The news from earlier that West Ham United have added another experienced English League recruiter to their midst on the face of it sounds like good news. With five first team players now departed the club and pre-season almost complete, the need to bring in replacements was evident to anyone who watched the Rangers game.
West Ham were toothless going forward and without creativity in midfield. And without pace across the pitch.
Former head of scouting at Southampton Ben Chorley has been added to the Hammers’ resources apparently to beef up knowledge of the English Leagues: Which kind of begs the question as to why they didn’t recruit an ‘expert’ in the first place.
Nils Koppen arrived from Copenhagen with only out-of-date knowledge of the Scottish Leagues from his time at Rangers but would hardly be described as an ‘expert’ in the English second and third tier. West Ham fans have renewed their season tickets in record numbers based on blind faith that Daniel Kretinsky’s fine words will be followed up with a team ready to take on the championship.
Replacements needed for Disasi (above) Summerville, Fernandes, Traore..Wilson..
As it stands at present Disasi, Wilson, Summerville, Traore and Fernandes have gone and not been replaced. Golambeckis, Marshall, Ajala, Orford and Earthy may be willing but they are not like-for-like replacements, as we saw yesterday. One wonders how long Nuno would stick around if he had to start the campaign with the players named on yesterday’s squad sheet.
Urgent action is needed or fans, too, will end their new-board honeymoon period. If new players don’t arrive in this window then the squad which we saw yesterday will be fighting for its life in the toughest league in the world rather than sweeping all before it.
Let’s hope Chorley knows his stuff and that the Hammers really do have a decent budget to strengthen Nuno’s resources before 2nd September. Because the alternative doesn’t bear thinking about.
Golambeckis and Orford look like they could grow into the roles and the only way to find that out is to give them a shot. We already know from his time at Portsmouth Potts is Championship good enough. Kante will be close if played in position and Earthy is close with quality around him, LaMadrid might given games grow into it as a winger and we should be playing Cornet who at least has some pace.