Opinions seem very mixed about WestHam United’s latest addition to the Nuno Espírito Santo ‘rebalancing’ campaign. Adama Traore is undoubtedly the head coach’s pick, being a firm favourite from their Wolves days but the claret and blue jury is evidently ‘hung’ as to the impact the permanent signing will have as a West Ham attacker.
With just twelve goal involvements from his time at Fulham, the former Spain international brings experience and a certain muscularity – along with a history seemingly lacking an end product – to the front line.
Nuno himself has no doubts of the benefits his new winger brings:
“He will give us a different option in attacking areas. He is also very motivated to fight for us and ready to bring energy, commitment and determination to our challenge.”
And at odds with the mixed opinions from fans, SkySports pundit Jamie O’Hara is in no doubt as to the benefits which Traore brings:
He’s a good signing Adama Traore, because [this move] links him back up with Nuno: Nuno likes to play a low block and on the counter attack.
Traore comes in – he can get you up the pitch – he’s fast, he’s direct – his end product has been a bit of a question mark but I think he’s a good signing for West Ham.”
You can only hope that Traore will win over the West Ham fan base pretty much in the same way Callum Wilson has done: Game by game, performing on the pitch and changing opinions of a supporter group who will, if nothing else, surely be fair in their assessment. Keep an open mind, then..
O’Hara is convinced that adding Traore does help the Hammers’ cause in surviving their relegation battle:
“They can still find their way out of trouble: I think they’ve given themselves a platform to get themselves out of it”
Still much to do in this last week of the window before West Ham can feel prepared with an adequate, “rebalanced” squad.
Bitter experience prevents fans from expecting anything more than disappointment between now and 2nd February. Just for once, it would be nice to be pleasantly surprised. We live in hope. Optimistic enough for you?
To be fair Traore probably as good as Antonio at doing the bulk in the china shop get us up the pitch stuff, if he can only learn to pass the ball to someone else once he’s up there because let’s face it his end product ain’t great.
What we need is a January window the likes of the one which brought in Bowen and Souchek but don’t think we’re going to get it. We needed to buy quality when we’d been in Europe three years in a row, instead they undermined Moyes by bringing in Tim Steidten to oversee transfers. No winder Moyes banned Steidten from the training ground when you look at money he squandered.
I think he is great to bring on with 30 minutes to go tired defenders he is their worst nightmare despite his poor end product he will cause panic just imagine him one on one on the break. Nuno has got the best out of him before so fingers crossed.
No body cares what Jamie O’hara thinks
As a back up for tired or injured Bowen then yes, he gives us something different, but he can’t replace a fit and firing Bowen? No chance. Hopefully we’ll be pleasantly surprised like with Wilson! I never wanted him, now I think we need to keep him forever ha ha. At least he brings strength and Vaseline, something we’ve never had. Hopefully he’ll be a handful during corners at both ends. Hopefully he’ll bring some extra fight⚒️⚒️⚒️⚒️
Elbows out and flying through the opposition causing mayhem. Traore is the type we have been missing for years. If he can score a couple as well that will be a bonus. What he will do is occupy the attention of the opponents leaving spaces for Taty, Pablo, Jarrod and the rest to pick up the pieces and take advantage. Bit like Benrahma but with weighty purpose and an end result.
The days of tippy tappy, possession Lopetegui boredom have finished for this season. Just need Stuart Pearce and Julian Dicks to lock out at the back and we are sorted.
Enjoy watching us go now. COYI
I just don’t want to see him playing instead of Bowen on the right and playing him up front instead. Don’t change the system that’s got us three wins on the trott just to find a place for him.