West Ham United fans have welcomed two new signings through the stadium doors since the transfer window opened just six days ago.
The fact that the pair are both striker additions to the side makes the whole situation most un-West Ham like: As supporters, we are used to going endless windows without ONE goal scorer being added to the squad.
However with the ‘reinforce goal threat‘ box now ticked, the club move on to the next priority – stopping goals going in at the other end – and here the strong possibility exists that Nuno Espirito Santo is going to repeat Graham Potter’s huge summer mistake and prioritise a goal keeper signing over centre-back upgrades.
Potter spent over £15 million on Mads Hermansen in the summer window, rubber stamping the sale of Aguerd with no replacement incoming at the same time.
As widely reported in the dailymail.co.uk amongst other sources:
“Nuno is seeking a loan deal for Brazilian keeper Bento with a loan and £10 million option”
Which seems a strange priority now with Areola back to his best and Hermansen kicking his heels as a back-up.
Hermansen- Potter’s priority over a centre back signing
The disaster that has befallen the Hammers in the Autumn is due, in no small measure, to that decision of Potter’s to buy Hermansen instead of another centre back.
West Ham’s defensive deficiencies have been brutally exposed now that Jean Clair Todibo is injured.
With and only Kilman and Mavropanos in the squad – Nuno clearly doesn’t trust loanee Igor – West Ham have no alternative to the Keystone Cops defending which the duo provide.
Hermansen was destroyed by three terrible defensive performances (and his own mistakes) and without a major defensive overhaul to provide some quality ahead of him, any new goal keeper will struggle to keep out the corners and crosses to which West Ham continually fall victim.
Could we do any worse than trying Soucek at CB? He’s brave and doesn’t mind getting stuck in…
Coyi
As I see it we have 3 senior centre backs and 1 under 21 player coming through. The under 21 player shouldn’t be put under that sort of pressure Mav. is average, and Todibo is slightly better than average. Leaves Kilman, who is out of his depth and shouldn’t really be playing. We need a centre back who is a leader, shouting organising controlling the back line. Been like that since the Moyse days. So go buy one Nuno
We can get by with Areola. Our two poor centre backs make the goalkeeper appear worse than he is, as they give him no protection.
New Centre backs are a must.
I make John right. Areola has his faults,the main being is not dominating his box but with Kilman and Mavropanos as CB there is always a mistake waiting to happen and they are not exactly the bravest of players. New CB’s are needed asap,one who can also talk and direct,as much as Bowen is a great player for us I think he is laboured by being captain.
3 points tonight lads,let’s go for it ⚒️⚒️⚒️⚒️
Agreed but I read Areola and Nuno fell out as did Wilson and Nuno
Did Areola criticise Nuno as I read here earlier? If so, any idea what was said? Hopefully this is a replacement for Mads and not Alphonse but depends on the reported criticism from our current number one of the boss.
No worry they’re going to buy goalkeeper AND 2 experienced defenders.
Loads of money (and cheaper than relegation).
Don’t think Sully’s remortgaging his house.
New Centre Back and experienced midfielder ( a leader with some fire in his belly) are non negotiable if this club has the remotest chance of survival. In truth, need a couple more as well !