After West Ham’s FA Cup victory against QPR, manager Nuno Espírito Santo once again spoke of “rebalancing the squad”. Good. Because as far as I can see, all he has done in the transfer window so far is unbalance his options.
Nuno was believed to have informed Hammers bosses that West Ham United lacked strikers, wingers, creativity and central defenders. Which makes it all the more puzzling why the club’s only back-up winger was sold to Sporting Lisbon and, with George Earthy leaving too, we were left without an attacking midfielder.
A quick glance at the bench showed only new recruit Pablo as an attacking option. No other strikers, no wide men, and no playmakers or number 10s. In fact, after Nuno’s first period of wheeling and dealing, the club appears to have less balance than when he began his shuffle.
Squad Thinner, Not Stronger
The Hammers appear to have gone from three strikers down to two, but presumably we’ll be recruiting some pace and creativity within the next three weeks. Even so, why not wait and hold on to Earthy and Guilherme until the new recruits had been brought in? After all, that is precisely what Fulham have done to West Ham while they await reinforcements.
I suppose there shouldn’t really be any surprise on my part. After all, West Ham are incredibly poor at this buying-and-selling malarkey.
For the record, I’m happy with Taty Castellanos, who looks okay. We may have overpaid for him, but beggars can’t be choosers and we’re probably not an attractive proposition right now. I like his energy and industry, but for long periods against QPR the Argentine had little or no service. Why? Because the squad is unbalanced and there wasn’t a single creative player on the bench.
Of course, West Ham were missing Lucas Paquetá and Mateus Fernandes, but we’ll need more pace, creativity and defenders – and it will need to happen quickly.
Guilherme hasn’t offered anything and Earthy is still unproven, certainly as a wide player. Pablo is a gamble but has a good recent scoring record in a European league and looks physically more robust. We’re not weakened there.
As for Nuno getting his priorities mixed up, you only need to look at the board’s track record. I don’t doubt Nuno has highlighted centre back as an urgent need. But he doesn’t sign the cheques and close the deals.
100% Gonzo. Whoever is in charge of transfers has had months to plan for this window, and it’s great that two new forwards are on board (Not entirely convinced either) but a ball-carrying mid and Central defence are a ‘must have’ if there are any hopes of remaining in the prem.
In my opinion Taty was excellent. The team looked much better going forward and the energy levels from everyone looked much better.He has bright some fight into the team as has Pablo. It was.nice to see him encouraging the fans for support and they responded to him
A great addition
Will need a couple more solid players in defence
Not sure what the problem with Cresswell was, whether it was money or he did not want to come ?? If it was we did not want to pay his transfer fee. I am very disappointed as he is young and would help shore up the defence
The bench yesterday was so weak. Its half way through January nearly.
Sort it out
I’m sure that our highly ambitious, competent, and visionary board are onto it.
That’s onto installing more rusty beer shelves at the stadium, and Baroness Brady will then boast about this “next level” move on social media as she did the last time.
That’s basically the limit of her vision, other than self-indulgent cosmetic procedures.