The emphasis upon bringing in a couple of proven strikers is undoubtedly correct. Quite simply, we must increase our quality up front going in to the forthcoming run of key fixtures. For me, Benni McCarthy is a good short-term option, he may be 32, but he is experienced, knows where the back of the net is and can do a good job for us, no doubt about it.
Of course the discussion at the moment is dominated by the identity of the £100,000 a week striker. Everyone thinks that it is RVN from Real Madrid and it may well be, but his recent injury record makes me a bit nervous to be honest. The last thing we need is a £100,000 a week striker who is a fixture on the treatment table! No doubt the club will be wise to that one and will ensure that RVN is fit and can contribute fully to the remainder of the campaign.
Anyway, the latest news is that he is concluding a deal with Hamburg, so it may well be academic whether his fitness is a managable risk or not. However, you really cannot fault Sullivan & Gold’s logic in balancing the short-term expenditure on the wages of a player of that proven class against the losses that any possible relegation would bring. The other factor is that a landing a deal for a top draw striker can give everyone at the club a massive psychlogical lift.
If RVN deal does not happen, then perhaps the club will try for Huntelaar from AC Milan? We might just get Huntelaar for the sort of money allegedly offered to RVN, he is unhappy at AC Milan and is apparently open to the idea of a loan to a PL club for the rest of the season. If the deal is only a loan until May, Huntelaar’s people might think it a good opportunity to put him in the PL shop window for next season? Afterall, it worked for Tevez did it not! And no doubt the likes of Sir Alex, Wenger or Benitez will be more than happy to step in once he has proven his PL goal scoring ability at Upton Park!!
The other option in the media is the club bringing in Cavenaghi from Bordeaux. This is a striker that we were linked with before, when he was with Palermo if I recall correctly. He certainly had a reputation as a good prospect when he was in Serie A, but I am not sure what his goal scoring record is like in the French League?
One thing is certain, the club need to land players in this window, difficult although it undoubtedly is. Failure to do so will be met with understandable cynicism by the fans. Particularly against the back drop of the last two or three windows, which were a massive let down. Failure by the new regime to land decent signings will just be seen as just a further disappointment. As such, the club really do need to go the extra mile to make the signings happen.
Whilst the prioritisation of strikers is correct, I would also urge the club not to forget to bring in a decent right-back. I would go for Luke Young at Villa, Paulo Ferreira at Chelski or Justin Hoyte at Boro. I just feel that the defence would look so more balanced and solid with a good quality right-back. Faubert is doing reasonably well, but I just feel that he is vulnerable positionally. He frequently get caught out, letting forwards get on the wrong side of him. He may be ok as a wing-back, where he has extra cover, but I still think he is a bit of a liability, defensively, in a flat back four.
I would also welcome an experienced centre half and goal keeper cover, but I accept that other positions might take priority. I think that Tomkins has really started to come in to his own recently and should finish to the season strongly. The problem here is cover. I have not found Da Costa totally convincing, so far, and Gabbidon has a big question mark over his fitness.
I do not think that we will be relegated. Everything is set up for us to start climbing the table in the coming weeks. The recent performances against Chelski, Arsenal and Villa have been very convincing and shown that the squad has the bottle to get out of trouble. The points are there to be won in the next few matches and we have more quality than the other teams in the bottom half of the table. The addition of 2 or 3 more good quality players will help guarantee a strong finish to what has been a disappointing season.
In conclusion, I see that there is a rumour that Man City will bid £15m for Behrami. Personally, I would not go for it. Behrami is a very important player for us. We probably do currently have too many midfielders, but there are other players in that position that we can move on in the summer, which is the right time to make major decisions on restructuring the squad.
SJ. Chandos.
I said yesterday that the more I hear from the two Davids the more I am warming toward them. I think they really want to be known as the guys who made a difference and turned the club around. Got home tonight to find an email from them which obviously went to all season ticket holders. As they said its the start of a new adventure and, yes, I am looking forward to sharing it with them
I thought the email was a nice touch. obviously it will take more than that to win over the skeptics but if someone suggested we'd get an email from the owners 6 months ago they would have been a laughing stock.
exactly!
They sent the email to everyone registered with the club's website. I got one and I was rather pleased that they have started as they said they would, by engaging with us. I was also a bit skeptical about the Davids and it's still early days but I think they mean it when they say they are leading with their hearts. And they've proven they know how to run a club so I'm cautiously optimistic.
