With West Ham sitting third in the Championship after eleven games, the first couple of months’ experience in the second division has shown supporters, management and board members alike that automatic promotion isn’t the stroll many assumed it would be.
Even with the Irons keeping many of their best players at the club this year, wins have been hard to come by in the world’s most competitive league. Indeed, just six wins from twelve has signalled a sense of dissatisfaction from the terraces and from inside the club.
There are still some pretty hefty salaries being paid to the coach and his senior squad members even taking account of the 50% wage cuts implemented when relegation struck.
Despite record goal scoring, the lack of consistency and certain players’ underperformance has been highlighted.
Key members of Nuno’s West Ham squad are being now singled out for criticism.
Footballinsider’s report this afternoon doesn’t pull any punches:
“I’m told West Ham have been far from impressed with Castellanos so far this season,” [former WH scout Mick] Brown told Football Insider.
Far from happy: One goal in eleven means Taty is getting singled out for criticism
“His performances have been nowhere near Premier League standard, given that’s where they were when they brought him in, and haven’t even been Championship standard.
“If he keeps playing like this and not scoring goals, then he could cost them promotion, because you’re not going to win games with a striker who can’t score goals.”
Does that suggest change is likely in December? £46 million outlay on Castellanos and Pablo last winter shocked us as not one, but two forwards arrived – but neither has lived up to expectation.
Without Bowen, Mavropanos’ and even Soucek’s goals, West Ham would be well and truly scuppered this season. Quite how long mediocrity is accepted is probably not even up to Nuno – who has developed another of his ‘blind spots’ for Pablo despite his solitary goal in 21 league games. Castellanos, likewise, has one goal this season. Neither is doing the job they were expected to do – for how much longer one can only wonder.
The fact that goals have come from all quarters is to be welcomed but there is no room for complacency. No team is going to be promoted from any division without it’s strikers being on form – and this is clearly not the case at WHU and it’s very concerning! If we go up which is by no means certain in my humble opinion, we’ll be coming straight back down with this lot! The January window will be crucial. I’d have Disasi back for sure if we can get him and if our strikers haven’t found form by then we’ll need new blood up front for sure.