The sense of disappointment was palpable amongst fans and blog sites yesterday when the thumbs down was given on West Ham’s pursuit of Troy Parrott, after seemingly investing weeks and weeks in working to complete a deal with AZ Alkmaar: In the end the Dutch wouldn’t deal at a West Ham- friendly figure, it would seem.
We are still none the wiser though over whether the Hammers did, in fact, agree terms with Parrott himself -who always seemed uncertain over a move to the Championship.
However, every cloud has a silver lining, and Leeds United fan sites and several outlets are suggesting the alternative signing now looming large – as a ‘wet’ loan with obligation apparently agreed between the two clubs last night– might just be perfect for West Ham’s promotion bid and that disappointed Hammers fans might need to rethink their dismay over the failure to land Troy Parrott.
At least, that was the claim last night from footballinsider, who’re convinced that Leeds striker Joel Piroe is something of a Championship goal scoring specialist and perfect for the Irons’ season to come:
“Joel Piroe’s full stats show why West Ham are completing a brilliant deal:
Joel Piroe – permission to undergo medical at West Ham
Piroe has a history of scoring goals in the Championship, having fired Leeds to the Premier League with 19 in the 2024-25 season.
Piroe averaged 2.97 shots – in the 96th percentile of all players in the league – and 1.08 chances created per game, with an average of 4.57 touches in the opposition box.
Incredibly, the striker’s 0.50 expected goals per game was in the top six per cent of the Championship, and his 0.47 non-penalty expected goals per game matched by only 2.4 per cent of the league.”
Lies, damned lies and statistics as the saying goes. Hopefully Footballinsider’s optimism will prove well founded as Leeds gave their permission for Piroe to travel to West Ham for a medical last night ahead of a signing probably today.
Been a Hammers fan since early 60’s.
I’m very concerned that Nuno does not seem to have learnt his lessons of last season.
Unnecessary substitutions, and inviting pressure when we have a comfortable lead , and either end up with a draw or loose.
And the transfer window , slow work from all concerned, we need to speed up recruitment, and not broadcast to all and sundrie who we are interested in.
So come on Nuno,grow some balls and don’t be scared to attack.
C’mon you Irons .
Been a Hammers fan since early 60’s.
I’m very concerned that Nuno does not seem to have learnt his lessons of last season.
Unnecessary substitutions, and inviting pressure when we have a comfortable lead , and either end up with a draw or loose.
And the transfer window , slow work from all concerned, we need to speed up recruitment, and not broadcast to all and sundrie who we are interested in.
So come on Nuno,grow some balls and don’t be scared to attack.
C’mon you Irons .
A decent signing for the Championship and if we do go up he will be a useful squad member. The point made on here already about who will do the high pressing is important though, especially as NS does not seem to favour a specialist defensive midfielder and we are still a bit iffy at the back.
There seems to be a lot of outgoings but only a few coming in, we were fed the message ‘no more players need to be sold’. It seems that there will be a number of more outgoings.
I get that the deadwood needs to be moved on but the squad is beginning to look a tad threadbare.
I will hold full judgement until the window closes, not overly impressed so far though. 34yr defender, spurs & Leeds squad players & only one decent guy from Celtic.
Judging the performance against Burnleym not much has changed since last season, throw away leads in the last few minutes.
All comments about how great Piroe is ignore the stark facts! He played in a Leeds team that played bold attacking football who provided him with great delivery. He might be a good finisher, but is also slow with poor movement. He also failed in the Premier League.
1. So assuming we are targeting a quick return to the Premier League why sign a player on loan with an obligation to buy if he can’t hack it in the top tier? It makes little sense and we ende signing a player permanently at the exact time we are in a League he isn’t suited to.
2. Nervous Nuno likes to set up teams not to lose with a low block(Forest were bottom of Premier League stats for high turnovers and possession – source Sky Sports). The deference is that Forest had pace in the side which West Ham don’t. Leeds attacking style gave Piroe a consistent service in dangerous positions, At West Ham he will be isolated. He can’t press as his movement is poor and no way will Taty do it for him who already is displaying b the effort amd attitude of someone who doesn’t want to be here anymore. Piroe will just join a long list of strikers that fail at West Ham.
The biggest problem is Nervous Nuno and until this changes we will drop points to any team that shows any form of attacking aggression.
And the man supplying him with that service… West Ham’s Manor Solomon.
If we sign him we need more, we need someone with scary pace, aggression and accuracy what happened to Dju who we were supposedly offered or Dieng who is scouting these players and why aren’t they looking at speed as one of the data points…
We will probably have the slowest team in the league or not far off, Diouf and Solomon have pace and Kante isn’t slow the rest however are average at best.
We score goals because of pace and our best goal moments have happened usually because of pace, Antonio, Arnautovic and going back Bellamy in recent times we have created breaks and had defenders outpace and catch our attackers…
What’s the obsession with pace these days. It’s not FIFA. Pace isn’t everything. Ask Adama Traore.
It is when you try to play a low lock, low possession style of play.
Why do we keep bringing players in on loans with an obligation to buy (Todibo) but send players out with an option to buy (Fullkrug)? We might go up despite him being no good, or he might get a career- threatening injury. If either of those happens we should be able to send him back to Leeds.
Most people complaining have never seen him play, probably never heard of him before. He sounds like a great signing and has a great track record in the Championship
Once again a negative story on here. It’s the same every time, you guys can do better.
How is this negative? “West Ham are completing a brilliant deal’ – the clue is in the headline.
Good solid payer Martin Hes proven Better deal than parrot in the long run
Loan deal where we don’t have to buy him unless we get promoted which should mean he’s been a success hopefully. What a brilliant signing if you ask me.
What about this winger from Norway, Daniel Job? squad cover, or youth team?
seems to be media led rather than confirmed interest, but we have to get a winger from somewhere…
A quality player who only made way because Calvert Lewin was doing so well. Have been impressed by him in the past. More decent business from Koppen.
I’d agree, John, and I also think Leeds are making big mistake selling Piroe and therefore gambling on DCL’s fitness which will end in ‘tears'(as in ACL tears) !
Great signing. Scores goals for fun in the championship. Proven at this level. What’s not to like.
That’s very optimistic of you and I agree 👍
If we achieve promotion and he isn’t up to Premier League then some clubs in the Championship either ambition to win promotion next season will undoubtedly be keen to sign him.