I agree with the need for a right back, however the options you identified to me don't seem to be that great. Alan Hutton is a no-nonsense defender, with outstanding attacking ability and is clearly not in saggy-faced Redknapp's plans.
The striker situation is a lot harder to solve. Hey, if it was that easy to find a goal scorer we would have solved the problem years ago! If the sum of 8 million pounds to be spent in the next week is correct then for me why not take a gamble, whilst balancing it with a sure bet. Now, i'm not quite sure who these would be; possibly Beckford and McCarthy, Chopra and Jo, Fryatt and Huntelaar. I'm not too sure which would be the best for us at this time, but I recon' why not take on two players, bolster the strike force and have cover for injuries rather than going and spending 7 million on Chamakh or Cavenghi.
Agreed Chandos with pretty much everything you say, apart from Justin Hoyte. I have seen him have some spectacularly bad games.
Agree with you about Behrami. He is indispensable. The one midfielder we should look to get rid of in midfield is Noble. He hasn't done it for a couple of years, and I know he is young but seems to be getting worse. With the emergence of Collison and excellence of Parker and Behrami, I just don't see where he fits in.
Agreed also that the new regime need to bring in a couple of strikers as it will make them look quite weak if not. Huntelaar would be great – I would love a marquee signing which is not on loan – this would also give the other players at west ham some real incentive to stay on.
If next season we keep the likes of Green, Upson, Parker, Collison, Behrami, Cole and add a few superb signings we would do very well Im sure.
One more point. West Ham as a team and squad are very curious. I believe we are the only team in the Premiership who can be improved drastically with 2 or 3 signings. Most teams below mid table and some above, need 7 or more to be classed as quality.
My example is this
Green
(RB)
Tomkins
Upson
Illunga
Behrami
Parker
Collison
(LM)
Cole
(CF)
Imagine adding to that team with quality as good as the likes of Parker. We would be a top 6 team.
I agree with your example of postions we need to fill in the coming week. As well as trying to sign quality players in those positions I also think its time to get rid of or sell on some of the rubbish we still have at West Ham. For me the likes of Davenport, Gabbidon, Boa Morte, Jimenez, Stech, Kuracz and Spector need to be shipped out as they dont or will never enhance our team. Perhaps its time for Zola to blood the likes of N'Gala, Spence, Payne and Fry in the way he has done with Hines, Nouble, Collision, Stanislas and Tomkins to find out if they have what it takes to represent the mighty Hammers. That along with trying to sign a back up keeper, right back, left winger and 2 strikers would definitley put west ham on a good foot for the rest of the season. Players in those position i would like to see at upton park are:
Smithies
Hutton or Young or Ferreria
Morten Gamst Pedersen
Huntelaar
Beckford
Have you seen Stech or Kuracz play before you decide they have no future?
Andy – I find myself agreeing with you regularly, but I will say again, Faubert could be a great RB, he is improving all the time and has had a better season than Ilunga who you select.
Left midfield would be Boa Morte for me (another contentious decision) with Stanislas and Diamanti as cover.
Up front, I like Franco with Cole but only short term. Long term, he needs a Rooney alongside him.
Hi Devo
I wrote in recent post that I wouldn't sell Faubert as he is extremely useful should we need a 3 5 2 and has improved recently. I even went on to suggest we keep kovac too as both of them won't command such a high fee but are improving each game and give us great cover. In respect to Faubert, he could possibly even take the right midfield spot at some point. Any players that fill in, are very valuable in that sense.
If I had to pick a player to sell who would command a high fee, and it hurts a little to say it, it would be noble. He just has not improved the last couple of years and if anything has got far worse. Parker, collison and behrami are all to samey to have noble in the team also. Our midfield players are very similar in style I believe
Isn't LBM contract expiring at the end of the season. If it is I would get rid. I never liked him in a WH shirt I'm afraid Devo, and can't see him suddenly improving. He could run, but that's about it. Poor distribution and awful finishing. Not for me, (and I usually agree with your selections too Dev)!
Ray, a year ago i would have agreed, he was shocking but after he turned down Hull he came back and fought for the shirt …
Right now we are screaming to have him back in the side to add some much needed balance to the midfiled and allow us to play a natural 4-4-2 … is it just co incidence that Illunga has been a shadow of the player without LBM in front of him ….
He wasn't spectacular but he did a job … resign him for peanuts and I'd take him along with Faubert, Noble Spectre and Kovac as quality squad palyers …
i think we'll see the departure of Dyer, Jiminez, Gabbidon and alot of youngsters loaned out next season
Spot on,. Tom.
