By Hughie Southon
West Ham are back in the market for a central defender as their problems in the position continue.
Injury to Nayf Aguerd has caused a big problem at the back and with Issa Diop insisting on his move to Fulham the manager is being forced to rethink his approach to the remainder of the window,
Craig Dawson was expected back for the game against City and it remains to be seen if the player will be ready for Forest.
But the manager has admitted that Angelo Ogbonna remains some way off being ready to start, all of which may leave Ben Johnson as the only current option.
And we understand this means that the club will be hoping to bring in further cover in the position although it will probably be as a loan rather than a permanent signing.
The club is refusing to identify any possible targets but have told CandH that they are looking at one of two possible options
I have no sympathy for Moyes…Ogbonna serious injury last season 33/34/yrs old he needed replacing same as Dawson wonderful season tremendous transfer aquisition but again well past his sell by date they both needed replacing this window you cannot be sentimental in this game great servants to the club but younger players needed..Cressy the same Antonio knackered cant keep up with the workload again over 30 needs help and rest….but Moyes persisted and the team jusr died on there feet…Vlasic/Benrahama when played played out of position look really bad and so you dont see them…they play in middle behind a front man but no square pegs round holes and here we are 4 weeks to window shuts and seemingly still no clue as to what he wants.
Agree with Cleasm totally and to make sure he moved on Alese who was U23 captain because ‘not many opportunities for him’ so we play Johnson out of position? We knew the window was coming, now it’s nearly gone and where are we? Bumbling into chaos.
Moyes has made a rod for his own back with playing the same few players every game for three seasons, if no one can get in to the first team eventually people get dejected which has happened en masse, he also didn’t play the players that had got him there in the latter Euro rounds which probably pee’ed them off further.
He has said not to underestimate the rebuild, this should have been happening in previous windows but whoever is responsible couldn’t get the deals over the line or hadn’t done the research on whether these players were willing to join… This window we are already onto third or beyond choices, if the players Moyes wanted to sign and had deals accepted for had signed we would be quite upbeat and positive. As it is they haven’t and worse in quite a few cases have chosen to relegation candidates to move too.
Have to agree – we looked tired against City, as we did all throughout our pre-season – that’s not down to number of games played – that’s down to squad rotation and conditioning work – neither of which we appear to be benefitting from…
I was hoping we’d go into this season with some new spark – a new desire to break into the Top 6 (which is distinctly possible with Man Utd being such a shambles) but whilst I’m happy with our signings to date, there aren’t enough of them – we need another forward, another CB and a dedicated LB (although I hope Cornet helps there). Bennie needs to be played where Lanzini is – as a 10 – behind Scamacca. Antonio could also play on the right (where he started for us) and come in to support Scamacca when possible (if Bowen isn’t there.
Against anyone but the top 5, I would like us to play with 1 DM rather than 2, so we’re not so static and predictable.
Well said Cleasm you are spot on there with your comments. Also why did we waste all that time putting 4 bids in for onana and then moyes says he doesn’t want him? Should have had players lined up at the beginning of the window so they have a chance to gel with the team. So typical west ham this…