The seismic changes taking place at London Stadium continue unabated. Only five weeks ago we were nearly all criticising the club for slow progress in the transfer window, owing to the silence which had followed Luis Guillerme’s recruitment early on.
How little we knew of the drama that was to unfold after the Copa America and Euro 2024 competitions had completed.
In order to assess the impact which the stunning recruitment campaign launched successfully by West Ham United and Technical Director Tim Steidten, we need only remind ourselves of the team which started the first game of the Premier League last season, away at Bournemouth, and how it will differ from the team Lopetegui is likely to send out next week against Aston Villa.
Last Season: Areloa | Coufal, Zouma, Aguerd, Emerson| Soucek, Fornals, Benrahma|Paqueta,Bowen Antonio
This Season – Who Knows how Lopetegui can get them all in! Possible: Areola, |Coufal, Kilman, Todibo Emerson, Rodriguez, (normally Alvarez?) Paqueta | Bowen Kudus Summerville | Fullkrug
Cue the debate – I’m not proposing one set up against another so knock yourselves out in the comments box. And likely a new Right Back will still join to replace Coufal -if you pro-Coufal readers can stomach me saying that without getting too ‘disgusted.’
Aside from the hundred million plus spent, the improvement in quality is astounding. I loved watching our struggles sometimes last season as only a lifelong Hammer can but at times the metronomic ‘side-side-back’ play left me shouting at the screen or the spectator in front of me.
And when you consider the bench we will be able to put out, this West Ham United is a very different club. Give the team and Head Coach til Christmas to sort it all out then we will be flying high.
Factor in the likely upgrade still to come at right back / wing back – which would then facilitate Jo’s preferred 3 central defenders option – and we have a very different team indeed. West Ham, we have the Wow factor. To quote Talk Sports, ‘Be careful what you wish for, West Ham..’
Strength on the bench will be a big difference too, we’re not just a stronger team but a stronger squad too. The biggest strength has to be Steidten though. It’s Rodriguez not Dominguez is an easy mistake to make.
Yep, I thought Tim had sneaked another South American in completely under the radar for a minute.
Oops. At least I can prove wrong those who claim this site is written by AI!
I’m sure the usual suspects are crossing their fingers for a couple of heavy defeats for us so they can tell us all “ told you so” but I have to say I feel we a going into this season with the strongest squad we have had for years. Although I would love us to play teams off the park from day one the realist in me says it will take a couple of months before we can expect lopi’s game philosophy and players to gel. That said ,,,very excited for new season
Squad rotation is key…… you know, like Manchester City do well
Does J-Lo use substitutes like Moyes or like Pep? I hope the latter so the bench players get a chance to play every week.
Unlike Moyes J-lo is tactically astute and will make in game changes if he feels things are not working
I hope this means we won’t be on the edge of our seats waiting for the Hammers to blow it! I have been a nervous wreck the last couple of seasons. Maybe we can relax and enjoy some good football!
Lopetegui has benefited from us having a really small squad I think. Plus the 100 million from Rice has helped us with the financial FairPlay and monetary situation. I think we have more high quality players now than I’ve ever known. Top four should be a breeze shouldn’t it? No I doubt it either
My usual expectation of an underwhelming transfer window has been well and truly reversed which, worryingly, has left me hopeful of a decent season.
Looks like a great transfer window to me.
First time commenting here. Lifelong irons fan, now living in Australia. All I can say is that for the first time in many years I am truly excited for the coming season.
Come On You Mighty Irons.
Til I die.
Welcome Chris. Like you I’m life long too and until May living in New Zealand, now in London. I found staying up late just about impossible the last couple of seasons to watch. The season ahead is very exciting now though.
COYI
To see us play Football again and not just sit outside our box week in week out home or away will put a smile back on my face…how will we do this season who knows we are still West Ham after all but you feel the weight has come off our shoulders and a smile back on our faces so COYI and a big thank you to Tim for providing us with a squad and a team that will be worth watching and not feel like a chore you have to do anymore….Jlo it is over to you now and i think hope and pray the days of flogging the same eleven players week in week out are long gone
The signings over the past two months have been more entertaining than watching any match last season.
Signing Todibo is like winning the F.A.Cup.
C’mon you irons.
While I welcome the signings and hope for a more inspiring season, amidst the people knocking themselves out over “Timmy”, we should remember that according to all reports Mavropanos was a Tim Steidten buy and he has hardly set things alight – hence teh need for Todibo
Hopefully all the new signings will click …