Ray – I know he splits opinion, but I do believe he has been a big miss – i would offer him a 1 year extension.
I am still keen on the 3-5-1-1 (or 2)
Green
Da Costa/Gabbidon
Tomkins
Upson
Faubert
Collison
Behrami
Parker
Boa Morte/Ilunga/Daprela
Diamanti/Franco
Cole
Players that would strengthen the squad in the right positions?
Young
Pedersen
Gudjohnsen/McCarthy
Agreed Chandos with pretty much everything you say, apart from Justin Hoyte. I have seen him have some spectacularly bad games.
Upson to Villa for Young and Collins back. Adriano with Boyd, Altidore or Beckford.
I don't rate Altidore enough to go for him at this point in time. I live in Hull and have seen him a few times. He's too young (20 y.o.) and raw to risk in such a crucial time. He's not scored in 15 games (not all starts I admit) for Hull this season .
Cavenaghi has scored 39 goals in 79 matches for Bordeaux (in 2 and a half seasons) according to wikipedia. Was at spartak moscow before Bordeaux, and Rover plate before that. Aged 26.
Yeah but this season he's scored 1 in 11.
Are you mad?? £15mm for behrami , I would bite their hand off!!!
No doubt DS has been busy trying to wheel and deal today..
Gudjohnsen is likely to be one of the strikers at the top of Zola's wish list. I wonder if he is a target? RVN playing up front with Carlton Cole also sounds very promising but as you say £100k a week would represent a big gamble.
The Evening Standard have linked West Ham with Luke Young who they say would favour a move back to London, I think that would be a good signing.
Behrami – £15m? – that one is a difficult call.
Is this going to be another 200 plus comments of naming every player in Europe? Have fun if that's your kind of thing. Personally I think it's pretty pointless. We get who we get. I blame Sky Sports News, this kind of gossip and rumour never happened before they came along. Sooner they get rid of stupid transfer windows the better. See you when this one is over.
Whatever happens if we are to get a player signed and registered for playing Pompey something should be happening in the next day of so. I wouldn't be happy giving Gudjonsen 100k a week, not just for the fact that he has hasn't scored a goal for Monaco yet but mainly for the fact that he has rejected us for about 5 windows now.
I hope we don't sign Gudjonsen full stop. You woul dhave to query his motives for coming to us and what sort of form he is in.
The stiker situation is vital at the minute as we do have cover for ilunga and faubert with daprela and spector so this is why we must look at bolstering our attacking force, this is not just add thickness but to also allow players to have much needed rests during matches, I think that it is good to be honest that sullivan has stated that we are going to give 100 k a week for a player as at least he is telling us, he hasn't mentioned the name which is good and other teams cannot hijack our bid, I think one of the players will be a very good signing whilst the other striker will be general backup, i think RVN joining will be great as not only will he be a hit again in the prem but he can help cole teach the younger lads. But who knows who we wll get, a rb is also assential and me for hutton fits the bill as he is a no nonsense defender, 2 strikers and a rb will be a great end to the transfer window whilst keeping hold of all our players, if we only get one striker but he is good the nthat is fine but i have a lot of faith in these two to do some very good bussiness. Keep the faith.
The only full back would be Ferreira of Chelsea,solid,Valon to Citeh for Wright-Phillips and Petrov ,forwards Beckford,Moses and Shelvey.
After all these years of West Ham taking merciless crap in the media at least we have owners who are fighting back,well done boys great work we are all behind you!
I think you have gotten Edison Cavani, the Palermo player, mixed up with Fernando Cavanaghi who as you said plays for Bordeaux. We have been linked to Cavani before but the Cavanaghi link looks fresh… Can’t see it happening personally as they are in the last 16 of champs league but one can hope!
Loan Danny Welbeck from Manu Before Preston do!
Signing a striker who's never played in the Prem, in the January window especially, is always going to be a huge risk. G & S are businessmen who's job it is to minimize the risk. For that reason I think it probably was RVN they were bidding for. The risk there, however, was that he's been out through injury lately.
I also think it a huge mistake to let out that the player target will earn £100K. The rest of the senior players in the squad will think they've had a kick in the teeth – staying loyal to their club through tough times to be rewarded by having to watch a mercenary come in and earn twice, or five times in Rob Green's case, as much as them. Not a particularly skilful motivational technique.
