Nuno Espirito Santo can’t take all the blame for Sunday’s loss of two points after leading at Turf Moor.
One look at the squad depth is enough to see that West Ham are already playing with a wafer-thin squad. Starting a match day with two former academy graduates making their league debuts was risky – but essential – and including five further youngsters on the bench is a pretty stark reminder of the paucity of depth.
Josh Ajala, George Earthy, Airidas Golambeckis, Josh Landers and Ezra Mayers as options might offer youthful exuberance and energy but not first team solidity.
So when today’s reports suggest another first team regular – and indeed West Ham’s only alternative to another youngster, Ollie Scarles, is on the point of being sold it is easy to predict the response of West Ham fans. Uproar? Possibly.
West Ham’s Diouf is close to a Brentford exit, reportedly
The only possible reason for selling el Hadji Malick Diouf this late-on in the window would be to re-invest the resulting £35 million to cover a full rebuild of the missing 3 or 4 players – at the very least – which Sunday’s performance demands.
News out of Senegal claims a deal is just about done between Brentford and West Ham:
‘El Hadji Malick Diouf, Brentford and West Ham close to an agreement
After submitting a formal offer of about €41 million, with up to €5.9 million in bonuses, Brentford would now be very close to reaching an agreement with West Ham for El Hadji Malick Diouf. According to our information, the discussions between the two clubs have progressed significantly and an agreement is now imminent.’ (wiwisport)
Without wishing to whip up fan responses, if that ‘Diouf to Brentford sale‘ story is true and comes to fruition, you’d surely expect supporters to be demanding that £35 million quid gets re-invested in the threadbare squad. And not next January. Now.
But you tell me. Good business or further evidence of an exodus.
I’m miffed about the Potts sale, £10 million wouldn’t cover a replacement !!
Diouf is not worth 35m so we should sell. Plenty of left backs around to replace him and allow Scarles further development.
ummm would we have paid £35-40 million for Diouf ? ? probably not , and if invested back into the team that is again probably 2 decent Champioship full-backs ! and if we get £25 million for Wan-Bissaka then that’s a Parrott right there (if that’s who we’re really chasing and if he wants to join an English Championship Club) . But as “J” says below we can’t “ moan about youngsters not getting opportunities in the first team and then complain when they’re included that they’re not good enough to be there“ , if they can’t play for us in the Championship then when are they going to be able to play for us ? ? x
It’s all Knee jerk to me and said this elsewhere, had Scarles not put in that reckless challenge we would have been celebrating a 0-2 win and hailing the likes of Kante and Orford along with Scarles. As one comment says, those that have been sold have been for money we couldn’t refuse the others are players that don’t want to be here. Squad unity is key, under Moyes first couple of seasons we didn’t have a great squad but players that wanted to be there and play for the shirt so we over achieved with the quality we had. This result, in the fullness of time may come to be viewed as a good point away to Burnley but as it is after being so dominant it feels deflating. Keep the faith and we will get better and strengthen where we need to.
I have done a google search Martin about Ollie Scarles transfer news and the only thing that came up was Man Utd might being interested but that was about a month ago.So where have you heard about these reports you mentioned?
He was talking about diouf not scarles being the youngster being sold, he’s only 21
I disagree in that I am glad to see the youngsters on the bench.
However, I think as soon as the manager says we will bounce back in one season, it automatically infers recruitment of best available players and limited use of Academy. If using Ajala, Golambeckis, Orford, Kante, Battrum, perhaps Earthy meant missing out on promotion first time around, but the manager thinks these lads will come good and we stand a chance of getting mid table in readiness for a promotion bid in 27/28, I’d be all for it.
Adding players such as Solomon & Engels would be part of a steady rebuild.
Nobody knows whether Noble, Koppen, NES, U21 coaches truly believe these youngsters can develop into good championship players and then PL ready players. From watching a few U21 matches, fans have no way of judging – well. I can’t, anyhow.
I personally would be fine for the club to rebuild using youngsters, a few experienced players and some recruitment such as Engles, but that is not the current storyline. C&H & anyone else including NES, want to buy their way back to the PL and do it now. IF returning to the PL is an imperative for the survival of the club, that is another matter beyond my ken.
As for Diouf, he has great potential but needs coaching, same as Scarles, Magassa, …
At a guess I’d say Orford & Kante need advice, guidance and will make it on their own otherwise. So long story short, if Diouf stays it is because 1st team setup and manager’s intention is to take the time to coach and improve players they trust to come good.
So, now it is my turn to ask a question: Do NES, Noble & Koppen believe all the youngsters mentioned stand a good chance of making it as top players if they are given the chance to develop AND are properly coached one-on-one, or is the WHU Academy not even close to reaching the standards required for the Championship?
Sold us fans down the river No wonder our super Czec is a billionaire HOPE SLAVERY sorry about the spelling COMES IN TO SAVE OUR CLUB
Keep saying, Championship football 2 to 3 years! Hope not but can’t see anything else at the moment. Not playing great, same issues with defending and not seeing out the game. Need 3 or 4 players minimum and then strengthen the bench, not going to happen before the transfer window shut.
Anyone know if these players wanted to leave and play in the top flight?
Keeping a player against their will usually ends badly.
Have WH sanctioned the sale on the basis it’s good money for a player who can’t defend and puts in 1 out of 3 good crosses?
I agree the squad depth is worrying 100% and we need more players in the door but it won’t be like for like in terms of quality as most won’t want to drop into the Championship.
We need to add players but when we talk about exodus can we look at it a bit closer in terms of the outgoings and look at individually. Matt’s saying 16 players potentially out, Kris was only 10 days ago congratulating the board on keeping the squad together.
All makes for good fun and something to read. Keep the faith.
Players out
Fernandez – Crazy money and wanted out
Summerville – same
AWB – Wants out £25m? Brilliant business
Diouf – crazy money, wants out? Who knows.
Disasi – end of loan
Traore – same
BFG – waste of space
Cornet – same
Wilson – end of contract
Marshall – odd departure for me
Potts – same
Having turned down £40m from Sunderland, why would we accept this? Sounds like Diouf and his agent stirring the pot again. I still think there is every chance Kretinsky the fool will sell him by the way, but not for £35m. And as for reinvesting, I wouldn’t hold my breath on that score. I’m still holding out because Palace haven’t got Desasi over the line and we might be his only option.
Does Kretinsky have full control then? Must’ve missed it.
Please don’t reference the previous statement as things have moved on since then.
Yes you must have missed it. Don’t be so naive.
Desai to Palace nearly done We need a c back though mate urgently plus a full back to
Hadn’t seen that Mick. Real shame. We can’t run with Mav, Kilman and one youngster no matter how promising he is. Maybe Veltman will be our new Dawson???
I’m not sure we can moan about youngsters not getting opportunities in the first team and then complain when theyre included that they’re not good enough to be there. I know we all do it but maybe the hyping up of youth team players is overdone.