West Ham’s signing of Malick Diouf has to be seen as a positive indication that Graham Potter and Kyle Macaulay know how to identify talent.
The 20-year-old wing-back claimed the Man of the Match award in last night’s win over Bournemouth following a hugely promising display.
The Senegalese defender is, so far, the only example of the club’s new data-driven recruitment model designed to uncover unknown or undervalued talent. It’s safe to assume that neither Kyle Walker-Peters nor Callum Wilson were products of that same system.
Of course, it’s just one player—but the signs are encouraging if Macaulay can identify and sign someone who most fans had never heard of just two months ago. West Ham have long had issues with an ageing squad and have historically struggled to make a profit on transfers.
That’s why it seems prudent to give Potter more authority in this area and see what else he and Macaulay can conjure up.
With the team still crying out for a top-class goalkeeper and a dynamic midfielder, surely now is the time to back the manager—and his right-hand man—with their own picks.
Would love it to happen. Can’t see it happening with Sulivan in charge
Game last night against Bournemouth we were lucky not to be 2 goals down or more by half time how irons won 2 0 I want midfield with a bit of pass we have it out wide let’s get A player please we r the ironsesess
The way we’ve done business doesn’t seem to have changed much despite different managers and recruitment teams coming and going.
Couldn’t agree more Gonzo. Diouf was outstanding against Bournemouth and exactly what we have been missing with the long deep crosses which led to both goals. Great tracking back and tackles he shows great promise and an international player at just 20 years old. Diouf and Potts were stand out players and excited to see them thrive alongside Pacqueta. Excellent signing and just shows its time to give Potter and MacCaulay more authority on transfers.
We just go around in circles. On the strength of one potentially positive signing we are singing the praises of a New Recruitment Approach. At the same time, having identified what appears to be a very good GK prospect, we are now dithering again while we look at a bargain basement 29 year old Brazilian. Then we resurrect the story that we have no money to buy anyone, quickly followed by a rebuttal to the effect that we do actually have cash. Potter is allegedly committed to reducing the average age and signs a 33 year old. If the signing of Diouf is a positive indicator, what is the signing of Wilson? Meanwhile everyone and his mother is screaming for midfield reinforcements but nothing absolute there either. Four weeks to go before the club can blame the closing of the transfer window as being the reason we missed the boat again.
Still need a younger striker too.