Agree with you in regards to Sullivan's ridiculous leak about offering 100k a week to a new player on loan. Stupid.
Rob Green being on 20k a week is a joke (well not really) any other prem team could offer him that. He needs a decent offer put on the table asap. If someone walks in on 100k a week and his situation isn't addressed I think he'll be a lost cause. It will be similar to the Tevez Berbatov situation where a player feels undervalued/unsulted and no amount of money will make him wish to extend.
If Green and Upson are that good and want more money they should become consistent with their performances at least if it is money they are chasing they will be rewarded by the club if we want them.
AS DS said in the Takeover interview the Midfield is over subscribed, however ALL other areas need strenghening. 2/3 players in this window if possible at the right price and a complete overhaul with younger long term replacemnets in the summer. Yes we are aware that time is against us, but DO NOT underestimate DS things will happen next week and possibly one in before Tuesdays game at P'mouth. This window is a short term stop gap to enable us to climb the table and stay in the PL ready for next season.
I agree with most comments above. Obviously we lack scoring goals, thus we need a quality striker. However, we're all aware what position we're in and therefore it's not easy to attract top world class strikers that may be available (and affordable). When Sullivan states he's willing to splash 100 k a week on a player (despite being a free agent) he's – imo -a nutter. I can see the point if signing this particular striker guarantees PL football next season (only if we're talking a short term contract of 6 months/til end of season), but ….why continue the silly financial path of the islandics? Yes, we need a striker and better be sooner rather than later! I also believe a solid RB is a MUST, and I'd also like to see a goal scoring midfielder. As for strikers I could see a player like Klaas Jan Huntelar doing well under Zola/Clark. Also Bobby Z would be good – if he can continue his current form!?! Otherwise I'd look to the Dutch or German league – these players seem to adjust better to the PL than players from Spain or Italy – imo. RB – a cheap option could be Lars Jacobsen from Blackburn. A Danish international and good at the back, as well as good in going forward.
If Behrami or Upson leaves…..to be honest….than fair enough – gives us a bit of cash and if the money is right we can easily replace them. Although the club need someone who can adapt quickly….after all we don't wanna get relegated.
Also just like to say good luck to Josh Payne on his Loan deal with Wycombe Wanderers. As a Hammers fan living in High Wycombe it would be great to see him help the Chairboys out of their current "Mission Impossible" to stay in Div 1.
Just as an aside do the Div 1 winners get presented with the old Div 1 Trophy that the great Liverpool side of the 70's an 80's, and the one we nearly lifted in '86?"
We have to build round the midfield Parker Behrami collinson & one other.
A lot of club are lookiing at strikers so this will not be easy to find and as for the defence who may also be looking for amove,
One of the more sensible comments since the takeover Fishy. Well done mate.
Thanks Goaty, always try and offer both side of the coin how it is.
I'd also like to see Kieron Dyer break back in to the first team and scare the living daylights out of opposition defences in his own, offensive, skilful and exciting style.
Let's face it. As an opposition right back the last person you'd fancy facing would be KD.
Do you think Dyer's return is a realistic prospect? I'm starting to think that his retirement might be more likely from recent reports.
I've no idea if he will ever come back Tony – Just hope so fella.
Criticise the past regime for paying stupid wages then make it public you’re prepared to pay someone £100,000 a week.
Shout out that you want to move to the Olympic stadium and bring Premiership football to the masses whilst quietly saying that you dont want to buy the stadium but only lease it.
Let me guess the intention is to sell our beloved home to pay off the debts and rent the olympic stadium at a price less the expected takings at the turnstiles.
And what about the seven year plan for the Champions League, why could that plan not have worked for Brum.
I think everything revolves around something they have no control over & that’s the olympic stadium.
I just want to say what a pleasure it is to read SJ's comments and thoughts. Thank you and keep it up!!
Faubert, Tomkins, Noble, Jimenez are not good enough at this level…I also have doubts about Ilunga…..because I think he has played poorly this season.
Although Tomkins can approve the others are what you see is what you get experienced players and should be replaced.
We need a right back, Centre Back and 2 new strikers….
We should go for players that are available….Ruud Van Nistlerooy is a publicity stunt…. Luke Young, Philip Sendoros, Benni McCarthy and Robbie Keane would be great additions for the team
how can you say Tomkins is not good enough at this level but Sendoros is?
tomkins has been one of our best players of late and sendoros is rubbish. i also think Keane would cost to much but would be a brilliant signing.
