Ryan Fredericks is top of the list for a Hammers departure this winter despite manager David Moyes claiming nobody will be on their way.
That is after all what most managers say in order to stop any dressing room worry.
I have little doubt either that were Robert Snodgrass – a guy for whom I have the utmost admiration -m o be the subject of a small offer before he is out of contract the club would take a fee for him too.
With Vladimir Couval now installed as an immoveable No 1 right back the time is probably right to ensure that young Ben Johnson develops under his tutelage as No 2 whilst taking what is available for the former Fulham man.
Given his lack of action this term it may well be that manager Moyes has made up his mind about Snoddy of whom I have no doubt could perform still at a decent Championship club.
Andriy Yarmolenko – another 30 plus performer – is another who may get a move should get a move if an offer comes in but beyond that it’s tricky seeing where else any finance could be raised.
However, I have few doubts that the board will again bring in one or two – be it at small fees or on loan – as has been their way over their period in football ownership.
Left back and centre forward please.
Agree about the 3 sales – although I think Yarma has the potential x-factor, he’s never been fit.
We need a LB, ST and a back up CM. It’s crazy to think Rice and Soucek will play 90 mins every week – Lundstram for a nominal fee would be an excellent back up addition.
A window where we signed:
Lucas Olaza (LB)
Lundstram (CM)
Bruno Petkovic/Josh King (ST)
We would be laughing with those positions filled.
I know this will be an unpopular point of view but to me i have seen nothing that would stop me selling Diop for a big fee if it came in. His first season he seemed to do pretty well but last season and at the start of this, including the other night against Palace, he hasn’t seemed to be the commanding presence we need or expected from him. Is it because he was playing as the left centre back with Fab in his first year and this season and last he has been playing on the right, perhaps?
We have Reid back as an option, Dawson as cover too and Oggy and The General playing brilliantly so far and if we got £35-40m for him we could really go to town on the positions we need players for.
Maybe January wouldn’t be the ideal time to sell any but the most peripheral players but surely worth a look in the summer, no?
I agree with all of that. Diop was a beast but seems to have lost it. I’d be sorry to lose Snoddy if it came to it. But if we could raise some dosh selling these players in order to fill the LB and centre forward (yes I know, I’m old fashioned!) roles, just imagine what the team could achieve.
I still think Diop has potential so the money would have to be very good, as described by Saul. Isn’t going to happen as he isn’t worth that much.
Having watched Tarwkowski prop up Burnley yesterday, playing behind the dumbest midfield in the EPL, I feel he is worth saving for. Moyes has made some judicious purchases and should be allowed to build the team slowly. CB or LB or CF in January. Not all three.
Agree re Diop .. Yeah, it’s difficult coming back after a while out, but there’s better strikers than Benteke around .. He’s caught under the ball, as he often us, for a Benteke header on goal, then he’s a distant 2nd to a ball that was not whipped in and came a long way .. This was 1st half, before he might have got tired ..