West Ham coach Alan Irvine has been addressing the subject on the lips of most – the Irons search for a back up striker.
Speaking after t the FA Cup fourth round victory e was keen to echo the thoughts of boss David Moyes.
Asked about the search for a replacement striker he toed the party line by insisting that the most important thing is to bring in the right person and not sign someone for the sake of it.
The Hammers coach praised Andriy Yarmolenko saying it was great to see that he can play in that position if required.
He said it was probably a bit early for ‘Dapo Afolayan in terms of where his career is going at the moment but it was lovely for him to get his debut and goal today.
Irvine added it was very encouraging the way Yarmo performed upfront, insisting he has played there before and we know the ability to do so again if called upon.
I for one was pleased with Yarmo being played up front and his movement and performance. I’ve been in the camp calling for that because he is an international used to linking play and is lethal given opportunities to strike. Not the complete answer, agreed, and they know that. But for me, better than the Haller option and we have some young talent wanting to show as well.
I think that it is quite likely that we will not get a striker – I am not sure how Palace seemed to get a striker out of nowhere (and also we domn’t yet know if he is any good) and Palace now have 4 strikers (the new guy, Benteke, Jordan Ayew and Batshuayi) as well as Zaha – but in general the market seems quite tight and most clubs are cash strapped – not getting a striker could cost Man City the league and similarly not getting a central defender could cost Liverpool the league
I believe that Moyes and team are trying to get a striker – if we don’t then we will have to do our best with the players at our disposal rather than moan about not having got in a striker (Harry comes to mind here)
Do you, like me, get the impression that there will not be a new striker this January. They keep building up Yarmo as can play any position as if they see him as a second striker.
I agree its not worth buying rubbish but I am not convinced of the willingness to seek a good striker out