I agree. I'm really encouraged to see how hard Tomkins is working on his game. He's learning quickly and has made great strides. Still a way to go but the sleepyhead from earlier in the season is gradually sharpening up and developing nicely. I hope he can focus on doing the simple things well as he continues to grow in stature, gaining confidence and playing a big role in our climb up the table.
Faubert is good enough, Tomkins could be top class and Noble is proven at this level, although he has lost his form and should be cashed in IMO, while he is still rated by other clubs.
As for Jiminez………..I agree!
I don't agree with SJC that it would be a huge let down not to be able to sign anybody in this window. A week ago, if someone had offered me the garauntee that we'd keep our mainstay players – all of them – and sign no one, I'd have biiten their arm off. 3 days after a takeover and we're talking about players coming on a free but costing 100k in wages. How things change!
Right striker at right price – fine. Hostage to fortune? No thanks.
Suspect it'll be McCarthy and I'll take that gladly.
For me, Behrami shouldn;t go this window at any price, within reason. Agree with those citing Noble as the most expendable of our excellent midfield players, tho doubt anyone will come in for him this time around.
Spot on Headmaster. I always said I'd never let money change me but it has, I want them all mwahahaha!! No seriously its been 3 days and I'm hoping for Ruud Adriano McCarthy to turn up when really I should just count my stars that I'll be seeing Parker in Feb.
McCarthy could have joined us instead of going to Blackburn but his agent cocked it up – I’d tell him to do one.
As for those people suggesting Hutton and Beckford – stop it now. We’ve just got rid of Quashie – we don’t want 2 more donkeys on the books.
McCarthy, Ferriera and No Van Nisterooy please. 100k For Van Nisterooy when he is 33 not 23 is just not worth the money and not worth the risk.
Reality check required here for anyone suggesting Kieron Dyer will ever scare any premiership defences again, and I don't take any pleasure in saying that. Obvious ability but his legs are shot, and he will not now get the strength back that he needs to sustain regular premiership football. I would love to be proved wrong, but get real. Look at his record. Only Rocky Balboa makes comebacks that would be equivalent to KD making a real impression for us. Very unlucky, but has turned out to be a complete waste of a lot of money. He may still do a small job for a lower league team, but please don't expect too much for us.
As for the Jan window, I think McCarthy would do a job short term, perhaps with a longer term striker, (I like Piquionne at Pompey), and a RB, Luke Young or Steve Finnan, both available, and we must NOT sell Behrami as he is quite simply one of our very best players and we could not replace him in a week, and by the way, WE NEED TO STAY UP !!!
Well said Ray, I agree regarding Dyer and it was only last week that newsnow were saying he may retire.
Mc Carthy Not sure because he has had a few injuries over the last 2 seasons but if fit I think he could do well along side Cole or Franco.However I to like the look of Piquionne and the right back slot we could do worse than Young or Finnan. Mind you if villa are in the mood to sell, Warnock would sort out the LB slot.
Cheers E1. I agree about Warnock too but that Manager of theirs has hid head in the clouds so he'd probably ask for about 10 million for him! Looking forward to Tuesday as I'm going to see the Hammers in the flesh for the first time this season I'm ashamed to say. I'll make up for it though! COYI
ERR………………..SORRY GUYS but Karen Bradey is talking in The Sun about how she would love to rename us West Ham Olympic!!!!!!! I hope this is just a very very bad dream and I'm sleep typing right now.
I think we should go for either keane or McCarthy and also RVN or Klaas Jan Huntlaar on loan, would be great adittions to the sqaud. Any type of bussiness will do wether it is a loan or buying a player, we just need players in who will make an impact immediately, those saying van the man doesn't have it anymore just look at his gaol ratio for each season, only benzema and the other striker is preventing his place in adrids team to be honest, he would be a 'star' signing in my opinion, cole and van nistelroy with diamanti sitting behind and parker supporting with behrami and collison down the wings, the threat is clear already, RVN knows the deal with the prem and i think he would guarentee us goals, Keane and McCarthy also will offer good value to the club as they both konw where the goal is but we really need a goal pocher and KJH and RVN fit the bill in my opinion.
Ok im really happy with the two Davids coming in to the club its like a breath of fresh air and like supporting another club with honesty in the press conference.
