9 Comments

Obiang gone but loads of midfield options remain

Pedro Obiang’s departure has been completed and like most other fans we would wish the uncomplaining midfielder all the best for the future.

He has been a perfect pro in his behaviour over a difficult time in his career

The big question now of course is whether he will be replaced and despite some assurances from the boss that’s the plan I still have my doubts it will happen.

It will be hands in the air time should he do so but if the boss does go down that road one might easily asked why, given the weakness up top and at left back.

The Hammers collected just over €6 million for the 27 year old and lost around £2.5 million a year off the wage bill and given we have eleven midfielders all scrapping for a first team place I’m wondering quite what the rationale would be in replacing Obiang.

Were we talking Lanzini, Antonio, Noble, Snodgrass or on current form Wilshere,  I could see the point but for all his virtues one wonders just how badly Pedro will be missed or indeed why he would need replacing given the bodies available.

Right at this moment I remain convinced that we need another striker or left not another midfielder?

With just 14 days left of this window it seems to me that smoke and mirrors may be the order of the day!

COYI

 

About Hugh5outhon1895

Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!" Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon

9 comments on “Obiang gone but loads of midfield options remain

  1. Go get biling

  2. Coventry’s the dark hoarse to take his spot for me, but why knows what the managers thinking.

  3. There might be loads of midfielders but sadly if Rice gets injured we’re in big trouble so we need a defensive midfielder brought in the same with Haller we need back up its common sense,

    • Replacement def mid needed as squad player IMO. I wouldn’t be surprised if we got Medel. Can play in a number of def positions, has played in the PL and if Pelle can get the best out of him then he’d be useful.

  4. So Fernandez, Perez, Byram, Obiang and Aunautovic equate to about £40m
    Presumably Hugill and Oxford will bring ion little more than £5m
    And Browne and Cullen another £5m
    Hopefully money still in the pot based on this??

  5. And if Rice gets injured? We just play 4 defenders and 6 attackers?

    • Ben I’ve een moaning about the lack of Rice cover for weeks

      • Hugh, you say you’ve been moaning about the lack of Rice cover for weeks but at the same time you say you remain convinced that we need another striker or left back, not another midfielder. Not a very logical reasoning…

  6. It’s this simple we need 3 signings before the end of the window and we need to sell Hernandez (business) and Hugill. We need a player with legs in midfield to get across the ground quickly. We need a second striker and we need another winger in the mould of Anderson, pace, technique to create and take on players. I believe the second striker could be a free signing like Llorente. Medel I would not be totally against as he is tigerish as long as he has legs to get around the pitch and finally a top winger on loan with a view to buy, Malcolm of Barcelona for example. These will not cost a fortune in transfer fees if we are clever. Key to meet is selling Hernandez just not suited to our style of player.

Comments are closed.