already got us into such a good position in the league and in Europe over the last couple of years though I wonder.
Basically Newman has not done his job if you are saying Moyes has not approved any of the names put in front of him. For sure something is going wrong in the recruitment process and it is unfortunate in that it is going to kill our hopes of top 4.
Well this was what most wanted so hope ur wrong
To be honest, I’m quite pleased we’re no longer doing our business through the media. As a supporter, I do also enjoy seeing the news beforehand, but deep down, I like that there is a little bit more discretion and professionalism about dealings.
The last two January windows under Moyes have been brilliant: Bowen and Soucek, then Lingard the next year. I’ll judge this one after we actually see what happens.
Regardless, I think the transfers are going well at the club. There have been a couple of blips, such as Kral (who really doesn’t seem to be trusted). I’m not ready to write Vlasic off though, he hasn’t lit things up yet, but maybe next year. It’s a famously difficult league after all. But, all in all, the windows have been of a consistently high quality. You only have to go back to windows of Billic after the last season at the Boleyn, and Pellegrini’s record signings following that, to see how much of an improvement things are.