We found out in 30 mins listening to the Davids more than we have ever been told in the last 30-40 years by the owners its great to hear and im sure all you Hammers will agree with me.
part 2 to follow
Wayne, I think some of what was said may have been a little 'over stretched' shall we say, especially with regard to the amount of debt we have, but otherwise I agree that the open nature was a breath of fresh air. We are not used to being told the facts as West Ham supporters so I'm struggling how to deal with it! As many have said, time will tell
OK RVN for me its a smoke screen something i thought was never going to happen! For a start he wasnt named and im glad he is going to hamburg unless it had been a pay as you play deal! For me Huntelaar good player yes but he has only done it in the dutch league and flopped in spain and italy at 2 of the biggest clubs in the world it could go either way with him coming to west ham 10 goals now till the end of the season or we play him and he flops here and he will end up getting dropped for franco. for me id be happy to go for someone like Mcarthy cheap price half decent wages and someone raw like Beckford to come of the bench then we can concentrate on getting a decent right back and centre back cover ( why Da costa was dropped is beyond me in the first place) hutton or luke young and senderos from the goons he cant become that bad a player over night can he? what ever happens its gona be exciting keep the faith up the hammers Oh P.S. the future is bright its claret n blue
I am going to be contentious here … I think the £100 000 PW wages is a blag to woo the fans … I think Beatie and McCarthy will come in and do a job … there maybe an abundance of midfielders but we have no balance without a natural left footer … LBM needs to be replaced to allow us to play 4-4-2 …
As for Rip van nistleroy … yeah whatever … and Huntalaar … like there gonna come on loan to us right now … nice thought but nahh it ain't gonna happen … it I'm to be perfectly honest I'd spalsh money on Robbie Keane and take Babble from the scousers on loan …
One thing that surprises me in this debate about our needs for a striker, is that I have not seen the name of Nouble mentioned once. I know he is still raw and inexperienced but his performance, on his own with no support at all in the past two matches, does make me wonder what impact he could start to have with an experienced attacker, such as CC or Franco, alongside him . Am i the only one who believes that this young man could make an important, very low cost, contribution to helping to resolve our striker problem and should be given the opportunity?
I think just as we're in a pickle right now we'll go with safety first. I'm sure next year he'll have a great chance to shine along with Hines. I don't think for that reason there much point in someone like Beckford being persued as our youngsters are as good if not better than anybodys.
You're right, he could amke a difference but it would be an enormous gamble and one the club wont want to make. He has yet to get a premiership goal and to ask him to kick five or six during the run in would be hoping a bit much I think. But he has great potential, that's for sure!
Is there anyway we as fans can get Karen brady out of our club??? She's winding me up already, change our name!?!?
Spot on Pompeyhammer, we don't want our named changed thanks and we don't want someone who writes a column in the sun and fancies herself as "celeb" Stick with your TV work with Lawd Sugar and leave the running of our club to people who care about it.
Nothing changes,the only way of getting anyone in is to offer the mercs 1000's.
ruined football it has.
I think we are really going to struggle to attract anyone.
Zola has done the best he can with the squad he has and considering the injuries we have suffered to key players, such as Cole and Behrami, but the Davids as fans can see what we all have seen for a while, an inbalance in the squad that is crying out for an experienced striker and quality in defense. They have gone about their business urgently and I figure they would have had some ideas about who they want or who they could get before completing the deal. Now though the negotiations gone on at a pace so we can bring in some quality before the window closes. I will wait until the news comes from them or WHU before believing any rumours though and we all know what paper speculation is like, don't we? But splashing the cash on an out of contract striker who is quality makes good business sense to me and I believe the players will understand the whys and wherefores, especially when we are guaranteed Premiership football next season. But saying that, even with the squad we have and the way they are playing, there are some very winnable games coming up. With new owners and a real sense of hope for the future we will do well and maybe finish in a good spot in the first half of the table.
A lot depends on the formation Zola wants to play, I agree that we need to strengthen at the back with a RB and IMO a LB if we are playing 4 4 2. However if we are playing 3 5 2 Fabuert can do the job on the right we need a left footer and a CB.
4 3 3 RB LB and a striker.
Clean sheets are as important as goals in our current position I think.
It is all very interesting and a lot more enjoyable this week to be a Hammers fan
COYI !!!!!!
Good Point there
I was thinking the same yesterday with respect to what major player from midfield would be more indispensable with regard to changing formations for different games. The 442 and the 352.
442 Behrami Parker Noble Collison
352 Faubert Behrami Parker collison Illunga
The 'major player' that comes out from this is Noble. The speculation has been that faubert should be sold, and there is an element of logic to that, but if we think about playing 352 then Faubert for me is almost the perfect player. Illunga would do a great job on the left.
Also – It is not worth selling a player when you are only going to get a couple of million for him. Faubert – £2 or £3 million perhaps. Noble £7 to £8 Million.
Also, Kovac would seem the likely player to be sold too. But then, if you think that he is on quite low wages and will only command a fee of £2 Million then it would not be worth selling him as he has improved immeasurably in recent weeks.
For me – the players to get rid of in summer from midfield are the ones that would reduce the wage bill and bring in some good money. So, Dyer sold or more likely given a free transfer somewhere. Noble sold, to bring in £7 to £8 Million and that money can be invested in the defence and attack.
Other players I would get remove are
Gabbidon (too injury prone) I would take £1 Million for him
Da Costa. Again £1 to £2 Million should not be sniffed at
Spector. I think we will be able to get £3 Million for hiim – especially after the world cup.
Noble
Dyer
Jimenez returns to Inter from Loan.
Sears. Sold for £1.5 Million?
I don't agree about Da Costa. I think he was doing a very good job in the middle. particularly at a time when Tompkins form was below par. I think we must remember the extent to which we have been disrupted by injury in recent times, and make sure we have reasonable cover for all positions. The idea of getting rid of Kovac fills me with horror, he has become a real asset in midfield and is a relatively inexpensive cover in that position.
Totally agree about Kovac. He is becoming a very good player for us. Very surprising as I was becoming scathing of him. His improvement in recent weeks has been quite drastic.
Agree on Kovac – he also gives Parker more room to get forward which really improves our options.
New Report from tribalfootball.com:
West Ham United are moving for AC Milan striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
The Sun says West Ham are turning to Huntelaar – after being snubbed by Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Hammers new owners David Sullivan and David Gold offered the Real Madrid hitman £100,000 a week to join but he has signed for Hamburg.
That puts Huntelaar, 26, top of the Hammers wishlist but Arsenal and Spurs are also in the hunt.
Hammers co-chairman Gold said: "He's a top player and its important to get a striker in before the window slams shut.
"We might have to pay between £70,000-£100,000 a week for a short loan period for the right person."
Well what a difference a week makes,like some have already commented on i'm just glad no one is leaving a few days ago we would of all jumped at that.AS for signings i think the 100,000 grand thing is maybe not a smoke screen but more a statement of intent it's sort of 'were here alive and kicking'.I really think if we only get McCarthy i think that will be ok as we've got Cole,Franco and alittle later Hines coming and also the emergence of Nouble we should have enough,and to be honest it's been conceeding goals that has been more of a problem this season i think but even that hes improved recently,so a striker and a right back and maybe one other defender would great.Our season is going to be defind by these next 5 games get 12 points from these games and we'll be fine,so here's to happier times ahead:D COYI!!
Hi mate
I actually think the main priority here is the attack more than defense. We only have to look at the Arsenal game recently. We were the better team and had half a dozen fantastic chances with none taken. That is only going to increase pressure on the defense. Arsenal won the game very late on after only having a few chances all game and Smug Arsene Wenger tells the world that he knew it would be OK and "we just had to be patient"
We would have won that game against Arsenal by 3 goals or more if we had a half decent attack that day. So, the priority has to be the attack, and that will take an awful lot of pressure off the defense. If we actually let a goal in, then it won't matter quite as much as we have banged in a few at the other end
Lets hope for a big marquee signing over the next couple of days
Andy it' s all down to opinion and an ideal result would be two strikers and two defenders in before the window closing,worth pointing out we did only have Nouble upfront in that game and were down to the bear bones.But G&S are right the squad is very unbalanced something we've all said for a long time so the sooner thats rectified the better.Massive game on Tuesday pompy play in the cup today so thats def going to take a lot out of a very over streached side so hopefully we can take advantage of that,maybeit was a good thing being knocked out of the cup.
Yep I agree. I really hope it's a tough one for them today
Sounds terrible does'nt it i really do feel for pompy but there misfortune has to be our fortune.
Rumours this morning about us being renamed West Ham Olympic if we move to the new stadium. I’m sure this is going to annoy some
COYI FZC&BA
people but in my view if it helps us push forward into the new stadium increases revenue then can only be a good thing. We will always be known as West Ham no matter what is put on the end of it. In my view it won’t make one jot of difference…. Cue the thumbs down
All it is is a rebranding exercise that may make us globally more attractive,smart thinking,we are a brand in a competitve marketplace that globally rewards are enormous.MONEY<MONEY<MONEY!
Karen Bradey can stick her name change.
Karren Brady, not for the first time, is talking without thinking or doing any research.
We could never be re-branded as Olympic West Ham.
The word Olympic is one the most heavily guarded by copyright law. The US Olympic committee have it nailed down and have a full time team dragging companies, sports teams and even fish a chip shops through the courts should they dare use the dreaded O word.
The Gay Olympic Games of 1987 were even prevented from using the word Olympic after a famous, expensive and lengthy legal case.
.The Olympic copyright ruling, however, does not apply to any businesses or sporting clubs registered before Sept. 21, 1950.
Therefore teams like OlympicOlympic Marseilles, who were formed in 1899 , are in the clear.
I have just been reading about a small firm in Chicago called the Olympic Meat Packers Inc. They have been in business for 40 years but were forced to change their name to the Olympus Meat Packers Inc. The American lawyers will have a field day in London once they have finished with the good people of Vancouver during the Winter Olympics. I half expect them to sue any cafes putting five onion rings on a plate. Typical over-the-top Yanks, in my opinion.
So we have no worries about being re-branded West Ham Olympic.
This is the first utterance from Ms Brady…let's hope the next time she speaks it is less provocative and more informed.
Rool…thank you for your considered and friendly response.
Have a nice day
Rool
This blog is to discuss and share opinions, we have differing views and we debate. If you are unhappy with this please take your insults and limited vocabulary elsewhere.
New thread posted on this subject.
Well consider me a kneejerk twat and a moaner. Personally while I'm happy to wait and see, I don't think it's been an auspicious start by the new owners. From portraying our current, admittedly dire, financial state in the worst possible light in order to show themselves as knights in shinig armour, to publicly offering a player £100K a week in wages, (even if a smokescreen it won't do much for the dressing room I imagine, remember Green's comments?), to Brady's 'West Ham Olympic'. From WHU to WHO?!! However off the cuff she's not stupid and must realise the way these comments will be taken.
Considering less than 10% of people on this site actually wanted Gold and Sullivan I think the response this week has been exceptionally open minded. I hope they are great for the club and am sure they will do their best and leave the club in a better state than it is now. I'm just not going all dewy eyed because Sullivan cried on Talksport, that's all.
All this talk of the worlds top strikers coming for a relegation scrap is ridiculous.
Totally agree Chris it's not going to happen and to be honest it's not what we need,just some one with a proven track will do fine.
sorry ChrisChris disagree with you, footballers will follow the money, so if a good striker is offered a lot of money to help save us in a world cup year and there is nothing from the big boys on the table I know where I would go, where the money and greatest opportuniy of getting myself noticed is, ie re Tevez in 2007 (other nonsense aside of course.
I see Brady is already putting her clodhoppers right in it; that is one of the trio I really dreaded more than any other at The Boleyn. We were West Ham United a long time before she arrived and will be a long time after she’s gone.
Chrischris. I don't actually agree on this one. Imagine you are Huntelaar who every game sits on the bench, all the while knowing that the World cup in coming up, and you need to impress.
Your agent gets a call to say that a Premiership team is interested in you, will pay you £80,000 a week, you will play every game. The style of football will also suit you and their position does not tell the whole story. With you in the team they can finish 8th or 9th in the league and you can impress enough to force your way into the team for the World cup.
My only concern would be that Tottenham come in for him and match the wages. If that is the case then he will go to the scum. He might not be guaranteed first team football there either. Also, if Tottenham don't offload Pavlyuchenko, they can't commit to buying anyone else.
West Ham should definitely try to bring in someone of his class. We spend £1.5 Million on wages until the rest of the season and then wave goodbye in the summer.
Everyone is happy. The money we have saved in not buying a mediocre player for vastly inflated prices would then be put towards purchasing just the striker we need in the summer window – when there are a large pool of players to choose from.
another club above comes in,you took the words right out my mouth andy!
Sky Sports News Latest:
Reports in spain are claiming that Ruud Van Nistelrooy has undergone a medical with Hamburg and will complete his move to the Bundesliga club from Real Madrid on monday.
Looks like he is out of the question now but it might not have been him we were after, Huntlaar could well be the man we want as he wants away from Milan on loan and we need a striekr, Perfect. If only things were that simple.
Looks like Eidur Gudjohnsen is on his way – lets hope lots of goals are forthcoming.